Innovation

📌 More than 85% of customers want proactive communication from businesses. Hotels should send pre-arrival information one week before the guest's arrival or upselling messages 3-4 days prior. Utilizing a hotel CRM can personalize and automate the process, allowing staff to focus on face-to-face interactions. Pre-arrival communication is crucial for setting expectations, upselling services, easing check-in, and managing OTA guest data. It's important to choose the right communication channel and not overwhelm guests with messages.

📍 Noida, October 8, 2024: FlyArystan, Kazakhstan's leading low-cost airline, extends its partnership with AirGain, part of RateGain Travel Technologies Limited. Utilizing AirGain’s platform, FlyArystan accesses real-time pricing data from 300+ airlines and 50+ OTAs, with a 98% data sufficiency rate. This reinforces their commitment to affordable fares and seamless booking in Central Asia. Yerkin Tursynbek, FlyArystan’s Manager of Revenue Management, emphasizes the platform's role in optimizing pricing and maintaining a competitive edge.

💰 The Cash Chasm Report indicates that 48% of hospitality businesses still manage cash manually, costing over $300,000 annually on security, and losing nearly $23,000 due to handling errors. To combat this, 35% of businesses encourage electronic payments, and similar percentages adopt regular staff training (35%), cash handling audits (32%), and stricter protocols (30%). CashTech, integrating hardware and software, is presented as a solution for real-time cash management, aiming to reduce costs, errors, and increase operational transparency, ultimately enhancing customer experience.

📢 Ottila International, established in 1997, is now fully integrated with STAAH, providing access to over 500,000 hotels worldwide through its B2B online reservation platform (www.ottila.net). This strategic partnership enhances inventory management and pricing updates, contributing to efficient operations for hoteliers and a diverse accommodation range for B2B clients. The integration streamlines processes such as minimizing overbookings and manual data entry, while bolstering distribution and meeting market demands.

🍔 Wendy's UK turnover increased from £21.2m in 2022 to £31.9m in 2023. Pre-tax profits dropped slightly from £1.4m to £1.2m. The company expanded from six to 12 company-owned restaurants in 2022, ending 2023 with an additional 24 franchises. Restaurant sales contributed £19.6m and management fees £11.4m to 2023 turnover. Plans include growing to 45-50 UK restaurants by end of 2024, targeting 400 long-term. CFO Gunther Plosch cited the UK as a strategic market and a gateway to Europe.

💿 Mews Terminal S2, a portable device for order taking, payment processing, and guest interaction, increases service efficiency and satisfaction. Key features include real-time order transmission, built-in tipping, and full synchronization with Mews Payments. It's secure with end-to-end encryption, has a 15-hour battery life, supports various payment methods including EMV chip cards, and is designed to be durable. This all-in-one solution aims to streamline restaurant operations and improve the overall guest experience.

PRESS RELEASE: Berlin, October 7, 2024 – The German startup Onsai is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking AI-driven voice solution, which is set to transform operational efficiency…

💻 Onsai's founding team consists of AI and hospitality experts: Jochen Emig, CEO with a Machine Learning focus from Harvard University, founded a KI agency in 2016, serving giants like Telekom and BMW. Ralf Bonin, COO, a former hotel group manager, was awarded for innovative HR concepts. Christian Müller, CPO, spearheaded the digital revamp of Schani Hotels' systems. Tobias Koehler, CCO, with a background in hotel group leadership, currently advises on hotel digitalization.

☕ Harding Group uses Mews for managing multiple hospitality properties in Trolltunga, Norway since January 2024. Mews simplifies reservation management, enhances guest experiences with automated emails and plans for smart locks implementation. Staff training through Mews University is intuitive, likened to using a smartphone. Rate management is streamlined, allowing for pricing years ahead and automating payments with fewer errors. Mews is praised for its continual evolution, likened to upgrading from a Nokia 3310 to the newest iPhone.

🏖 Anna Marie Presutti, appointed President & CEO of San Francisco Travel, aims to reinvigorate tourism and hospitality in San Francisco through innovative strategies and collaboration. On October 6, 2024, she revealed plans including the "It All Starts Here" campaign and addressed emerging travel trends. Presutti highlighted the significance of tourism for the city's economy and opportunities for businesses to partner with San Francisco Travel to foster growth and recovery.