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.

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.

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.

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.