Hospitality Career E-Mag

IHR Goes Mobile - Launches WAP site on Tier II Destinations Discovery

2011-12-30T19:12:00.003+05:30

India hotel Review has recently launched its own much smarter version of online mobile sitewhich in few span of seconds encapsulates the comprehensive data on destinations and hotelson the display screen of the handset.
Just by typing the sites URL name on the address bar ofthe browser that is http://m.indiahotelreview.com the online users will be navigated towards theseries of 4 consolidated themes.

On further click on these 4 consolidated themes, the onlineusers will be directed to destinations where they can search, and book for the particular hotelthey have selected for a stay.Elaborating on the release of IHR’s mobile site , Ankit Rastogi, business head and co-founderof India Hotel Review tells that, “it is completely a WAP site designed to work on all typesof mobile phones. From the minimalist mobile phone user to the GPRS/2G/3G high endusers of smart phones, this site has been modelled to merchandise the destinations & hotelswhose messages can easily be accessed and understood by the amateur mobile phoneuser.

The navigation of IHR’s mobile site is so light, powerful and fast that the users won’tface any hiccups while running it on the wireless handsets instilled with minimum features orapplications. “IHR claims that this is first of its kind mobile site, that mobile internet enthusiasts will be ableto use to discover the humongous no of destinations with affordable hotel options on any kindof handset at fastest rate. It will give access to 12,000 destinations covering 11,000 plus panIndia hotels on mobile. The main intention behind launching this site is to inform, aware andshowcase Indias smallest tourist places with best cheap accommodation options which IHRhas to offer.

Through this proactively designed powerful site, the people could easily access theinformation on lesser known destinations, Tier II and below cities, budget hotels, homestays ,BnB’s , lodges and government properties as well. ”With strongest confounded ground presencein the Tier II hotels and tour booking market, this mobile site launch will further give usdeeper penetration in the market proving the technological edge IHR carries in growing deviceplatforms of Internet” further said an ecstatic Mr Rastogi.

Talking about the home page and its working, the online users will find search box accompaniedby the 4 consolidated travel themes like government, weekend, pilgrimage, and honeymoondestinations. In the real time of few nano seconds, the online users by clicking on the particulardestination will be directed towards the different categories of hotels. By choosing any of themost favored once, the online users will notice the book now option on their display screen. Thebook now option consists of booking small booking form, filling which the aspiring travelers canbook the hotel instantly.

As an alternate feature to book now option, the interested individualcan also call the travel counselor to book the hotel on the particular check-in and check outdates. Speaking on the conclusive note, Ankit Rasotgi said that in the coming days IHR will beadding like travel guides, articles, and tour packages followed by a more sophisticated mobileapplication for the same cause.

IndiaHotelReview.comHitesh Chandna01204666408contact@indiahotelreview.comhttp://www.indiahotelreview.com

Leveraging Technology to Improve Efficiency in the Hospitality Sector

2011-11-05T14:56:00.002+05:30

Leveraging Technology to Improve Efficiency in the Hospitality Sector

New Marriott mobile app a hit

2011-09-14T22:29:00.001+05:30

Since its soft launch on August 5, Marriott International’s new cross-brand mobile phone application has been downloaded over 200,000 times and it cracked the iTunes top 10 list for free apps, where it remained on Thursday.

The new application works on iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices and allows users to search any location worldwide for a Marriott hotel, book a room, access rewards accounts, check upcoming reservations and get hotel details, including photos. It also has links to online features such as city guides.

While that may seem like a long list of functions, it’s actually much less than what Marriott initially thought the app needed. However, after testing with consumers it became clear that less was more in terms of user experience.

“Everything that we have and things that will come in the future are based on thorough consumer research. We worked on a list of features and had as much as 212 things we wanted to provide in mobile, and we really boiled that down in development,” said George Corbin, Marriott International vice president of e-commerce strategy. “What customers said was 'that’s nice, but we really only need these things.' There is with the mobile customer an immediacy and urgency to what they need done.”

While Marriott is not releasing hard data on development costs, Corbin said the company anticipates recouping the investment soon via direct bookings made with the app. “You’ve got a major channel to the customer. You can recoup investments pretty quickly,” Corbin said. “Any booking that comes to us from our own channels is the cheapest channel to do business on.”

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X2 Computing unveils SmartMenu concept

2011-09-12T22:08:00.002+05:30

X2 Computing has announced that its new SmartMenu concept, which allows consumers to order "at-the-table", is now available to hospitality operators.
The new solution has been devised in order to meet the demands of family dining and other high-intensity hospitality services, such as hotel room service.

It is anticipated that, following current trials of wireless ordering solutions, SmartMenu will allow for the delivery of faster service and increased food/beverage revenues of 63 per cent.SmartMenu incorporates the design of a normal menu, with diners able to make their order from the table without need for waiting staff. It can also help streamline the billing process.

X2 hospitality development manager Mark Tutton said: "SmartMenu has been developed in response to requests from our clients for solutions that deliver higher revenues, faster service and enhanced customer delight ratings at an affordable price without having to change their business model.

