DESTINATION AND TOURISM
prnewswire | April 19, 2023
Leading IT managed services provider (MSP) CMIT Solutions is growing its capacity to serve the hospitality industry with the assistance of HKW, a middle-market private equity firm focused on growth companies in the US and Canada. CMIT Solutions is one of only a few MSPs with hospitality-specific IT and cybersecurity expertise and solutions. HKW's support will help CMIT Solutions bring even more industry-aligned innovation to hoteliers through initiatives like increasing operational efficiencies and IT services fulfillment capabilities.
"For many years, we have been the go-to IT and security services provider for more than 400 hotel operators in 41 states. Our reputation for exceptional service within this space is strong, and now we have the opportunity to build on these strengths to define the next level of IT and security support for this rapidly evolving industry," said Jason Arabian, CMIT Solutions Chief Strategy Officer and founder of the CMIT Solutions Central Rhode Island location that shaped the company's extensive hospitality service offerings. "We have an intimate knowledge of the industry that we've leveraged to create and fine tune a hospitality-specific IT and cybersecurity service bundle. HKW's investment enables our team to improve and scale our capabilities so we can deliver even bigger and better MSP solutions tailored to the hospitality industry."
HKW's backing strengthens CMIT Solution's ability to assist a greater number of large hoteliers with expansive portfolios. Establishing a larger central team of IT and security professionals will provide clients with solutions for larger and more complex projects. According to American Hotel and Lodging Association, the demand for hotel lodging has increased 11.1% over the past 12 months. The continued growth of the hospitality industry increases its cyber risk profile driving the need for more sophisticated IT and cybersecurity products and solutions — this makes it the optimum time for HKW's support.
CMIT Solutions offers a broad spectrum of technology services, from proactive computer monitoring and maintenance to cybersecurity solutions, with quick support when unexpected crises occur. Through locally-owned locations backed by an expansive network of nationwide resources and technology partners, CMIT Solutions has carved out its niche as an IT company that provides customers with unparalleled levels of one-to-one attention and advanced technology. As a result, the local business community now has a competitive advantage in today's increasingly challenging marketplace.
About CMIT Solutions
CMIT Solutions LLC (CMIT) is a leading Managed Services Provider (MSP) franchisor delivering information technology (IT) and cybersecurity solutions to businesses. Through a large network of enterprise-class technology resources, the company supports businesses anywhere in the United States and Canada, and its locally owned franchise model enables CMIT to serve customers through high-trust, direct relationships. CMIT offers a wide variety of services and products, including IT management and maintenance, cybersecurity monitoring, help desk support, data backup and recovery, and more. The organization has ranked in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for eight consecutive years and is designated as a World Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute.
Read More
BUSINESS TRAVEL
businesswire | May 19, 2023
Selina Hospitality PLC the fast-growing experiential hospitality brand targeting millennial and Gen Z travelers, announces the launch of registration for the TechnoArt@Selina Global Innovation Summer Cohort. This program, in collaboration with and managed by TechnoArt, a renowned global innovation platform for startups, offers a unique opportunity for burgeoning companies.
This innovative three-week program aims to assist startups in scaling their company using Selina’s extensive network across 24 countries. Taking place at Selina locations worldwide, selected companies will gain the unique opportunity to live and work from our hotels. They'll collaborate with companies, mentors, advisors, and investors from around the globe and benefit from TechnoArt's partner network for business development, legal and financial consulting, hosting, web services, marketing, branding, and more from top tier companies such as Next.Law by Shulman Rogers, AWS, Pérez Correa González, Brandsight and more.
"At Selina, we strive to foster a vibrant, community-focused setting that unites travel, work, and networking," said Sam Khazary, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Corporate Development at Selina. "Our Corporate Development team is instrumental in this mission, acting as the catalyst that brings entrepreneurial spirit to life within our spaces. This partnership with TechnoArt underscores our commitment to support startups and innovation. It's not just about providing a space to work and live, but also about cultivating a nurturing ecosystem for learning, growth, and business development. This initiative allows us to give back to the communities we operate in, whilst simultaneously fostering the inspiration and education needed for the next generation of global entrepreneurs."
