Choice Hotels: First in Hospitality to Fully Embrace the Cloud

Choice Hotels: First in Hospitality to Fully Embrace the Cloud

By Author

Published on February 1, 2024

Big news in the hotel world! Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has just hit a major tech milestone. They're now the first hotel company to shift their entire system infrastructure to the cloud. That's right, no more data centres for them – they're fully on Amazon Web Services (AWS) now.

What does this big move mean? For starters, it's a game-changer for how they respond to market conditions. This cloud setup gives Choice Hotels a super flexible, resilient, and scalable platform. It's not just good news for the company; it's great for hotel owners and operators within the Choice system too. They're looking at more efficient hotel-facing operations, management tools, and even the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to boost profitability and guest experiences.

Brian Kirkland, the Chief Information Officer at Choice Hotels, is excited about what this means for their franchisees. "Moving everything to the cloud means our franchisees are always in the loop with the latest tech, saving them time and money. It also keeps us ahead in the competitive hotel booking journey," he says.

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This wasn't an overnight change. It's been a five-year journey, but what a finish line! Over 3,729 servers were decommissioned, more than 300 applications retired, and upwards of 250 applications migrated.

Matt Garman from AWS is praising Choice for their bold cloud-first approach. "They've been able to innovate, scale, pivot, and grow sustainably over these five years, thanks to their cloud-first mindset," he says.

Choice's cloud journey started back in 2015 with their cloud-based central reservation system, choiceEDGE. At that time, it was the first new CRS from a hotel company in over three decades.

Jason Simpson, Vice President of Cloud Engineering for Choice Hotels, is thrilled about leveraging their cloud-first infrastructure. "AWS Cloud was crucial for us to integrate Radisson digitally in record time and increase our traffic and booking revenue," he notes.

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Choice Hotels has been on the forefront of tech innovation in the hospitality industry for a while now:

1995: Launched the first hotel website with real-time rates and availability.

2003: Introduced the first cloud-based property management system, choiceADVANTAGE.

2009: Released the first hotel app for iOS.

2014: First hotel company to offer instant booking on TripAdvisor and listed on Forbes' Top 100 Most Innovative Growth Companies.

2016: First hotel company with instant in-app gift card downloads.

2018: choiceEDGE goes live, the first cloud-based CRS.

2019: First hotel company to commit to 100% AWS Cloud.

2021: Launched ChoiceMAX, an AI mobile-first revenue management solution.

2024: Completed cloud migration.

Fully cloud-based now, Choice Hotels is all set to continue innovating and leveraging AI for greater business value for franchisees.

About Choice Hotels®

One of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) boasts over 7,500 hotels in 46 countries and territories. With 22 diverse brands, Choice Hotels® meets traveller needs across various segments, driving value for franchise owners and shareholders. The Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options offer members fast ways to earn reward nights and personalised perks. Discover more at www.choicehotels.com.


Nirvana Being and Greenr Café Unite for Pollution-Free Dining

Nirvana Being and Greenr Café Unite for Pollution-Free Dining

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 9, 2025

In a landmark initiative to combat the effects of air pollution, Nirvana Being, India’s leading clean air solutions provider, has joined hands with Greenr Café, a popular health-conscious eatery chain, to establish “Pure Air Zones” at its outlets. This collaboration is setting new standards in the hospitality industry by making clean, breathable air a key aspect of the dining experience.

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Patrons at Greenr Café’s Greater Kailash and Vasant Vihar locations are greeted by real-time displays of AQI (Air Quality Index), PM2.5, and CO2 levels, both indoors and outdoors. This transparency reflects a firm commitment to environmental accountability and health-focused dining. These safe air zones are made possible through advanced ventilation, filtration, and automation systems installed by Nirvana Being, ensuring patrons can breathe easy while enjoying their meals.

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Jai Dhar Gupta, Founder of Nirvana Being, highlighted the importance of this initiative:
“As more people experience health complications due to toxic air, there is a growing demand for safe spaces where they can dine and gather without compromising on health. Our collaboration with Greenr Café reflects a shared vision to offer patrons clean air they can trust, setting a new benchmark for health and safety in India’s hospitality sector. Our aim is to inspire other businesses to adopt similar clean air standards, making indoor air quality a priority in all public spaces for the well-being of our communities.”