"This latest addition to our portfolio of 'at-the-table' solutions addresses all these business requirements, enhances the whole family dining experience and, with each menu costing just a few pence each per day, gives an immediate return on investment."Details: www.x2computing.com

Hilton gets 100,000 hotel bookings from mobile apps

2011-08-04T22:49:00.001+05:30

Speaking at the latest Cornell Hospitality Research Summit (CHRS) in the United States, Hilton’s senior VP of corporate strategy Kevin Jacobs said the hotel group had “gone all in” with its social mediastrategy, which included a focus on mobile applications.

“Since over 80 per cent of Hilton’s guests travel with a mobile device and 40 per cent use it to search travel, mobile apps make sense,” he said.

Hilton’s mobile apps have seen more than 340,000 downloads, he added, and guests used them to book well over 100,000 room-nights in 2010, with revenue up 200 per cent.

CHRS last month published its summit proceedings, which include key points from presentations made by Jacobs and other hospitality industry experts at the summit held in October 2010.

Social media for hotels

Presentations revealed that many hotels in the United States and globally have embraced social media outlets, while others are not represented at all.

Mobile applications were highlighted as one of the most important areas of focus for hotels, since travellers expect to use their mobile devices to book rooms or other travel services on the spot.

“Hospitality operators must integrate their marketing efforts with social media – a process which will require new approaches to marketing,” said Glenn Withiam, director of publications for the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research.

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TECH | Hotels use RFID chips to keep linens from checking out

2011-07-31T00:14:00.000+05:30

To keep robes and towels from checking out, a small but growing number of hotels are starting to use new radio frequency chips to keep track of their inventory.

The RFID technology — which stands for radio frequency identification and requires an installed chip that can be read by an electronic reader — has been used by various industries for several years to organize product storage and tally shipments.

With cotton prices rising and fewer employees in housekeeping, hotels are using the tech to monitor the whereabouts of bathrobes, bed sheets, duvet covers, bathmats, pool towels and banquet linens.

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Hilton debuts first iAd campaign

2011-07-28T20:50:00.001+05:30

Hilton Hotels & Resorts launched “Stay Hilton, Go Everywhere,” which is the company’s first iAd campaign.

iAd is Apple's mobile advertising network that engages millions of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users through their applications. Hilton is utilizing the campaign to showcase virtual vacations at nine Hilton properties around the world, including hotels in Egypt, India, Mexico and the Seychelles. The campaign features Twitter and email integration, photography and downloadable wallpapers.

"We continue to leverage the latest technologies to share the Hilton story with today's tech-savvy travelers," said Dave Horton, global head at Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "This iAd reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of our brand as one that ventures beyond the norm to ensure it stays as relevant today as when it was first created."

The company said it would measure the success of the campaign by the amount of engagement between users and the advertisements, including time spent viewing them, wallpaper downloads and sharing through Tweets and email. The amount of money being spent on the campaign is not being disclosed.

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IHG launches Windows Phone application

2011-07-24T23:04:00.000+05:30

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has rolled-out the Priority Club Rewards application for Windows Phone users, following the successful launch of its iPhone booking apps.

The new application will allow Windows Phone users to find and book hotel rooms; check prices; and view or cancel reservations across the seven IHG brands.

It forms part of its mobile strategy, with IHG having reported nearly 1,000 per cent growth in room bookings from mobile devices and has already surpassed 2010's total number.

Matt Luscombe, IHG senior vice president for sales and marketing, EMEA, said: "Creating a booking app for Windows Phone is an essential part of our mobile strategy, as we continue to develop our mobile booking options for our 58 million Priority Club members."

Todd Brix, senior director at Windows Phone Marketplace, Microsoft Corp, added: "IHG's Priority Club Rewards app is a great example of the rich applications that people will find on Windows Phone Marketplace."

Find out how leading international hotel group, Kempinski, is ensuring effective talent management

2011-07-24T22:50:00.003+05:30

International hotel group Kempinski is identifying and nurturing its next generation of high potential managers with the help of a talent management solution from Cezanne Software.

Developing the talents of employees has always been a high priority for Kempinski, but the top management team recognised a more strategic and sophisticated approach would be required to support the group’s ambitious growth plans. The luxury hotel specialist already employs 17,000 people across the globe and is part-way through a period of expansion which will see it double in size by 2015.

In the fast-moving hospitality industry, employee turnover is typically high and particularly in the top tiers of management, good people are at a premium. The business needs to make sure it is retaining the best people and developing a pipeline of talented managers who will fulfil the organisation’s resourcing needs and business growth going forward.

“Kempinski is a rapidly growing company and we need to foster innovative and multi-cultural people management,” says Reto Wittwer, President and CEO.

“We believe our people are the key to our success as they are the ones, after all, delivering our brand promise to our guests. In the hospitality business, looking after people is of strategic importance.”
Maximising the potential of existing employees is particularly important, given Kempinski’s strong emphasis on a values-driven approach to leadership. It has a distinctive management style, quite unlike that found in other leading hotel chains, and needs people who are a good cultural fit and have the ‘Kempinski DNA’.

Henrike Gosemann, Kempinski’s VP Talent Development points out that one of the key advantages of Cezanne’s talent management system is that it enables the business to see the wider impact of any promotions or transfers it may be considering. “We are able to see a succession tree, so while we might have found the right candidate for one hotel, we might see that moving them out of their current role could create a bigger gap. This insight allows us reconsider and look elsewhere,” she explains.

