Improvements in hotel technology have been enabling properties to think less about the behind the scenes processes and concentrate more on guests. Two years ago about a quarter of US hotels were using pen and paper to manage their properties but, fast forward to 2017 and they are looking…
Juniper Research expects that chatbots will play an increasingly important role in the technical and commercial development of instant messaging (IM) services such as WhatsApp and Snapchat over the next five years or so. However, despite the succession of big name travel companies launching chatbot-based services, the study identifies…
AccorHotels is working with a startup called Travelsify to enable guests to search according to their mood. Travelsify analyses reviews to find the attributes that travellers are looking for when booking an hotel. The ‘MoodMatch’ search, which is being launched this week, will allow guests in France and the…
SITA has linked up with Airbus to provide a cybersecurity service designed specifically for the air transport industry. In 2016, SITA identified cybersecurity as one of its five priorities. Its Airline IT Trends Survey 2016 found that 91% of airlines were planning to invest in this area over the…
Digital destination marketing is taking off on aircraft with the integration of interactive city-guides on in-flight entertainment systems. This enables the booking of tours and events on aircraft with internet connectivity. Airlines and in-flight entertainment and connectivity suppliers large and small are finding new ways to help airlines generate…
This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel devices in April 2017. Saturday 1 April 2107: Marriott commits to virtual reality The chain says that its European, Middle East and Africa hotels that participate in the existing Virtual Planner platform will now be featured on the VPViewer service. The…
Storm Doris caused chaos when it raged through the UK in February. Motorists struggled through the snow, vehicles fell prey to slippery ice-lined roads, and massive trees were uprooted. Now that was a while ago and life has returned to normality but, the same cannot be claimed for the…
Adrenaline Hunter, a platform offering extreme sports and activities, has received an additional €600,000 in funding. The France-based startup initially raised €600,000 in seed funding in late 2015 and hopes to raise a Series A round this summer. This latest round has been contributed by previous investors including Denis…
The three major Gulf carriers — Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates — are developing workarounds to ease the pain and annoyance of the US Department of Homeland Security’s ban on large electronic devices in passenger cabins on some flights. The DHS decreed, much to the annoyance of airlines, that…
One of the most exciting aspects of the hospitality industry is its revolving door of change. Substantial transitions in revenue strategy, industry data and analytical capabilities have resulted in significantly improved performance for limited service hotels over the years. NB: This is a viewpoint by Ryan MacLagan, product manager…