Fourth Revolutionizes Hospitality with AI-Powered Platform

Fourth Revolutionizes Hospitality with AI-Powered Platform

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 28, 2024

The hospitality industry is about to get a major tech upgrade, thanks to Fourth's new AI Platform. This game-changer is designed to optimise everything from scheduling to inventory management, making it the first AI solution of its kind specifically tailored for the hospitality world.

Imagine running a restaurant or hotel where AI takes care of the nitty-gritty, letting managers and staff focus on what they do best: delivering top-notch service and creativity. That's exactly what Fourth's AI Platform promises. Built on the largest data set in the industry, it's like having a super-smart assistant that knows the hospitality business inside out.

This isn't just wishful thinking. Big names like PizzaExpress and Wagamama are already seeing the benefits, from sharper demand forecasts to smarter scheduling. It means staff are exactly where they need to be, when they need to be there, and inventory is just right – not too much, not too little.

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What's really cool is the AI's ability to learn and adapt, making recommendations that managers can tweak based on their own insights. And with inventory management getting the AI treatment soon, the days of manual stock takes and guesswork orders are numbered.

Fourth isn't stopping there. They're planning even more AI-driven features for 2024, all designed to make the hospitality industry more efficient, more profitable, and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

So, what does this all mean for the future of hospitality? With Fourth's AI Platform, it looks bright, efficient, and a lot less stressful. And for those in the business, it's a chance to stay ahead of the curve in a fiercely competitive industry.


Journey Launches Loyalty Program for Boutique Hotels and Rentals

Journey Launches Loyalty Program for Boutique Hotels and Rentals

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 7, 2024

Journey, a new travel loyalty program founded by entrepreneur John Sutton and supported by Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, has officially launched. The platform is designed to offer travelers the ability to earn and redeem points at independently operated boutique hotels and private rental homes, which have traditionally been excluded from existing loyalty programs.

Journey sets itself apart by allowing guests to collect points for stays at unique properties, ranging from luxury city hotels to secluded rental homes. “Loyalty has become increasingly important to consumers,” said Kelly, who serves as Senior Advisor and Investor at Journey. He added that travelers will no longer need to give up loyalty benefits when seeking distinct, boutique experiences.

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Travelers who book directly through Journey will earn at least five points per dollar spent, compared to one point per dollar when booking through third-party sites. This incentive encourages direct bookings and supports independent property owners. The platform also includes AI-powered tools that help operators personalize guest experiences, attract repeat visitors, and optimize booking during off-peak seasons. “Journey is about creating an ecosystem where independent operators can thrive without compromising their identity or profits,” Sutton explained.

Journey’s leadership team is composed of industry veterans with significant expertise. John Sutton, the company’s CEO, previously held various roles at Red Ventures, including Chief Digital Officer. Brian Kelly, known for his work at The Points Guy, lends his experience in loyalty and travel media. James McBride, recognized for his leadership at top luxury hotels, acts as Alliance Ambassador. Advisors like Eric Wu, co-founder of Opendoor, and Chris Burch, co-founder of Tory Burch, contribute their business acumen to support Journey’s growth and strategic direction.

The launch of Journey follows the company's acquisition of StayWatch, a platform specializing in short-term rental travel deals. This move will bolster Journey’s offerings and partnerships with top independently owned properties. Sutton noted that by spring next year, the platform is expected to feature 2,000 rental homes and 200 boutique hotels in its “Journey Alliance.” Some properties set to join include Nihi Sumba Island in Indonesia and Dawn Ranch in California.

Journey’s future plans include launching a credit card tailored for frequent travelers, aiming to compete with existing loyalty credit cards from major financial institutions.


Marriott to Launch Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, Expanding Global Technology Footprint

Marriott to Launch Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, Expanding Global Technology Footprint

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 10, 2024

Marriott International is set to strengthen its global technological capabilities with the launch of the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, Telangana. This new Global Capability Center (GCC), slated to open in early 2025, marks the first such center for Marriott in India, tapping into the region's dynamic tech talent and robust IT infrastructure.