Julie Windsor, Operations Director at Cezanne Software says: “Cezanne Software worked closely with Kempinski to understand its requirements and configure a system to meet the organisation’s specific needs. With many years’ experience of delivering global talent management solutions we are in an ideal position to help other leading brands manage their talent successfully.”

Click here to read the Kempinski case study in full - http://www.cezannesw.com/contact/kempinski.aspx

About Kempinski
Kempinski‘s portfolio of 65 luxury hotels spans Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Switzerland, the group now employs over 17,000 people across the globe. The business is part-way through a period of rapid expansion which will see it double in size by 2015.

About Cezanne Software

Cezanne Software is a leading supplier of global talent management and HR software solutions. Headquartered in the UK, Cezanne Software has over 6 million employees under management and Cezanne’s solutions reflect over 25 years of delivering service excellence to companies worldwide.
The company’s integrated suite of talent management applications includes systems for career and succession planning, employee performance management, survey, training administration and pay review and reflect many years’ experience of working with clients, independent consultants and academics at the forefront of best practice in talent and HR management.

Cezanne Software’s focus is to provide flexible, people-centred solutions that improve the day-to-day execution of business strategies, help drive critical employee performance and reward processes and enable companies to achieve and sustain a competitive talent advantage

For more information, please visit: http://www.cezannesw.com

TECH | Hi-tech take-out restaurants: Making ‘fast food’ real fast

2011-07-17T20:05:00.002+05:30

Tapingo provides business owners with the easiest and most convenient way around to take orders from the outside.

There’s a problem with fast food: It’s really not that fast! By the time you drive out to a coffee shop or burger joint, find parking, get out of the car, wait in line and pay for your food, you might as well have gone home and whipped yourself up a sandwich.

How’s this for an idea: You order your breakfast or lunch from your favorite joint while you’re on the road – via your cellphone, using an app called Tapingo, which displays restaurants, menus, prices and everything else you need to know. You tap in your choices (of course, you’ve stopped the car and are parked on the shoulder while you’re doing this) and then put in your credit-card details. Once you’ve ordered, you drive to the restaurant, double park (check for traffic cops first), run in and grab the bag that has your name on it – and drive away with your meal to enjoy it at your home, office or even the beach.

Now that’s how fast food should work, and Tapingo, says Guy Bauman, the company’s vice president for marketing, wants to enable fast-food fressers in Israel, and around the world, to get their breakfasts, lunches and dinners as quickly and efficiently as possible, without wasting an excess moment on the operation.

“It’s another tool for the mobile, on-the-go lifestyle,” he says. “Thanks to services like iTunes, people have gotten used to buying products over the phone. Why not bring that same concept to ordering food?” Ease of use – both for consumers and restauranteurs – is the “secret sauce” Tapingo brings to ordering in.

“Whether at the office or at home, it’s become natural for consumers to use their cellphones for nearly all their communication needs, even where a desktop computer is available,” Bauman says. “Tapingo shows users their dining options in the area, lets them browse for menu choices all from one app – already a big time saver.

“And they can order and pay via credit card, using the information they put into the app when they set it up, saving even more time, without the need to fumble for their wallets while speaking on the phone to an order taker.”

The price is clear, and so is the order and the expected delivery times, so there are no misunderstandings on either side.

It’s a great deal for restauranteurs too, Bauman says, adding: “The best part for business owners is that they don’t have to install any new hardware. The application feeds the orders into the establishment’s existing order system, with the menu choices and payment information going straight to the restaurant’s point-of-sales system.

The order gets processed in the kitchen and delivery department in exactly the same way as an order placed by someone standing at the cash register.”

It’s like found money – actually, found business – for restaurants, he says, because it expands their potential customer reach to anyone using Tapingo.

Other services that try to connect Web or cellphone users exist, Bauman says, but all of them are a hassle for restauranteurs to integrate into their business because they require special (and often expensive) equipment, phone codes or faxes.

“Tapingo provides business owners with the easiest and most convenient way around to take orders from the outside,” he says.

As an app, Tapingo has been around for a few months, but it became ready for prime time only in the past few weeks. Currently available for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry, Tapingo’s first target area is the business district of central Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. Dozens of restaurants offering delivery service in the area are included, and you can sort restaurants by type (Chinese, cafe, kosher, etc.).

Prices and choices are listed, and when you order, you’re asked to insert your credit-card information (the system is very secure and accepts Paypal as well). Press send, and either sit back and wait, or amble on down to the restaurant to pick up your lunch or dinner – no waiting, guaranteed! One other great feature, Bauman adds, is that the entire application – including the menu items, prices and restaurant information – is available in English, even if the actual menus in the restaurant are only available in Hebrew.

“There’s a great deal of interest among restaurants to join us,” he says. “Our fees are very easy for them to swallow. Basically, it’s a form of revenue sharing, whereby if we get them business, we take a small percentage of the sale. Otherwise it costs them nothing, and customers pay the same whether they order via Tapingo or at the counter.”

First Tel Aviv, then the rest of Israel, and finally – the world, Bauman says, adding: “Within weeks we will be including restaurants in the Sharon, and then [we’ll] move on to Beersheba, Jerusalem and other locations in Israel.”

Tapingo also is planning to go international, he says.

“We’re still working on how to deploy the application, but we’ve begun talks with groups abroad to set up a Tapingo system for them as well,” he says.

And restaurants are just the beginning, Bauman says.

