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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 Nishang Narayan
Published on November 17, 2024
In a move to elevate guest experiences and streamline operations, Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) has partnered with Aiello, a leader in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and voice AI technology. The collaboration will see the deployment of Aiello's AI Voice Assistant (AVA) across six MHR properties in Singapore and Thailand, including Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, Orchard Hotel Singapore, M Social Hotel Singapore, Studio M Hotel Singapore, M Hotel Singapore City Centre, and M Social Hotel Phuket.
Aiello's innovative technology is set to enhance the guest experience with personalized, voice-activated services that cater to individual preferences. As Saurabh Prakash, Interim COO & CCO at MHR, explained, "By embracing Aiello’s technology, we’re adopting a data-driven approach that enables us to understand guest preferences and offer personalized services while also creating new revenue opportunities."
Beyond guest service, the integration of AVA will also optimize hotel operations, from task management to sustainability. The AI assistant will allow MHR to replace outdated systems and provide more efficient ways of managing hotel tasks and operations.
This AI partnership is also aligned with MHR’s commitment to sustainability. By eliminating printed materials and replacing traditional in-room amenities, the hotels are reducing their carbon footprint. According to Ke-Vin Lim, Head of Group Innovation at City Developments Limited (CDL), the adoption of AVA "significantly enhances property value and positions us as more competitive for the future."
Aiello's CEO, Vic Shen, highlighted the sustainability aspect, noting, “By replacing cabling in over 2,300 rooms, we are reducing 6,240 kilograms of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the absorption capacity of 284 trees.”
With 67% of hotels facing staffing shortages, the integration of AVA is particularly valuable for operational efficiency. By syncing the AI system with task management and housekeeping operations, MHR staff can receive real-time updates on room statuses and guest requests, reducing manual processes and improving productivity.
Andy Tan, Senior VP of Global Sales and Partnerships at MHR, remarked, "Integrating AVA with our systems allows us to streamline workflows, making operations more effective and reducing operational challenges."
The first hotel to implement AVA was M Social Hotel Phuket, which has already seen impressive results. Pjey Mayandi, General Manager at the hotel, shared, “AVA has transformed guest services by integrating cloud-based phone systems, task management, in-room dining, and smart room controls, significantly improving operational efficiency.”
The system has replaced traditional in-room phones, reducing call volumes and contributing to smoother operations, providing guests with a seamless experience.
Aiello’s long-term vision includes expanding its AI solutions across the hospitality sector in Southeast Asia, Japan, and beyond, through its platform Aiello-One. With Go Nimbus as a strategic partner, Aiello is set to scale its AI-driven solutions and provide even more value to hospitality providers in the region.
About Aiello
Aiello is at the forefront of Voice AI technology in the hospitality industry. Its flagship product, Aiello Voice Assistant, is revolutionizing hotel operations by enabling more efficient, personalized guest experiences. Deployed in over 180 hotels globally, Aiello Voice Assistant has responded to over 14 million inquiries in multiple languages, providing valuable insights into customer behavior.
About Millennium Hotels and Resorts
Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) is a global hospitality group with over 140 properties across four continents. Known for its commitment to excellence, MHR offers a wide range of experiences for both business and leisure travelers. With brands like The Biltmore, M Social, and Copthorne, MHR continues to lead in offering innovative, memorable stays.
For more information on Aiello’s AI solutions, visit Aiello and for Millennium Hotels and Resorts, visit Millennium Hotels.
By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on November 12, 2024
Sabre Hospitality, a division of Sabre Corporation, has introduced SynXis Insights, a powerful new data and analytics tool designed to empower hoteliers with enhanced decision-making capabilities and performance optimization. This tool offers hotel operators a streamlined way to access and interpret reservation data, ultimately helping them make more informed, revenue-driven decisions independently of their central chains.
SynXis Insights offers a unified view of SynXis reservation data, featuring daily data updates and ready-to-use visualizations. This approach allows both property and chain-level administrators to access critical performance metrics without manual data handling, which saves time and supports quicker, data-informed strategic adjustments.
Scott Wilson, President of Sabre Hospitality, emphasized that the launch of SynXis Insights marks an important development in Sabre’s commitment to customer-centric innovations. “We are enabling our customers to make informed decisions that drive revenue and improve overall business performance,” he stated, underscoring Sabre’s focus on actionable insights.
The tool offers over 15 filtering options that allow hoteliers to analyze and compare various data metrics, such as bookings, room nights, revenue, and average daily rate (ADR). By tailoring these filters to their unique objectives, hoteliers can focus on the metrics most relevant to their goals, enhancing strategic planning and operational efficiency.
SynXis Insights was developed in partnership with Google Cloud, which enables advanced data visualization and analytic capabilities across six dashboards. These dashboards cover critical performance areas, including Channel Performance, Lead Time Insights, Time of Booking, and Travel Agent Performance. The tool integrates data from the SynXis Booking Engine, SynXis Voice Agent, Global Distribution System (GDS), and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) via Channel Connect, offering a comprehensive view of customer behaviors and trends.
One of SynXis Insights’ early adopters, Jennifer Morgan, Director of Account Management at HotelREZ, highlighted the tool’s practical value. She noted, “SynXis Insights provides easy-to-interpret data, which drives informed decision-making, enhancing our operational efficiency and understanding of our customers.”
Hannah Garcia, Sabre Hospitality’s Director of Product Management, explained that the tool was developed in direct response to feedback from hotel brands. “We invested significant time and resources into developing SynXis Insights based on our customers’ needs. Through extensive user feedback, we’ve created a tool that not only offers deep insights but also provides the scalability and stability our customers expect,” she said. Input from brands such as HotelREZ, Hard Rock Hotels, and COHO Res helped shape the final product, ensuring it meets industry requirements.
Looking forward, Sabre plans to enhance SynXis Insights by incorporating reporting for its GDS Media and Digital Marketing services. This ongoing development will also include advanced analytics capabilities, all aimed at helping hotels optimize their distribution strategies, identify business trends, and drive revenue growth.
Through SynXis Insights, Sabre reinforces its dedication to innovation in the hospitality industry, giving hotels the tools they need to make data-driven decisions that positively impact their operations and profitability.
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.
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.
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