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Automatic

2375 posts

Mews Acquires Clarity to Expand Operations in APAC and the UK

🏨 Hotelogix introduced an hourly booking module for flexible check-ins and outs, catering to the growing hourly hotel booking market forecasted to reach $25.62 billion by 2027. The trend, popular in the US, UK, India, Philippines, and Southeast Asia, can save guests up to 60% on costs. The Hotelogix system allows for packages, discounts, and late check-outs, with new reports to track hourly booking metrics for revenue optimization. GCGC, managing over 60 properties and 8,000 rooms, saw a 40% revenue increase per room and over 750 bookings averaging 6 hours each.
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  • 2 min

Panera’s CEO José Alberto Dueñas Resigned, Paul Carbone Named Interim CEO

🚗 SoundHound AI Inc. at CES showcases a hands-on experience with Lucid's hands-free assistant integrated with SoundHound Chat AI for vehicle control via speech. This technology, live for Lucid Air owners, responds to "Hey Lucid" and understands natural language for queries on weather, sports, and more, without requiring a cellular connection. It offers enhanced functionality through over-the-air updates and supports English, Spanish, French, Arabic, German, and Dutch, with more languages to come.
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  • 2 min

Thin Margins, Big Opportunities: How Restaurants Can Boost Profits with Smart Strategies

💸 Labor costs in restaurants account for around 30% of overall expenses, influenced by a 75% turnover rate and non-tipped staff like kitchen workers and managers. Fixed costs, while generally constant, can offer negotiation opportunities. A Bain & Company and Harvard Business School study shows a 5% increase in customer retention could lead to at least a 25% profit boost, with up to 90% for some. For example, a 15% revenue increase on a $1 million restaurant could almost double profit margins, from 10% to 17%.
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KSL Resorts Rebrands as Peregrine Hospitality

🏨 Holoconnects, Mews, and CIC Hospitality with 13 Aiden by Best Western hotels, launched an AI-powered holographic front desk avatar on November 21 at Aiden by Best Western Lolland, Denmark. Developed with RAVATAR, the avatar handles check-ins/outs, room key generation, bookings, and FAQs. It operates inside Holoconnects’ 4K high-resolution 3D Holobox, integrated with Mews’ hotel management system. Feedback will refine the avatar's capabilities, aiming to improve guest experiences.
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SoundHound AI, Lucid Motors Introduce In-Vehicle Voice Assistant with Integrated Generative AI

🏨 Holoconnects, Mews, and CIC Hospitality with 13 Aiden by Best Western hotels launched an AI-powered holographic front desk avatar developed by RAVATAR. Launched on November 21 at Aiden by Best Western Lolland in Denmark, the avatar assists guests with check-ins/outs, room keys, bookings, and inquiries. The avatar operates inside Holoconnects’ Holobox for a 4K 3D holographic experience. The collaboration aims to improve guest satisfaction by integrating Mews' booking management and automating hospitality operations. Feedback from the launch will refine the technology.
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  • 5 min

Human-Centered AI: How Hotels Can Embrace Automation Thoughtfully

🛌 In the hospitality industry, chatbots reduce front desk staff's cognitive load by handling simple guest inquiries, allowing staff to focus on complex questions. A 2024 report shows 70% of hotel guests find chatbots helpful for basic questions but prefer humans for nuanced interactions. Integration issues arise when hotels adopt AI tools without unified structures, risking guest and employee frustration. Successful AI implementation requires employee involvement, training, and feedback. AI can also mine guest data for personalized experiences and operations improvement. Hotels should prioritize ease of AI adoption, employee benefits, and continual re-evaluation to enhance both customer and employee experiences. Author Bob Vergidis is the founder of pointofsale.cloud.
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NRF 2025: Posiflex Introduces New Terminals, Customizable Tablet

🏨 Holoconnects, Mews, and CIC Hospitality with 13 Aiden by Best Western hotels in the Nordics launched an AI-powered holographic front desk avatar on November 21 at Aiden by Best Western Lolland, Denmark. Developed with RAVATAR, the avatar assists guests with check-in, key generation, room and service bookings, and FAQs. The 4K high-resolution 3D holographic Holobox provides lifelike, immersive experiences and is integrated with Mews for hotel operations. The launch aims to gather feedback for improvement and enhance guest experience.
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  • 1 min

MURTEC 2025’s Full-Service Track: Guest Engagement, Table Service, BOH & More

📈 Hanson Li, managing partner at Salt Partners, will share insights on back-of-house technology at MURTEC 2025. Salt Partners, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, develops and invests in the F&B industry and tech ventures. The company oversees various ventures, including Michelin-starred Saison and casual dining like Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream and Lazy Susan. Learn more about MURTEC 2025 at MURTEC.com.
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Sofitel Unveils the Refurbished Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

🏛 In Sydney, Australia, on December 31, 2024, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, with 436 rooms and suites, reopens after refurbishment. Located in the central business district, minutes from the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the hotel embraces 'Modern Heritage' design, incorporating Australian landscape elements and French style. It offers luxury amenities including MySmart lighting and the Sofitel MyBed™ experience. The hotel also features art exhibitions, four unique bars and restaurants, and a grand ballroom for up to 750 guests.
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The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa and the Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel Appoint New Complex Director of Sales and Marketing

🏠 USA, Frisco, Texas, December 31, 2024: Robert Jones appointed as Complex Director of Sales and Marketing for The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa and The Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience, Jones aims to drive growth, strategic partnerships, and brand innovation. Previously achieved record-setting growth with leading hospitality brands, Jones will now focus on elevating the market presence and guest experience of both properties.
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