“It’s not just an application, it’s a platform that can be deployed in numerous ways, such as for gifts, flowers, and other markets – any place that has a digital point of sales system,” he says.

Meanwhile, residents, workers and visitors to Tel Aviv – as well as those living in cities where Tapingo will soon expand to – are invited to download the app for free. The Tapingo experience promises to be an eye-opener for those of us who are used to long waits at counters waiting for our “fast food.” Who has time?

Let Tapingo do the waiting for you; you’ll find yourself enjoying your meal a lot more when you don’t have to schlepp to get it!

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Travel Changes, Again!

2011-07-14T15:05:00.002+05:30

Groupon, one of the largest social buying sites in the world, joins hand with Expedia, another biggie in the OTA market to create a new website that will offer 'Travel Deals'

OTAs - Online Travel Agents - have been offering deals for a long time now, but with Groupon's database, knowledge of social buying, this venture just may be the next big change in travel.

Expect super deals that bring hordes of people to a particular location, attraction, city or hotel! Will cities and maybe even countries try and get on it? Maybe. This is going to be one exciting development to watch.

Click here to see the site

TECH | Hilton Worldwide and BT Openzone to Enhance Internet Services

2011-07-02T22:35:00.000+05:30

Hilton Worldwide has entered into a strategic agreement with BT Openzone to provide a fully-managed suite of Wi-Fi and Internet services across hotels in the U.K. and Ireland. The new technology will provide a tenfold increase in bandwidth and an even more consistent, high-quality online experience for guests at nearly 100 Hilton Worldwide properties beginning in Autumn 2011.

This agreement provides guests with BT Openzone Wi-Fi access, high-speed fixed line, conference and event services in more than 17,000 bedrooms, public areas and meeting and conference spaces, including 24-hour customer support. The new Wi-Fi service will be available free of charge to all Gold and Diamond Hilton HHonors members and over five million BT Total broadband customers. BT Openzone users and customers from iPass, AT&T and other BT Openzone roaming partners can also use the service free of charge when visiting the hotels.

"We are committed to providing our guests with access to the very latest technology, complementing our world class hospitality, and are delighted to collaborate with BT Openzone to deliver an outstanding service in the U.K. and Ireland," said Robert Webb, Chief Information Officer, Hilton Worldwide. "This deal builds on last year's agreement with AT&T in the United States and Canada as we look to partner with the very best technology providers around the world."

Chris Bruce, CEO, BT Openzone, said: "The growing number of travellers with mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones, means guests increasingly expect to be able to log on wherever they are and with a fast and reliable connection. BT currently has 2.8 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.K. and Ireland. By expanding our coverage at Hilton Worldwide's portfolio of hotels, we are demonstrating our commitment in providing leading edge technology services to partners in a very demanding service environment."

BT Openzone will use an 'above property', centralised cloud computing architecture, and will oversee network operations, guest Internet support, network engineering, software development and 24/7 network monitoring for Hilton Worldwide's Wi-Fi and Internet services.

INNOVATION | Brilliant Use of Social Media - REH shows the way

2011-06-30T16:00:00.000+05:30

Radisson Edwardian Hotels (REH) has announced the launch of a new scheme - Check In, Check Out Later - using Foursquare and Facebook Places social media resources.

The initiative will run until 31 July and offers consumers the chance to extend their stay by up to two hours by "checking in" using the location-based mobile applications.

REH has developed the project with digital agency Ispy and once "checked in", guests will be able to show their smartphone at reception to receive the benefits of a late checkout.

Editor | I think this is a brilliant use of social media. Giving something valuable (extended check out) for participation makes such a difference. this entire space is going to be so much fun to watch. What are some of your hotel plans?? share...

Hyatt Selects Dell Services for Innovative Technology Solutions Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/06/28/3231423/hyatt-selects-dell-services-for.html#ixzz4xDKnQVjv

2011-06-30T00:27:00.000+05:30

Dell Services announced today that it has signed a new five-year contract with Hyatt Corporation, an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, for comprehensive IT services and solutions. Under this agreement, Dell Services will provide flexible IT services and support for Hyatt.

Dell Services will provide Hyatt with a single point of contact for end-user support and incident management with multi-channel access and sophisticated logging and tracking of all IT incidents and contacts.

Through this relationship with Dell, Hyatt will be able to deliver the highest quality of support services and innovation, enabling flexibility for future growth.

Utilizing Dell's asset and inventory management, security, and project services will help to optimize Hyatt's core business capabilities by improving processes and assuring quality.

Additionally, Dell's network and server support services will enable Hyatt to experience greater agility by sharing information and offering real-time data to proactively manage their business.

QUOTES:
"We look forward to working with and delivering Hyatt innovative solutions and services that enable them to provide a differentiated technology experience. Our goal is to provide Hyatt and its team members with solutions and support making it more efficient and easier for them to continue to provide the unparalleled level of hospitality that Hyatt guests have come to anticipate and appreciate." – Steve Schuckenbrock, president of Dell Services

"We are thrilled to be working with Dell to provide Information Technology services and support our corporate locations and properties in North America. We believe that this relationship will help us increase efficiencies of our IT systems, enhance the technology experience provided to both our guests and associates, and provide Hyatt with greater operation flexibility and innovation." – Harmit Singh, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

TECH | Ritz-Carlton Puts Concierge Tips on Foursquare

2011-06-28T22:59:00.000+05:30

The Ritz-Carlton hotel chain is now offering destination advice via Foursquare. It's the newest member of a small but growing coterie of luxury brands generating content — and thereby finding value — in location-based social networks.

