Hospitality Trends, Hospitality Management

Brittain Resorts & Hotels Introduces New AI-Driven Business Intelligence Technology Matrix

Brittain-Resorts-and-Hotels

Brittain Resorts & Hotels (BRH), the leading full-service hospitality management company in the Southeast, today introduced an industry-leading AI-driven business intelligence technology matrix, putting the company at the forefront of AI-led efforts within the industry. The move comes as BRH increases its service offerings as it expands further into third-party management for hotel owners seeking improved values and satisfaction measurements.

“While the hospitality industry traditionally has taken a ‘wait and see’ approach to new technologies, we have taken a much more aggressive approach at Brittain,” said Christy Jernigan, chief development officer, BRH. “AI and business intelligence are major data and analytics initiatives for Brittain, and we have integrated AI into its strategy. The business intelligence component allows us to understand and interpret our data across all channels for ongoing analysis and simplified reporting back to our owners. For the new systems we’ve added, the integration of AI, machine learning or business intelligence not only automates tasks but also offers predictive insights, optimization suggestions and enhanced user experiences.”

The new matrix includes multiple platforms, including guest data, social media management, guest messaging communication, revenue management, CRS, customer relationship management, market data, parity management, payroll and HR systems. For each, AI has been applied to improve the respective processes. For example, AI can analyze guest preferences and behaviors to automate and personalize marketing campaigns or optimize rate management by analyzing vast datasets, predict market demand, and adjust pricing strategies in real-time to maximize revenue. The system will run under Power BI, a robust data visualization and business analytics tool developed by Microsoft that connects to multiple data sources, allowing users to aggregate, analyze, visualize and share insights through interactive dashboards and reports.

“We are applying our Business Intelligence capabilities to provide multiple, tangible benefits to the hotels we operate,” Jernigan added. “From integrating with a hotel's property management system (PMS) to provide insights into guest demographics, preferences and behaviors to analyzing operational data to uncover inefficiencies in housekeeping, maintenance or F&B operations, this platform represents a cutting edge approach to working with the newest technologies available. These tools produce meaningful improvements to operations, which in turn lead to increased values for our shareholders.”

About Brittain Resorts & Hotels

Brittain Resorts & Hotels (BRH) is a full-service hospitality management company providing multi-layered expertise in all disciplines of hotel and resort operations. Since 1943, BRH has been enriching the lives of its team members, guests, partners, and the communities they serve by providing exceptional guest experiences, a supportive work environment, and superior returns. With over 4,000 rooms, suites, and condos in the portfolio, the company currently operates 22 hotels and resorts and 45+ restaurants & bars within the United States.

Spotlight

Other News
Travel Technology

Interval International Releases Its Top Travel Destinations for 2024 – to Inspire Vacation Enthusiasts

Business Wire | November 02, 2023

Interval International, a leading travel membership company, today announced its top destinations for 2024. For nearly 50 years, Interval has offered benefits and flexibility for vacation enthusiasts to explore the world's most desired destinations. Using data(1) from its nearly 1.6-million members worldwide, the company has compiled a list of its most in-demand destinations across its network of more than 3,200 affiliated resorts in over 90 countries and territories. While Interval members continue to seek out vacations in popular spots such as the Hawaiian Islands and across Florida, both known for their natural beauty and activities for all ages, member booking data indicates gained interest in international travel. European destinations such as Portugal and Scotland have increased in demand, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have also become a favorite among Caribbean destinations. Whistler, British Columbia is a newcomer to the list, joining top U.S. ski resorts such as Vail, Colorado and Park City, Utah. “Our members are clearly passionate about travel, and for 2024, it looks like newly discovered destinations are climbing towards the top of their list,” said Joanna Todd, senior vice president of global marketing at Interval. “Whether relaxing on a remote beach, visiting world-class museums and attractions, or skiing unexplored terrains, our travel savvy members are always looking for new places and experiences. And Interval offers them a multitude of incredible destinations and ways to enjoy their bucket-list vacations.” Below are Interval’s top in-demand destinations for 2024 travel. The Hawaiian Islands Orlando, Florida Aruba Florida's Gulf Coast Key West, Florida U.S. Virgin Islands Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Newport Coast, California Vail, Colorado Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada Park City, Utah Costa del Sol, Spain Phoenix, Arizona Breckenridge, Colorado Algarve, Portugal Cabo San Lucas, México Sint Maarten Whistler, British Columbia Glasgow, Scotland Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Interval’s travel membership products offer an expansive suite of benefits and tools to help create exceptional vacation experiences, including discounted hotel bookings and car rentals, special rates on cruises, and access to more than 300,000 tours and activities around the world. These, in addition to its vacation ownership exchange network made up of celebrated hospitality brands and unique independent resorts, help Interval’s members travel more often and to more destinations than they ever thought possible. Travel inspiration is delivered through Interval’s digital publication, where readers can explore a myriad of vacation ideas – full of places to relax, indulge, eat, shop, and make everlasting memories. About Interval International Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market since 1976. Today, Interval's exchange network comprises over 3,200 resorts in more than 90 countries and territories. Through offices in 12 countries, Interval offers world-class products and benefits to resort clients and nearly 1.6-million-member families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating business of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC), a leading global vacation company that offers vacation ownership, exchange, rental and resort and property management, along with related businesses, products, and services.