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Echoing this sentiment, Niharika Jain, Founder of Greenr Café, emphasized the role of clean air in holistic wellness:
“Air and water are fundamental to human health and existence, and everyone should have the right to access them in their purest form. At Greenr, our aim is to create spaces where people can come together, enjoy wholesome food, and feel their best. With the alarming rise in air pollution, it became equally important for us to ensure our patrons could breathe clean, safe air while they are here.”

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This partnership not only enhances the Greenr Café experience but also underscores the importance of creating eco-conscious public spaces. By combining Greenr’s commitment to holistic wellness with Nirvana Being’s expertise in clean air solutions, the initiative is a step towards a future where safe, breathable air becomes a standard in India’s hospitality sector.

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Together, Nirvana Being and Greenr Café are inspiring a broader movement towards health-first, environmentally sustainable public spaces, proving that even small steps can lead to significant change.


Balmer Lawrie Invests in Pod Hotel Startup NapTapGo

Balmer Lawrie Invests in Pod Hotel Startup NapTapGo

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 5, 2025

Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd, a central public sector undertaking, has made a significant equity investment in NapTapGo, a budding startup in the hospitality sector. This initiative aligns with the government's Startup India programme, showcasing the company's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging businesses.

NapTapGo is at the forefront of redefining affordable luxury through its unique pod hotel concept. Pod hotels are compact accommodations designed for short stays, offering basic yet efficient amenities. Their space-saving design and affordability have made them increasingly popular among travelers worldwide.

The investment, valued at INR 1 crore, was announced as part of Balmer Lawrie’s annual startup fund programme. While specific funding terms remain undisclosed, the company highlighted its intent to boost the startup ecosystem and encourage creative solutions in the hospitality sector.

To ensure top-notch services, NapTapGo integrates AI and IoT into its facilities, enhancing hygiene, quality, and customer experiences. This tech-driven approach aligns with modern travelers' preferences, emphasizing convenience and efficiency.

Balmer Lawrie has partnered with IIM Lucknow’s Enterprise Incubation Center (EIC), a premier incubator, to extend incubation support, mentorship, and industry connections to startups like NapTapGo. The collaboration underscores the company's dedication to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the initiative, Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Chairman and Managing Director of Balmer Lawrie, remarked, “We firmly believe that investing in innovation and supporting emerging entrepreneurs will contribute significantly to nation building.”

Nitin Malhotra, founder of NapTapGo, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “This investment demonstrates the government's commitment to driving innovation in the tourism sector.”

As part of its vision, Balmer Lawrie continues to encourage projects that align with national development goals while promoting sustainable and innovative solutions.


Air India Introduces In-Flight Wi-Fi on Domestic Flights

Air India Introduces In-Flight Wi-Fi on Domestic Flights

By Nishang Narayan

Published on January 3, 2025

Air India has become the first Indian airline to offer in-flight Wi-Fi services on domestic flights, setting a new benchmark in aviation connectivity. Passengers flying on Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft can now enjoy complimentary internet services during an introductory period.

This service is available on both domestic and international routes, allowing travelers to browse, stay active on social media, complete work tasks, or stay connected with loved ones while flying. Accessible on devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, the Wi-Fi also supports multiple device connections at altitudes above 10,000 feet.

Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Air India, stated, “Connectivity is now an integral part of modern travel. For some, it is about the convenience and comfort of real-time sharing, while for others, it is about greater productivity and efficiency. Whatever the purpose, we are confident that our guests will appreciate having the option of connecting to the web and enjoy the new Air India experience on board these aircraft.”

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The introduction of Wi-Fi on domestic routes follows a successful pilot program on international flights to destinations such as New York, London, Paris, and Singapore. Air India plans to progressively expand the service across its fleet in the near future.

To access the service, travelers simply:

  1. Enable Wi-Fi on their device.
  2. Select the 'Air India Wi-Fi' network.
  3. Enter their PNR and last name on the redirected Air India portal.
  4. Enjoy complimentary internet access.

In-flight Wi-Fi performance may vary based on factors like satellite connectivity, bandwidth usage, and route-specific restrictions. With this innovative step, Air India continues to enhance the travel experience, combining connectivity with comfort and convenience.

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