The Ritz-Carlton's Foursquare profile now includes dozens of tips about local destinations and landmarks from concierges at its 75 hotels — extending advice previously available only to patrons to anyone with a Foursquare account.

For instance guests checking in at the Massachusetts State House, might come across a suggestion to stroll around Beacon Hill, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston. "Robert Frost, Sylvia Plath and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once lived here," the tip reads. (Those who follow the Ritz-Carlton's Foursquare account will see tips as notifications; those who do not will see it in the general "Tips" section on their app.)

Although the tips are intended in part to give the public a taste of the concierges' range of knowledge, the service is intended primarily for Ritz-Carlton customers, Chris Gabaldon, chief marketing officer of the Ritz-Carlton, says.

full story visit | http://mashable.com/2011/06/27/ritz-carlton-foursquare/

New Technology in Food & Beverage and Hospitality

2011-06-28T00:38:00.000+05:30

Technology these days is so advanced that one can do almost anything from a mobile phone, from handling banking transactions to browsing the internet. At the core of this technological revolution is the 'app', or application software. Apps are computer softwares designed to perform single tasks or multiple related specific tasks, and can be found on mobile phones such as the iPhone.

With technology the way it is, there is almost no reason for the food and beverage (F & B) and hospitality industries to fall behind. That being said, many hoteliers, restaurateurs and major airlines have stepped up and produced brilliant apps that combine form and function in simple, stylish and convenient packages.

Hoteliers lead the pack, with apps that allow guests additional comfort and convenience during their stay. Many hotels offer basic 'search and book' apps that allow users to book rooms directly from their phones. However, some have gone a step further to truly make their app an essential travel companion. The Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts Concierge app, for example, has a user-friendly interface that allows visitors to select a hotel and learn about the various activities in its city, as delivered by the hotel's concierge, including things like restaurants and daily itineraries.

Some hotels have even gone a step further, including new and unique functions and services on top of the standard features. The W Hotels app, for instance, allows guests to order room service straight from their mobile phones, as well as deliveries of other things, such as champagne, to any other W Hotel room in the world. The app also features a specially curated musical selection by the brand's Global Music Director, Michaelangelo L'Acqua, a first for a hotel brand.

Airlines are also keeping up with hotels, with some providing apps that go beyond allowing passengers to check-in and check their flight statuses. For one, Cathay Pacific has included comprehensive city guides in its app, featuring information about the sights, dining options, hotels and other useful tidbits about the traveler's city of choice. It is thus a really good travel guide, on top of being useful for flying. Other airlines, such as American Airlines and Continental, offer ways to book flights without leaving the apps themselves. Continental even includes airport maps and a currency converter in its app.

On the F&B side of things, many apps have been produced to help diners look for good restaurants in their vicinity or according to cuisine served. In Singapore, apps such as the Makansutra Eating Guide based on the popular local television series, HungryGoWhere (picutred, left) and BuUuk (pictured, right) allow users to quickly search for restaurants, and even read and submit their own reviews and ratings. These apps provide an up-to-date and convenient way for hungry diners to suss out their next delicious meal.

http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=P21152

Germ-FreeTelevision Remote Control Coming Soon

2011-06-28T00:36:00.000+05:30

DIRECTV, the world's largest pay-TV provider, is changing the way hotel guests experience their favorite movies, shows and news programs, all while removing the invisible germs usually found on TV remotes.

DIRECTV's innovative new Residential Experience for Hotels will transport the living room experience into the hotel room with more than 100 HD channels, an enhanced interactive program guide, the full residential programming lineup, and the first anti-microbial remote designed by DIRECTV specifically for the lodging and hospitality industry.

The DIRECTV Residential Experience for Hotels is currently testing in select properties across the country and will launch later this summer. The DIRECTV service delivers the programming to compact, easily hidden set-top boxes in each hotel room so that guests can enjoy the same great DIRECTV experience they get at home. Additional benefits of the system include:

Interactive program guide -- DIRECTV's co-branded interactive programming guide offers easy navigation and search functionality, just like at home. During testing, 96 percent of guests said it was easy to navigate the new DIRECTV Residential Experience guide.
Expanded HD channel offering -- Guests gain access to up to 10 times more of their favorite HD programming, with more than 100 HD channels including CNN, ESPN and HBO.
Simplified, germ-free remote -- Updated remote offers simple, intuitive design and the first anti-microbial remote designed by DIRECTV specifically for the lodging and hospitality industry.
No upfront equipment costs -- Cost-effective, scalable technology solutions to fit each property's unique needs.

"We understand consumers want the same programming diversity and ease-of-use they have at home while they're travelling, and DIRECTV's Residential Experience for Hotels will deliver those same features and benefits right into the hotel room," said Rod Keller, vice president of Commercial Sales for DIRECTV. "With approximately 20 percent of hotels currently offering HD service to their guests, we expect this new service to significantly expand the HD offering in this market with the added benefit of a sanitized remote."
DIRECTV's Residential Experience for Hotels will be introduced at the HITEC conference in Austin, Texas, which runs from June 20-23 at the Austin Convention Center. The service will be available to hoteliers across the country beginning later this summer.