Read More

Travel Technology

RVshare Announces ChatGPT Plug-in to Redesign Travel Planning

RVshare | September 20, 2023

RVshare, the premier community for RV owners and renters, has unveiled an innovative ChatGPT plug-in, revolutionizing travel planning within the RVshare ecosystem. This cutting-edge technology serves as a virtual travel agent, ushering in a new era of personalized and seamless RV adventure planning for travelers. With a commitment to enhancing the user experience, this innovative solution caters to the diverse needs of its thriving RV community. In addition, it promises to redefine how travelers prepare for their journeys, offering a level of customization and convenience poised to elevate the RVshare experience. Melissa Turner Fortenberry, CPO at RVshare, said, "RVshare's ChatGPT plug-in marks a significant milestone in our commitment to creating exceptional experiences for our renters and owners." [Source – Cision PR Newswire] By leveraging the capabilities of AI technology, the company offers travelers exceptional support and guidance, guarantees that they can embark on an unforgettable and fulfilling RV journey, added Melissa. With this new plug-in, RVshare offers a range of remarkable capabilities, including: Tailored RV Options: ChatGPT utilizes information from the extensive RVshare community to provide personalized RV rental options that precisely match each individual's preferences, interests, and travel histories. Effortless Booking: Travelers can search for their ideal RV directly within the conversation, streamlining the procedure and minimizing friction. Instant Assistance: RVshare's ChatGPT plug-in provides near-instant responses to inquiries. Whether your questions revolve around rental availability, pricing, or specific RV features, ChatGPT delivers comprehensive answers with accompanying photos. Natural Language Conversations: The ChatGPT plug-in creates a connection akin to seeking advice from a fellow RV enthusiast. The system's exceptional language comprehension ensures effortless interactions. RVshare's ChatGPT plug-in signifies a transformative milestone for RV enthusiasts. It harnesses the prowess of artificial intelligence to offer an intelligent conversational assistant that caters to every traveler's distinct requirements. This innovative tool is poised to revolutionize RV travel planning, catering to novices and seasoned explorers alike. Users can access recommendations based on RV's extensive inventory and historical search data by typing in natural queries such as 'What RVs are available to rent near the Grand Canyon next weekend?'. This advanced feature makes RV travel more accessible, enjoyable, and user-centric than ever before. About RVshare RVshare, a leading online hub for RV renters and owners, offers a wide-ranging inventory of rental vehicles throughout the United States. Its diverse selection includes luxury motorhomes and cozy camper vans, accommodating various outdoor adventures, be it a weekend camping trip or an extensive cross-country exploration of national parks. RVshare empowers travelers to embark on their RV journeys independently or arrange for campsite delivery, experiencing the liberating essence of RV travel. With an impressive record of over 4 million nights booked under the open skies, families and groups can partake in extraordinary journeys, crafting indelible memories that endure for generations.

Read More

Hospitality Trends

Vietjet announces five new travel routes, speeding up international expansion

PR Newswire | October 04, 2023

Vietjet, Vietnam's largest private airline, has just announced the launch of five new international services from Vietnam to Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, further expanding its global network. This comes as exciting news for travellers throughout the Asia Pacific region, including Singapore, as they are set to fly at more affordable fares. Vietjet continues to fortify its Vietnam – Australia flight network by adding two new services from Ho Chi Minh City to Perth and Adelaide with five weekly flights, starting 21 November 2023. The new routes make Vietjet the first airline from Vietnam connecting to Australia's five largest cities of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The Hanoi – Hong Kong route will commence on 22 December 2023, with a daily frequency, departing from Hanoi at 08:55 and arriving in Hong Kong at 11:50. The return flight from Hong Kong to Hanoi will take off at 12:50 and land at 13:50 (local times). Travellers from Hong Kong can easily fly directly to all gateways of Vietnam's North – Central and South, to Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc, the emerging star of Vietnamese tourism will also welcome two new Vietjet's services to Korea and Taiwan. Accordingly, Vietjet will operate the daily Phu Quoc – Busan route, starting from 10 December 2023. The flights depart from Phu Quoc at 01:15 and land in Busan at 08:05. The return flight will depart Busan at 08:55 and land in Phu Quoc at 12:40 (local times). The Phu Quoc – Taipei direct service will operate from 17 January 2024, with a frequency of four flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The departure from Phu Quoc will be at 08:25 and the arrival in Taipei will be at 13:00. The return flights take off from Taipei at 14:00 and touch down in Phu Quoc at 16:50 (local times). Super Ticket Promotion to Celebrate New Services To mark the intensive new route introduction, Vietjet is offering an extraordinary promotion with ticket fares from just SGD80/one-way (inclusive of tax and fees) for all international services, including three routes between Singapore – Hanoi/Da Nang/ Ho Chi Minh City and other routes connecting via Vietnam. Booking for promotional tickets is available from now to 10 October 2023, with travel time up to one year until 31 October 2024 (Exclusive of public holidays, peak seasons). Discover the exciting new routes on Vietjet's new and eco-friendly aircraft, served by dedicated and professional cabin crew. Indulge in delectable diversity of hot and fresh meals, prepared for your satisfaction. Vietjet also goes the extra mile with the complimentary Sky Care insurance, ensuring your worry-free journey, and the exclusive Sky Joy loyalty program. Let's enjoy flying with Vietjet! About Vietjet The new-age carrier Vietjet has not only revolutionized the aviation industry in Vietnam but also been a pioneering airline across the region and around the world. With a focus on cost management ability, effective operations, and performance, applying the latest technology to all activities and leading the trend, Vietjet offers flying opportunities with cost-saving and flexible fares as well as diversified services to meet customers' demands. Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam's largest private carrier, the airline has been awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars by the world's only safety and product rating website airlineratings.com and listed as one of the world's 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in many consecutive years. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organizations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others.

