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By Author
Published on March 12, 2024
As the European Union’s (EU) Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into effect on March 7, its intent to open digital markets and promote fair competition has stirred concerns within the hotel and travel sectors. Industry groups are worried that Alphabet’s Google, in its bid to comply with the DMA, may inadvertently harm their online visibility and revenue streams. Alphabet, recognized as a ‘gatekeeper’ under the DMA due to its role as a gateway between businesses and consumers, is making adjustments that have raised alarms among various organisations representing the airline, hotel, and restaurant sectors.
These industry representatives argue that Google's proposed changes to meet DMA requirements might skew the competitive landscape in favour of larger online search services and intermediaries, disadvantaging smaller players in the process. This concern was highlighted by hotel group Hotrec, European Hotel Forum, Eurocommerce, Ecommerce Europe, Airlines for Europe, and Independent Retail Europe, following Google’s recent updates aimed at app developers and users.
Reports suggest that the alterations proposed by Google could lead to drastic reductions in online traffic and revenue for companies within the sector, with some experiencing losses up to 50%. A blog post by Google on March 5 hinted that its modifications to search results could indeed increase traffic for large intermediaries and aggregators while reducing visibility for direct service providers like hotels and airlines.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, eu travel tech, which counts Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb among its members, has accused Google of continuing to favour its own products in search results. This practice, they argue, directly contradicts the DMA’s goal to eliminate such biases, especially evident in travel search results where Google’s comparison products enjoy more prominence than others.
In an open letter, eu travel tech expressed its concerns, stating, "Google continues to favour its own services on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP), undermining competition." The group has called on the European Commission to rigorously enforce the DMA if Google fails to adhere to the regulation’s standards, emphasising the need for a fair digital marketplace that benefits all players equally.
The unfolding situation underscores the complexity of implementing wide-reaching regulatory measures like the DMA in a digital ecosystem dominated by a few large gatekeepers. As the debate continues, the hotel and travel industries remain vigilant, advocating for changes that ensure their survival and growth in an increasingly competitive online environment.
Image Credits- Cendyn
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on March 31, 2025
Jubilant FoodWorks Limited (JFL), a leading food-tech company, has announced the launch of Elate, India's first Android-based Point of Sale (PoS) and Order Taking System designed exclusively for the food service industry.
Elate is a cloud-first system that integrates seamlessly with JFL’s Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) platforms, leveraging advanced machine learning models to create a unified digital ecosystem. This innovation is set to enhance order-taking, store operations, and overall customer experience, making restaurant operations more efficient.
Developed by JFL’s 250-member product, UX, tech, and data science team, Elate aims to:
Improve order-taking efficiency
Enhance store operations and customer service
Reduce employee training time from 6 weeks to just 6 hours
Optimize digital interactions for Gen Z customers
Commenting on the launch, Sameer Khetarpal, Managing Director & CEO, Jubilant FoodWorks, stated:
"Technology and digital transformation are at the heart of JFL’s strategy. With Elate, we are taking a bold step towards a seamless and efficient food-tech ecosystem, optimizing both customer experience and business operations."
Adding to this, Vaneet Singla, Chief Product Officer, Jubilant FoodWorks, described Elate as a game changer, stating:
"We have reimagined the order-taking experience from scratch. This Android-based, cloud-native system integrates perfectly with our D2C apps, significantly cutting down training time and improving efficiency."
Elate is currently live in 10 Domino’s stores in Delhi NCR.
The system will be rolled out across 2,100 Domino’s outlets over the next year in phases.
Future updates will introduce more features to enhance dining and delivery experiences.
As customer preferences shift towards digital ordering, Elate is set to redefine restaurant operations, making ordering seamless, personalized, and efficient both online and in-store.
Published on March 26, 2025
Dook International has introduced a Performance-Linked Bonus (PLB) Scheme designed to reward travel agents registered under the Dook Agent-Connect Program. This initiative aims to enhance agent engagement and boost sales performance by offering financial incentives based on passenger bookings.
The PLB scheme applies to Free Independent Traveler (FIT) bookings, including group reservations of up to 10 passengers, scheduled for travel in the financial year 2025-26. Travel agents can make bookings either online or from their offices. The bonus structure is based on the total number of passengers booked:
50 passengers: ₹300 per passenger
100 passengers: ₹500 per passenger
300 passengers: ₹700 per passenger
500 passengers: ₹1000 per passenger
The accumulated bonus will be disbursed in April 2026, marking the beginning of the financial year 2026-27.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Gopal Kapoor, Managing Director of Dook International, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting travel agents. He stated, "At Dook International, we value the contributions of our travel agent network. This PLB program is our way to recognize their efforts and offer real-life rewards that encourage sales and performance. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen our partnerships and enhance the booking experience for both agents and their clients."
Dook International is a prominent travel company specializing in tours, destination management, and global travel solutions. The Dook Agent-Connect Program provides travel agents with exclusive deals, dedicated support, and rewarding incentives, reinforcing its commitment to a seamless and beneficial partnership with the travel industry.
By Nishang Narayan
Published on March 24, 2025
Wyndham Rewards is making travel rewards more accessible with the launch of its first-ever debit card in the U.S. Developed in collaboration with Galileo Financial Technologies, SoFi’s technology platform, and issued by Sunrise Banks, the new Mastercard-powered debit card allows users to earn Wyndham Rewards points on everyday purchases. This marks a significant shift in the hospitality industry, catering to younger consumers and those who prefer debit over credit.
The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card offers multiple benefits, including one point per dollar spent at Wyndham hotels, gas stations, and grocery stores, and one point per two dollars spent on other qualifying purchases. Cardholders also receive complimentary Wyndham Rewards Gold membership, which includes perks like preferred rooms, late checkout, and accelerated points earning. Additionally, users can enjoy booking discounts, a welcome bonus of 2,500 points, and up to 7,500 anniversary bonus points annually—enough for a free night at thousands of Wyndham properties.
Charmaine Taylor, SVP of Strategic and Financial Partnerships at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the importance of the card, stating, “Many travelers, especially Gen Z, prefer debit cards but miss out on hotel rewards. With the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card, they can now earn points on everyday purchases and redeem them for meaningful travel experiences.”
The decision to launch a debit card stems from research showing that nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers use debit cards weekly, with travel being a top spending priority. Wyndham’s initiative ensures that travelers who favor debit transactions are no longer left out of lucrative loyalty programs.
Powered by Galileo Financial Technologies, the card benefits from fast and secure digital banking solutions, allowing Wyndham to bring the product to market quickly. Derek White, CEO of Galileo, emphasized, “This debit card is a game-changer for travel rewards, proving that fintech can enhance customer loyalty and engagement.”
The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card complements the brand’s existing suite of credit cards while offering a new way for debit-preferred travelers to earn and redeem rewards. With waived monthly fees for qualifying balances and no ATM surcharges within the Cirrus network, the card ensures a seamless and rewarding travel experience.
For more details or to apply, visit wyndhamrewardscards.com/debit-card.
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