DIRECTV's service for lodging and institutions provides guests with free-to-guest programming in hotels, motels, hospitals, dormitories and nursing homes with the choice of a package or an a la carte basis. DIRECTV's single-dish solution enables properties to install one mini-dish per rooftop, and if a property is already wired for video distribution, installation is that much easier. For more information on DIRECTV for hotels or other businesses, please visit directv.com/business.

About DIRECTV:

DIRECTV DTV +0.59% is the world's largest pay TV provider delivering the premiere video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 29.4 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 19.4 million customers access to more than 170 HD channels and Dolby-Digital(R) 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM), award winning technology like its DIRECTV(R) DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for ten years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 10 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 60 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.

http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=P21161

More Hotels Distribute iPads to Guests for Ordering Room Service and Amenities

2011-06-28T00:34:00.000+05:30

Hotel guests can now play Angry Birds and order room service without looking up from their iPad.
Hoping to generate more food and beverage sales and reduce the need for staffers, a growing number of hotels are providing the popular tablet computer to guests in their rooms.

An app, developed by Orlando-based Intelity and downloaded on the device, allows guests to order food, browse hotel amenities and local attractions, request wake-up calls, schedule housekeeping, message hotel staffers or other guests, and arrange car service. Flight information and 5-day weather are also shown, as are targeted ads based on guests' rates and preferences information.

The hotels that are providing iPads are usually upscale properties that have high-spending guests, including The Plaza in New York, Mondrian SoHo in New York, The Hilton Inn at Penn in Philadelphia and Royalton Hotel in New York.

Guests are charged for the device if they forget to return it. Some hotels have affixed the device to a desk surface to prevent theft.

Intelity has been selling the software for about two years and until now, it has been mostly delivered to smartphones (iPhone, Blackberry, Android phones) as a customized app for each hotel client. Some hotels, such as Wyndham Hotels, have installed the PC-version as the welcome page of their Wi-Fi service.
About 380 hotels nationwide currently use the software and more are coming, says David Adelson, CEO of Intelity. Wyndham has made it a brand standard, meaning all hotels are required to provide it for guests in the coming months. It's in 90% of all Wingate hotels, a Wyndham brand.

"It's a self-service vehicle," Adelson says. "Most travelers are used to self-service solutions in their daily lives and would rather prefer it."

http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=P21170

LG Electronics evolves in-Room TV technology

2011-06-26T21:55:00.000+05:30

As the industry leader in hotel- and guest-centric display solutions, LG Electronics USA is launching the next generation of its Pro:Centric™ technology, adding IP video decoding to the powerful platform.

At the 2011 Hospitality Industry Technology Conference and Exposition (HITEC; booth 631), LG is showcasing its unique Pro:Centric applications platform that enables hoteliers to streamline information delivery into the guestroom, providing uniform services and features across radio frequency (RF) and Internet protocol (IP) networks.

Harnessing IPTV, Enabling Pro:Centric Applications

Leading LG's new Pro:Centric series are the LV555H and LD665H. The LV555H is LG's first commercial LED HDTV to feature Pro:Centric. This premium model displays crisp, clear images with energy-efficient edge-lit LED backlighting. The LV555H and LD665H are the first commercial TVs from LG for the North American market to include IPTV video decoding, allowing the support of direct IPTV, RF-only and mixed RF and IP connections. They enable seamless migration from RF to IP as network topology is expected to evolve over the coming years. Also featuring dual tuners, these models allow dynamic updating of application data such as the electronic program guide, weather and customizable billboards while still providing access to live TV.

"LG recognizes the trend in the U.S. towards IPTV solutions for our hotel customers," said LG's Richard Lewis, senior vice president, research and technology at Zenith, the U.S. R&D subsidiary of LG Electronics. "Our new models are a major step forward in supporting integrated IPTV adoption, and with proven success overseas, represent a truly global approach to platform development."

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/lg-electronics-evolves-in-room-tv-technology/

IHG launches iPhone booking applications

2011-06-26T00:20:00.000+05:30

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the launch of new

iPhone applications in order to allow guests to find and book rooms

across each of the operator's seven brands.

The launch marks the continuation of the company's mobile strategy and

follows December 2010's unveiling of the InterContinental Concierge

Insider Guides for the iPad.

Each of the new iPhone apps feature booking and management reservation

features, such as quick access to contact details and maps and secure

storage of credit card information.

IHG also produced the Priority Club Rewards app for Android systems

(July 2010) and the Priority Club Rewards app for iPhones (April

2010).

The company has seen an increase of nearly 1,000 per cent in the

number of room bookings made from mobile devices over the past year.

In the first five months of 2011, the number of bookings made from

mobile devices already surpassed the total number for 2010.

IHG senior vice president, sales and marketing EMEA, Matt Luscombe

said: "Our mobile strategy is responding to this growing demand.

"Last year we launched a mobile iPhone booking app that just targeted

our 58 million Priority Club Rewards members and we're now expanding

our iPhone booking app service to all of our seven brands."

Sabre launches SocialConversion

2011-06-24T20:02:00.000+05:30

Leveraging the growing role of social media in travel, Sabre Hospitality Solutions has launched SocialConversion, a comprehensive product suite allowing hotels to maximize their social media presence, bring their brand to new travelers, connect with guests, and grow revenue through distribution on sites such as Facebook.

