Innovation

🏗️ Global China: Connecting The World Through Design, showcased works by architects and designers such as Neri&Hu, Büro Ole Scheeren, Paul Priestman, and FOG Architecture in Shanghai as part of the World Design Cities Conference (WDCC). The exhibition, highlighting international collaboration and China's growing design influence, ran from 27 to 30 September and featured models, sketches, photography, and films. Notable projects included the Tencent Helix by Scheeren, AIM City by AIM Architecture, and Viewpoint, a sightseeing ship concept by Priestman. FOG Architecture's work, including the ToSummer Flagship in Beijing, was also displayed.

🔒 In 2024, the average cost of a ransomware attack is $4.88M. By 2025, sophisticated booking fraud, including phishing sites and fake holiday deals, and AI-powered cyberattacks are expected to be regular occurrences. Nearly all security leaders (93%) anticipate AI-powered cyberattacks daily by 2025, which can autonomously adapt and evolve. The hospitality industry, with its wealth of personal and financial guest data, is a prime target. Organizations are encouraged to join initiatives like RH-ISAC to share intelligence and best practices.

💻 With 85% of IT leaders viewing CIOs as changemakers, it's crucial for hotel CIOs to drive progress and discard outdated legacy thinking. Centralized data systems ensure data-driven strategies and adaptability to guests' behaviors, essential for targeting Gen Z customers. Additionally, the adoption of cloud-based management systems increases productivity and profitability, while compliance with privacy regulations is streamlined. Cybersecurity is paramount, as 31% of hospitality providers have experienced data breaches, necessitating rigorous staff training and consistent enforcement of security protocols.

🍴 Famous Foods Street Eats at Resorts World Las Vegas selected Agilysys InfoGenesis POS, guest-facing kiosks, and additional solutions for its 24,000 square-foot dining area featuring 16 stalls. Since 2021, visitors could order and pay via interactive kiosks. The upgrades enable real-time menu and price changes, SMS notifications for order readiness, and player point payments integration. The system includes 34 IG Kiosks, Agilysys Pay, Agilysys Analyze, and a Kitchen Display System for improved efficiency and guest experience.

🍴 Famous Foods Street Eats at Resorts World Las Vegas selected Agilysys InfoGenesis POS and guest-facing kiosks to enhance 16 culinary stalls over a 24,000 square-foot area. Launched in 2021, the interactive kiosks allow diners to order, pay, and receive SMS alerts when food is ready, improving efficiency and guest satisfaction. The system’s flexibility permits real-time menu and pricing updates without downtime. Agilysys was chosen for its robust, user-friendly technology, proven in the hospitality industry, offering innovative, flexible solutions and strong customer support.

🏨 The Hotels Network (THN), serving over 20,000 hotels, launched Loyalty Lite, a platform for enhancing guest loyalty and streamlining login processes. Loyalty Lite enables hotels to offer exclusive rewards and competitive member rates, potentially increasing profitability by 20%. The solution works with or without a hotel's CRM, catering to all hotel types. Juanjo Rodriguez, CEO of THN, emphasizes that Loyalty Lite makes guest personalization accessible, offering an edge against larger chains and supporting direct bookings.

🌍 Custom Travel Solutions (CTS) has observed a growth in international transactions, now constituting 63% compared to 40% last year. Germany leads with 27%, followed by Italy at 7%, and Switzerland at 5%. In 2024, the US still holds a 37% share of total transactions. CEO Mike Putman aims for 75% of sales from outside the US by 2025, focusing on European and Asian markets, tapping into the global trend of subscription models for travel.

📱 Club Med integrates WhatsApp as a new communication channel, enabling customers and travel agents to access support and services easily. Leveraging an AI chatbot, available 24/7, users can inquire about resort details, book or modify reservations, and receive immediate assistance. Travel Experience Designers provide live chat services Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:30, Saturdays 9:00 to 16:30, and on bank holidays from 10:00 to 15:30. Conversations are securely recorded with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.