Wyndham's Strategic Move: Instant Group Bookings to Boost Travel Planning

Wyndham's Strategic Move: Instant Group Bookings to Boost Travel Planning

By Author

Published on February 15, 2024

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Groups360, is revolutionizing the group travel booking process by introducing instant booking capabilities for over 5,600 of its U.S. hotels through the GroupSync™ Marketplace. This advancement is set to transform the way travel planners and managers organize group stays, offering a seamless, time-saving solution for booking between 10 to 50 rooms instantly, without the need for traditional, time-consuming RFP processes. Additionally, meeting spaces can also be directly booked where available, further simplifying the planning of events.

This integration caters not only to traditional travel planners organizing meetings, weddings, and events but also to travel managers in sectors like construction and logistics, where quick, efficient lodging solutions are essential for crews on extended projects. The real-time availability and rate browsing feature on GroupSync marks a significant step towards enhancing the ease and efficiency of planning group travel, ensuring that planners can secure accommodations swiftly and effortlessly.

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Angie Gadwood, SVP Global Sales at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, highlights the initiative's aim to streamline the booking process across various group travel scenarios, from family reunions to extensive infrastructure projects. Kemp Gallineau, CEO of Groups360, underscores the value addition of Wyndham's extensive portfolio to GroupSync, enhancing the platform's inventory and meeting the diverse needs of all travel planners and managers.

Wyndham's engagement with Groups360 is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on the burgeoning infrastructure-related travel demand, estimated to present a ~$3.3 billion revenue opportunity for its franchisees. By expanding its Global Sales force and deploying new tools for identifying and leveraging infrastructure-related travel opportunities, Wyndham is positioning itself and its franchisees to benefit significantly from this sector's growth.

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The GroupSync integration aligns with Wyndham's Wyndham Business program, designed to facilitate business travel through a comprehensive suite of tools, resources, discounted rates, and exclusive perks for various stakeholders in the travel ecosystem, including small and mid-size business owners, travel advisors, buyers, and meeting planners.

With the majority of Wyndham's U.S. hotels expected to be available for instant booking on GroupSync imminently, this initiative is poised to offer an enhanced, more efficient booking experience for group travel planners and managers, reinforcing Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' commitment to innovation and customer service in the hospitality industry.


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.


HBX Group Revolutionizes Customer Service Training with AI 'Trainer'

HBX Group Revolutionizes Customer Service Training with AI 'Trainer'

By Nishang Narayan

Published on January 3, 2025

HBX Group, a leading independent B2B TravelTech company, has launched an AI solution to optimize training for customer service professionals. This innovative AI 'trainer' simulates customer interactions, allowing agents to practice in a range of real-world scenarios, helping them prepare more effectively for actual customer engagement.

The AI trainer can simulate conversations in 13 different languages, adapting to hundreds of potential customer service situations. It also offers four difficulty levels, catering to both novice and seasoned agents. This makes training more personalized and scalable, while allowing agents to train at their own pace. By reducing the need for trainer supervision, the system enables trainers to focus on more strategic tasks like performance analysis and data-driven improvements.

Xabi Zabala, Chief Operations Officer of HBX Group, praised the AI trainer’s potential: “The AI ‘trainer’ is a game-changer for customer service. It helps agents simulate a multitude of realistic situations and gain confidence much faster. They are better prepared to deliver excellent service, which ultimately improves the customer experience.”

HBX Group has ambitious plans to expand this technology into other areas of its operations, aiming to drive innovation in the TravelTech sector. With secure deployment and a focus on efficiency, HBX Group is set to lead the way in tech-powered customer service training.


Sciative Solutions Launches ZettaPrice: AI-Driven Revenue Management for Hospitality

Sciative Solutions Launches ZettaPrice: AI-Driven Revenue Management for Hospitality

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 19, 2024

Sciative Solutions, a pioneer in AI-driven pricing technology, has launched ZettaPrice, a revolutionary Revenue Management System (RMS) tailored to meet the dynamic needs of the hospitality industry. Designed to optimize Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR), ZettaPrice combines advanced AI automation with strategic human oversight, offering a transformative tool for hotels, villas, and homestays to enhance their revenue strategies.

After delivering significant growth for over 200 businesses across industries like Airlines, Luxury Coaches, and Consumer Retail through its Dynamic Pricing and Discount Optimization solutions, Sciative now extends its expertise to the hospitality sector.

Tackling Post-Pandemic Challenges

"The hospitality industry has undergone significant changes post-pandemic, with unpredictable booking trends and increasing demand for personalized experiences," said Dr. Anshu Jalora, Founder and Managing Director of Sciative Solutions. "ZettaPrice is designed to address these challenges by blending AI-driven insights with human expertise, ensuring that hotels remain agile, responsive, and profitable."

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Bridging the RMS Gap for Small and Mid-Sized Hotels

Traditional RMS solutions often fail to cater to the needs of smaller hospitality businesses due to complexity and high costs. ZettaPrice fills this gap by delivering intelligent revenue management at an affordable price point, empowering even small and mid-sized hotel chains to compete effectively.

Key Features of ZettaPrice:

  1. AI-Powered Demand Forecasting – Uses machine learning to analyze historical sales, market trends, and customer behavior, delivering precise demand predictions.
  2. Real-Time Pricing Automation – Adjusts room prices dynamically, with alerts sent via email or WhatsApp for unusual booking trends.
  3. Optimized Channel and Booking Restrictions – Minimizes commissions and maximizes revenue by evaluating booking channels and corporate contracts.
  4. Competitive Benchmarking – Tracks competitors in real-time to ensure pricing remains competitive.
  5. Virtual Inventory Nesting – Manages overbooking and optimizes inventory to offer premium rooms at base prices during low-demand periods.

Human-in-the-Loop Framework

What sets ZettaPrice apart is its human-in-the-loop framework, which allows revenue managers to fine-tune AI-generated recommendations based on strategic goals. This feature provides the perfect balance of automation and expert oversight.

"ZettaPrice handles the heavy lifting of daily pricing adjustments while enabling revenue managers to shape their own strategies. It’s about staying ahead of market trends while maintaining full control," said Vijeta Soni, Co-Founder and CEO of Sciative Solutions.

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Industry Insights and Impact

Sciative's research, involving over 200 industry stakeholders, emphasized the demand for user-friendly, effective revenue management tools. With ZettaPrice, the company aims to empower hospitality businesses to unlock the full potential of their data, streamline operations, and achieve long-term sustainable growth.

"ZettaPrice is not just a tool; it’s a strategic partner," added Dr. Jalora. "Having driven growth of 15% to 40% in other industries, we’re thrilled to bring this expertise to hospitality, offering a game-changing solution for hoteliers worldwide."

For more details, visit https://www.sciative.com.

About Sciative Solutions

Sciative Solutions specializes in AI-driven pricing technology, helping businesses across industries optimize revenue and profitability. With a focus on dynamic markets, Sciative offers tailored solutions that empower companies to stay ahead of the curve.

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