According to a recent eConsultancy report, more than 40 percent of travelers use social media to research their travel options before a purchase, so a strong presence in social media channels is an important part of a successful hotel marketing plan. SocialConversion is the first marketing solution of its kind to be introduced to the hospitality industry and was designed to allow hotels to tap into new market segments as well as build community within their existing loyalty customer base. The suite of offerings includes a range of unique, new ways for hotels to engage and interact through social media:

A fully integrated, seamless Facebook booking engine with the look and feel of the hotel Website, allowing guests to not only search availability but also view rooms, shop rates, and complete the entire booking process, all within the Facebook framework;
Share-your-stay functionality enabling guests to virally distribute the hotel's brand and their stay across multiple social channels simultaneously;
Ability to create unique social media-only offers and promotions to push and share within Facebook;
Integration of social media into the hotel's Website through profile portability and social plug-ins, enabling Website visitors to pre-populate forms, and interact and share content including blog posts, photos and packages by utilizing their Facebook account;
Custom tabs and widgets to leverage cross-promotional opportunities between the hotel or chain's own Website and social media platforms, driving traffic between locations;
Network building and campaign management solutions.
US-based Arizona Grand Resort, managed by Classic Hotels & Resorts, is among the first of Sabre Hospitality Solutions' customers to implement the Facebook booking engine solution. The resort quickly achieved a 12:1 Return on Investment (ROI) after implementing the new booking engine on their Facebook page and is continuing to observe bookings and usage growth among "fans."
"We see the landscape of online marketing changing continuously. The team of experts at Sabre Hospitality Solutions has proven their expertise in innovative technology, and they have been helping us achieve our goals as we've been experiencing quick results," said Greg Waters, director of sales and marketing for Arizona Grand Resort.
"We are excited at the new ways they are enabling us to drive revenue through our own marketing, and plan to join them as they lead the industry in opening up this new segment."
SocialConversion was designed as a toolkit to complement Sabre Hospitality Solutions' existing social media and reputation management services. These services are offered by an expert team who provide campaign management, network building, online strategy and other support to boost hotels' presence in social media and ultimately drive revenue.
"SocialConversion represents the commitment Sabre Hospitality's e-marketing innovation team has made to our customers to provide the most comprehensive social media optimization solution available in our industry," said Paolo Torchio, vice president, E-marketing and Solutions Consulting, for Sabre Hospitality Solutions.
"Our customers have expressed interest in taking social media to the next level and want to start seeing a return on their investment. This product suite was designed with exactly that in mind: helping our customers build loyalty, tap into new market segments, build buzz, and grow their businesses through online communities."

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/sabre-launches-socialconversion1/

Pegasus Launches ContentHub™

2011-06-23T10:12:00.001+05:30

Solution Simplifies Content Management for Hotels by Combining Image and Text Updates to Alternative and Global Distribution Systems

Pegasus Solutions has launched ContentHub™ at HITEC to simplify content management for hotels. The solution allows hotels to combine image and text updates to alternative (online) and global distribution systems (GDSs), ensuring content is kept current and accurate across all channels.

With a single management environment, ContentHub improves operational efficiencies, eliminating the need for hotels to load images and text into multiple systems using multiple tools. As a result of having rich, accurate, up-to-date content in more channels, hotels can engage more travelers and book more rooms.

“The list of selling opportunities for hotels is multiplying at an exponential rate, and unfortunately, hotel resources are not,” said Mike Kistner, chief executive officer of Pegasus Solutions. “Hotels now have to consider how they will manage both a mobile and effective brand site while they’re still trying to maintain rates, availability and accurate rich content online and in the GDS. ContentHub eases these challenges, so you have the opportunity to be sold to your standards in more channels more often.”

Pegasus currently manages the largest repository of hotel descriptive content in the world with its Hotel Content Database (HCD), which houses images, property and room descriptions for approximately 90,000 hotels. With ContentHub, hotel descriptive content entered into the HCD by a hotel chain, either via XML Update Interface or through Pegasus’ Content Manager, will not only be used in online distribution, but also for managing content in the GDSs.

Traditionally, the HCD has pushed descriptive content to online travel agencies (OTA). With ContentHub, the HCD will also provide the same descriptive content, supplied through a single point of entry, to the four GDSs. The solution seamlessly integrates with VFM Leonardo VScape and with HCD tools such as Content Manager, Translation Services, and MapViewer.

Complete product details are available at HITEC booth #1113.

For more information contact:

Ariel Herr
t:+1 (214) 890-7912
e:aherr@fortepr.com

IHG dumps Microsoft Outlook for Google’s Gmail

2011-06-22T22:59:00.000+05:30

ATLANTA Some 25,000 employees and executives with IHG are switching their business email servers to Google Inc.'s Gmail, replacing Microsoft Corp.'s Outlook in one of the hotel industry's biggest cloud migrations ever.

The move will save IHG an estimated 30%, says Gustaaf Schrils, IHG's vice president of technology in the Americas. The savings will come primarily from lower subscription costs. Google charges US$50 per user per year, while Microsoft's Office 365 suite of applications—its cloud-based competitor to Google that launches this month—charges anywhere from US$25 to US$325 per user per year.
The new email system is part of a larger shift for IHG to Google Apps products, all of which exist in the cloud, meaning they are hosted remotely and accessible by users via the Internet. IHG users will be able to keep their existing email addresses.