Hyderabad has emerged as one of India's foremost technology hubs, known for its world-class information technology professionals and thriving innovation ecosystem. Drew Pinto, Marriott’s Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue and Technology Officer, highlighted the significance of the location, stating, “We have chosen to establish the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad because of its world-class talent and strong reputation as a major IT hub. We appreciate the close collaboration with the Telangana government and look forward to expanding our best-in-class technology workforce.”

This initiative is part of Marriott’s broader strategy to enhance its engineering capacity, develop next-generation solutions, and strengthen security infrastructure across its global operations, which span 141 countries and territories. The new tech center will significantly boost the company’s technology division, enabling them to implement cutting-edge solutions that align with Marriott’s growth and expansion goals.

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The Telangana government has been a key player in attracting global companies to set up their GCCs in the region. Duddila Sridhar Babu, Telangana’s Minister of Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, and Industries, remarked, “Telangana has emerged as a global tech leader with over 200 GCCs driving business transformation. Our talent pool includes over 1 million GCC-ready tech professionals and 350,000 AI and Chip designers, with an annual influx of 250,000 engineers. This new GCC advances our vision of making Telangana a global hub for AI, Data Science, and IIoT.”

As of October 2024, Marriott’s portfolio in India includes 29,000 rooms across 17 brands. With future expansion plans, the company expects to increase its room count to over 42,000 in the upcoming years. This expansion will be supported by technological innovations stemming from the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad.

The launch of this center is expected to further solidify Marriott’s presence in India, ensuring that the company continues to lead in both hospitality and technological innovation. ANSR, a company specializing in establishing GCCs, will provide support for Marriott’s latest venture, ensuring its seamless integration and success.


Marriott Launches Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, India

Marriott Launches Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, India

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on October 7, 2024

Marriott International has announced the establishment of its first Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad, India. This new venture, called the Marriott Tech Accelerator, aims to leverage Hyderabad's skilled tech talent to expand Marriott's global technology infrastructure, engineering capabilities, next-generation solutions, and security across its operations in over 141 countries and territories.

Marriott chose Hyderabad due to its strong reputation as a major IT hub. Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue & Technology Officer at Marriott International, highlighted the city's talent and collaboration with the Telangana government, stating, "We have chosen to establish the Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, India because of its world-class talent and strong reputation as a major IT hub. We appreciate the close collaboration with the Telangana government on this project and look forward to expanding our best-in-class technology workforce."

Hyderabad has gained recognition as a leading tech destination, with over 200 GCCs already driving business transformation. Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister, Shri Duddila Sridhar Babu, emphasized the state’s efforts in fostering a tech ecosystem. He said, "TTelangana has emerged as a global tech leader with over 200 GCCs driving business transformation. Our talent pool includes over 1 million GCC-ready tech professionals and 350,000 AI and Chip designers, with an annual influx of 250,000 engineers. This new GCC advances our vision of making Telangana a global hub for AI, Data Science, and IIoT. We thank Marriott International for choosing Telangana for their global tech center, reinforcing our position as a technology leader."

The Marriott Tech Accelerator is set to open in early 2025 and will be supported by ANSR, a leader in establishing and operating GCCs for global enterprises.

Marriott has been in India since 1999, when it opened its first property, the Goa Marriott Resort and Spa. The company recently marked the opening of its 150th hotel in the country with the Marriott Katra Resort and Spa. Marriott's expansion in India continues with plans to increase its room count from around 29,000 rooms across 17 brands to over 42,000 in the coming years.

Reflecting on Marriott’s journey in India, Ranju Alex, Area Vice President for South Asia at Marriott International, expressed pride in the company’s 25-year history in the country. "We are tremendously proud of our 25 years of doing business in India. As we celebrate this milestone, we are committed to continued growth in India, with over 80 properties in the development pipeline."

The announcement was made by Marriott’s senior leadership, including Drew Pinto, Global Chief Technology Officer Naveen Manga, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific (excluding China) John Toomey, and other key executives. 

Marriott’s Tech Accelerator is expected to open in early 2025 and will be supported by ANSR, a leader in establishing and operating GCCs for global enterprises.  

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