Read More

Business Travel

With Stayntouch PMS & Kiosk, Sentral Achieves Service Excellence and Soars in ROI

PR Newswire | October 27, 2023

Stayntouch, a global leader in cloud hotel property management systems (PMS) and guest-centric technologies, expands their thriving partnership with Sentral, a leading full-building residential hospitality operator. Sentral boasts a network of Class A apartment properties across the U.S., offering flexible living services, authentic local experiences, premium amenities and community connection for residents and guests. Stayntouch PMS operates across 14 properties in the Sentral portfolio, including Sentral Michigan Avenue and Sentral Union Station. These establishments have integrated Stayntouch Kiosk for an elevated guest experience. By effectively utilizing Stayntouch's mobile and kiosk-driven upsell technology, Sentral properties have generated ample revenue to self-fund these systems. Sentral Michigan Avenue achieved a remarkable 253% ROI from their Kiosk subscription within a year, or a 120% ROI from their combined Kiosk and Cloud PMS subscriptions. Similarly, revenue from mobile-based early check-in offerings at Sentral Union Station covers their combined Cloud PMS and Kiosk subscription costs. Todd Butler, Chief Technology Officer at Sentral comments, "Stayntouch PMS and Kiosk has streamlined and enhanced our check-in process. Guests now have the option of a rapid, staff-less welcome experience, presented in a way that avoids any sense of pressure - the upsell decision rests entirely with the guest. The revenue generated from ancillary upsells and offers is significant, surpassing our subscription costs and tech investment with Stayntouch. We're extremely satisfied with the additional revenue to offset costs, all the while providing guests with an enriched stay." Priya Rajamani, VP of Implementation and Support at Stayntouch said, "We are very excited that Sentral has leveraged our platforms not only to enhance their guest experience but to boost their bottom line and generate a positive ROI. Ultimately, our mission is to develop technology to enhance hospitality for hotel operators, staff, and their guests, and we are proud that Sentral has been able to use our technology to reimagine flexible living communities." Sentral aims to roll out the Stayntouch Kiosk at additional properties, seeking to amplify financial benefits while consistently elevating the guest experience. About Sentral Sentral is the leading full-building residential hospitality operator, maximizing NOI lift for Class A owners through superior performance and enhanced experience. The company is redefining home for the modern renter by transforming upscale, multifamily properties into dynamic communities in the nation's most coveted cities. Sentral delivers flexible living services, authentic local experiences, premium amenities, community connection for residents and guests, and a tech-enabled platform that enhances operational efficiency. The company manages over $5 billion in Class A multifamily assets and is backed by world-class firms in technology, hospitality, and real estate, including ICONIQ Capital and Ascendant Capital Partners. Sentral is headquartered in San Francisco and Denver. About Stayntouch Stayntouch delivers a cloud-native and guest-centric hotel property management system (PMS) with a comprehensive library of over 1,100 integrations. Stayntouch's cloud-native PMS empowers independent hotels, hotel groups, and management companies to drive revenue, reduce costs, enhance service, and captivate their guests. In 2022, Stayntouch launched Stayntouch 2.0, a fully integrated technology suite featuring its core cloud-native PMS and guest kiosk solution, a comprehensive chain management module, a seamless booking engine (Stayntouch Booking), a robust payment processing platform (Stayntouch Pay), and a powerful channel manager. Stayntouch 2.0 enables hotels to streamline their operations, maximize and diversify their revenue streams, and deliver an even more enhanced guest experience with the innovation and support of one trusted technology partner. Stayntouch is supported by a team of professionals with deep roots in the hospitality industry and is a trusted partner to industry-leading management companies, including Sage Hospitality, HEI Hotels & Resorts, and EOS Hospitality, innovative independent brands such as Village Hotels, Pod Hotels, and First Hotels, and iconic flagship properties such as the TWA Hotel, Showboat Hotel Atlantic City, and Zoku Amsterdam.

Read More