58% of hoteliers say mobile technology adds to customer satisfaction

2011-06-22T22:48:00.000+05:30

More than half of hospitality organizations that have deployed mobile technologies say customer satisfaction has improved as a result.

Information technology spending in the hospitality industry is expected to increase in 2011, with guest experience cited as the top driver for investment. About 56% hospitality organizations plan to raise mobile investments to better equip their workforces, improve operational efficiencies and enhance the customer experience, according to a survey by Motorola Solutions Inc.
The Motorola study finds that 91% of hospitality decision makers realize the increasing importance of mobile and wireless technology, while 78% recognize the role mobility plays in ensuring a competitive advantage for their business. The majority—58%—Fifty- of hospitality organizations deploying mobile technology report improved customer satisfaction.
In fact, improved guest experience is the top driver for mobility investments, cited by 76% percent of hospitality industry personnel surveyed. Industry decision-makers are investing in mobile technologies to support customer-facing applications that improve guest services by handling wireless email, check-in, tableside ordering or event ticketing, among others.
Three in five respondents (61%) plan to deploy some form of video capabilities in common areas such as lobbies, including video surveillance, video conferencing and streaming video. Of hospitality organizations already deploying mobile and wireless technology, 59% have witnessed an increase in employee productivity and efficiency, while 55% have seen improved sales results.
Managers, security personnel and customer service associates are the primary users of mobile and wireless devices in the hospitality companies surveyed, with 71% of supervisors using smartphones, 52% of security using radios, 19% of ticketing agents equipped with voice-over-IP devices and 26% of property managers using tablets.
Three-quarters of hospitality organizations surveyed already have wireless LAN installed in their facilities. In North America, approximately one-third of these venues have 802.11n, while Europe venues predominately have 802.11b/g.
Motorola Solutions' 2011 Hospitality Market Barometer uses the results of surveys conducted in the fourth quarter of 2010 from 161 qualifying respondents across North America and Europe. The invitation-only surveys were completed online by Research Now, a third-party provider of business and IT decision-makers.

Pegasus Launches RezView® Mobile for Hotels

2011-06-21T21:58:00.000+05:30

Mobile Solution Available as Native Application for Apple iPhone, iPad and Android Phones and as Browser-based Application for other Mobile Devices

Pegasus Solutions has added RezView® Mobile to the first suite of next generation hotel reservations solutions, which will offer hotels robust mobile functionality at the best value available in the market. The product being demonstrated at HITEC booth #1113, enables hotels to deliver an exceptional mobile experience for consumers while leveraging Pegasus’ RezView® NG next generation enterprise delivery platform.

Google shows one in five hotel queries is conducted via mobile device, and Gartner predicts 80 percent of mobile phones shipped in 2013 will have the ability to browse the mobile Web. Additionally, roughly one-third of tablet users have booked air travel or lodging, or searched for ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants or destinations on their tablet computers. Mark Peacock, CIO of Pegasus Solutions, says this burgeoning opportunity in mobile presents a challenge to hoteliers with tight technology budgets and limited resources who must compete across traditional and online channels, while also providing consumers direct shopping and booking capabilities through their Web site and mobile applications.

“Using the latest proven Web and mobile technologies, we’ve developed a suite of products that support the two most strategic direct channels for hoteliers by connecting customers to the most powerful distribution platform in the world,” said Peacock. “We’ve also done this in a way that makes participation in the mobile market accessible for hotels that previously would have had to devote extensive time and resources to building homegrown mobile solutions or working through costly third-party providers.”

RezView Mobile leverages the power of RezView NG to enable hotels to centrally manage content and rates for all channels. Additionally, with a foundation in proven next generation reservations technology, RezView Mobile is more affordable than standalone solutions. It allows hotels to provide a custom mobile experience based on the consumer’s device through a private label mobile Web site and Internet booking engine without requiring in-house design, development and ongoing maintenance costs.

“In recent months, the power of RezView NG has been validated by the hospitality industry, first when it was licensed by HP Enterprise Services to accelerate development of its next-generation consumer travel solutions for hospitality and airline clients, then when Orient-Express signed to use it for hotel, cruise and rail bookings,” added Peacock. “Now, this technological innovation again serves the hospitality industry by supporting an easily managed mobile platform. RezView Mobile delivers an unmatched experience with proven reliability tailored to our hotel customers’ businesses, allowing them to capture their fair share of the mobile bookings.”

RezView Mobile was jointly designed, developed and tested by Pegasus and NIIT Technologies. It will be available as a native application for Apple’s iPhone and iPad, Android phones, and as a browser-based application for other mobile devices. It offers hotels mobile options, including smart location finder, click to call, “remember me” auto-population, multi-lingual capability, quick functionality, availability calendar display, and highlighting of promotional offers. It clearly displays property information and images and sorts by price, star-rating and distance.

Pegasus has also added the RezView Internet Booking Engine to its suite of next generation hotel reservations solutions, which makes advanced, highly customized and powerful brand sites accessible for small- to medium-sized hotels.

For more information contact:

Ariel Herr
t:+1 (214) 890-7912
e:aherr@fortepr.com