Tristan Jehan, Innovation Partner at TechnoArt, said, "In an increasingly interconnected world, we're seeing a new breed of entrepreneurs who are seeking to broaden their horizons, connect more deeply with their clients and partners online, and tap into untapped markets. This evolution, coupled with the burgeoning digital nomad community, heralds a refreshing approach to growth for tech companies. As advocates for this new wave of innovation, we at TechnoArt are thrilled to work alongside Selina's team to offer this unique program. This initiative is designed not only to bolster the community but also to facilitate innovation, no matter where it originates. By integrating work, life, and travel, we aim to create an environment that stimulates growth, fosters collaboration, and empowers entrepreneurs to thrive on a global scale."
The Selina Corporate Development team, in collaboration with TechnoArt, is committed to providing robust support to entrepreneurs and service providers keen on joining the program, either virtually or in-person. We're extending our reach across the globe through TechnoArt.LIVE Local events, hosting in dynamic cities such as Bogota, Colombia; Mexico City, Mexico; Panama City, Panama; London, UK; Lisbon, Portugal; and key US locations including Miami, Washington DC, Chicago, and New York. These gatherings serve as vital nodes in our expanding network, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation. To learn more about these events and how you can be a part of this transformative journey, visit TechnoArt.LIVE.
About Selina Hospitality PLC.
Selina is one of the world's largest hospitality brands built to address the needs of millennial and Gen Z travelers, blending beautifully designed accommodation with coworking, recreation, wellness, and local experiences. Founded in 2014 and custom-built for today's nomadic traveler, Selina provides guests with a global infrastructure to seamlessly travel and work abroad. Each Selina property is designed in partnership with local artists, creators, and tastemakers, breathing new life into existing buildings in interesting locations in 24 countries on six continents – from urban cities to remote beaches and jungles. To learn more, visit Selina.com or follow Selina on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin or YouTube.
Read More
AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
prnewswire | March 30, 2023
AMTRAV, the one connected platform for business travel, today announced upgrades to its corporate booking solution to continue delivering travelers and corporate travel customers the full selection of American Airlines' flights and lowest fares, even as American changes how the carrier's flights can be booked through third party corporate booking platforms beginning in April.
In an effort to modernize the shopping experience for travelers, American Airlines recently mandated that all travel agencies use "New Distribution Capability" (NDC) technology to shop and sell American flights by April 2023. NDC was developed by airlines to distribute fares, offers, and other products online faster and with more transparency than the previous travel technology. For those booking tools not connected, travelers will lose access to up to 40% of American's lowest fares and face the tough choice: book higher American fares with their current provider in order to maintain spend and safety visibility or let travelers book lower American fares outside the system, but lose spend and safety visibility.
Although many legacy travel management companies (TMCs) have resisted transitioning – citing the difficulty and complexity – AmTrav has been an outspoken proponent of modernization for many years. In 2019, AmTrav became the first business travel platform to process NDC bookings with American and today is one of a very small number of providers ready to provide uninterrupted access to American's lowest fares.
"Business travel tools already have a perception problem among travelers, because so few corporate travel booking platforms have been willing to invest time and money to modernize the user experience," said AmTrav CEO Jeff Klee. "We've taken a different approach. Because we build all of our own technology with fewer dependencies on slow, legacy third party systems, we can deliver for our travelers the type of shopping experience they get when they book personal travel, while at the same time providing their companies with the visibility, control, and savings they need."
With its latest enhancements, AmTrav's "NDC ready" solution, more than ever, brings business travelers and their companies:
Lower Fares on American: Booking tools that have not tapped into American's NDC content will be more expensive 40% of the time.
Access to All of American's Fare Brands: Compare and choose from the full menu of American's offerings, including the new Main Plus and Main Select bundles which include free extra legroom seats, among other benefits.
Full Choice of Seats: Get access to every available seat, including Preferred and Main Cabin Extra, with perks from your AAdvantage status (if applicable) automatically factored in.
Personalized Comparison-Shopping: A rich, complete comparison-shopping experience to help travelers make smart choices with details, photos, and reviews to inform fare rules, fees, seat size, WiFi, entertainment, and so much more.
Full Visibility and Control: Like any other booking, American NDC bookings work seamlessly with AmTrav's real-time reporting, travel policy and approval flows, unused ticket tracking, and traveler locator services, keeping travel managers and C-suite execs happy.
About AmTrav
AmTrav is an award-winning, modern technology and service platform designed to make business travel personal and productive. Companies of all sizes use AmTrav to book trips, find savings, set travel policies, manage payments and expenses, and keep their travelers safe. Travelers and companies love AmTrav's powerful platform that provides a seamless travel management experience supported by our experts who are always ready to help 24x7. More than 1000 businesses trust AmTrav to go places, meet people, and go further.
Read More