Hospitality Management
Article | July 18, 2023
A holiday abroad is an exciting experience, a chance to be in a new place where you can enjoy the sights and food, and have that much-needed break you need. Whether you are off to visit family or friends or plan to embark on an adventure as a tourist, holidays are the best way to leave work behind for a while and do something nice for yourself. With all the hard work you have been doing, you deserve a break.
Going on a trip also takes careful preparation to ensure that everything goes according to plan. If you start preparing in advance, you can cover all the details and relax while away, knowing everything is in place. It is also best to get travel insurance. With it, you provide yourself with coverage against certain travel risks like cancellations, missing luggage, and medical expenses, should you require them while away from home. Of course, it is always best to be safe than sorry, and details like this reduce stress and keep you prepared for anything on your holiday.
Below are some travel preparation tips for a stress-free and enjoyable holiday.
Try to travel light
Travelers find it challenging to pack for a trip. We tend to take extras along with us, fearing that something could come up and we might need certain items. However, it is always better to pack light, as long as you have the essentials with you. Avoid over-packing and stick to the necessities for a less stressful vacation. If you are flying to your destination, have your travel documents organized and in your possession at all times. Find out what the weather is like where you are going and choose suitable clothing to pack.
Be prepared for anything
You never know what can happen during a holiday trip. You may encounter a few snags such as delays, a change of weather conditions, closed roads, etc. So, prepare for unexpected situations and know what to do if they happen. Furthermore, arriving hours earlier than your flight at the airport keeps you relaxed, which you should be since it is your holiday. If security lines are long and time is of the essence, being there early helps you take it easy rather than rush to reach your flight on time.
Book your flight as early as possible
Ensure that you get to leave on your preferred dates by booking your flight as early as possible. There have been a few changes in many airline companies where people can quickly make cancellations and other changes. Additionally, there is now limited seating in planes. This means that they fill up the seats faster. Apart from booking your flight in advance, it would also help to book hotel accommodations and other planned activities early on.
A holiday is even more enjoyable when you have planned everything out. Make the necessary preparations so when you get to your destination, all that's left to do is relax and enjoy your vacation.
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Business Travel
Article | May 17, 2023
Learn how adopting advanced travel technology services can improve your operations in the digital age and evade business complexities. Embrace these technologies for better business growth.
Contents
1. Overview of Travel Technology
2. Importance of Technology in Travel Management
2.1 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
2.2 Virtual and Augmented Reality
2.3 Software and Its Application
2.4 Automation, Analysis and Reporting
2.5 GPS Tracking and Emergency Assistance
2.6 Expense Tracking and Management Tools
2.7 Mobile Wallets and Digital Payments
3. Challenges and Considerations
3.1 Privacy and Data Security Concerns
3.2 Integration with Legacy Systems
3.3 Employee Adoption and Training
4. Conclusion
1. Overview of Travel Technology
Technology has not only influenced the lifestyles of human civilization but also completed them to live with it. With proper technology integration in business travel, they can thrive in today's digital world. The travel technology serviceslike artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, software applications, automation, GPS tracking, emergency services, expense tracking, and digital payments enhance travel management.
This article evaluates the importance of technology in the travel management sector. Using artificial intelligence, software tools, and digital channels is vital for travel business growth. With advanced technology, businesses enhance customer experience, convenience, support, and retention. For example, the technology-based 24/7 customer support and risk management services for an emergency can respond even when the employee is absent. Such automation is the future of travel management services.
2. Importance of Technology in Travel Management
2.1 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Upgrading artificial intelligence solutions increase the reliability and effectiveness of the travel management company's services. There is a vast implementation of AI and machine learning in the tourism sector. Corporate travel technology assists businesses with administrative tasks and customer services. It provides enhanced personalization, valuable advice, and speedy response in the employees' absence. In addition, many hotels and resorts use these tools for better services and brand awareness.
2.2 Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual and augmented reality enables hotels and travel-related businesses to enhance the physical environments to encourage customer engagement in local sights and hotel rooms. Customers highly research travel purchases as they require detailed information before arrival, and even after their arrival, it renders relevant information 24/7. Therefore, adopting AR and virtual reality in the travel industry is a must to cope with changing customer lifestyles and behavior toward technology trends. Modern customers often use smartphones, so using augmented reality apps is easy to use.
2.3 Software and Its Application
Travel management software provides users with a platform for planning, purchasing, and recording travel expenses. Travel agency uses this software to simplify purchasing decisions, centralize records of employee travel expenses, and control travel budgets with digital transformation.
2.4 Automation, Analysis, and Reporting
Automation optimizes travel routes according to the choices of the customers. It manages the inventory and analyzes the business travel, maintains the travel reports, and predicts the increase in demand for a particular period. Even with the latest innovation in business travel technology, artificial intelligence like ChatGPT can integrate seamlessly to automate different tasks of businesses from applications like chatbots and others.
2.5 GPS Tracking Its Emergency Assistance
The technology-based solutions for travel businesses ensure the workforce's well-being, safety, and security. With constantly evolving travel risks, enterprises need a permanent solution that can adapt to changing travel circumstances and customize to the needs of companies and customers. It provides not only updated information, location, and incident monitoring during travel but also critical event response for safety, as well as suggesting alternatives to the traveler's existing plan.
2.6 Expense Tracking and Management Tools
Travel businesses generate a vast amount of data on financial transactions, which can become tedious to manage. To address this issue, travel tech companies offer solutions to organize, monitor, and analyze travel expenses while ensuring compliance with policies. In addition, based on past travel experience, it predicts future travel of business travelers.
2.7 Mobile Wallets and Digital Payments
Mobile wallets and digital payments are influencing the growth of travel businesses. The leading travel technology company provides a profitable, convenient, and secure experience to customers. Many use mobile devices for payment using different applications, making it easy to purchase through a simple scan or click.
3. Challenges and Considerations
3.1 Privacy and Data Security Concerns
With the increasing amount of sensitive information being collected and shared, travel management companies must follow all applicable privacy laws and regulations. In addition, they must take precision to protect data from unauthorized access, breaches, and cyber-attacks. It can involve implementing strong data encryption and access controls, monitoring systems for suspicious activity, and ensuring that all employees get training in best practices for data security.
3.2 Integration with Legacy Systems
Many travel companies have invested heavily in legacy systems, which are difficult to replace or upgrade. However, failing to integrate new technologies can lead to inefficiencies, huge data collection, and missed opportunities. Incorporating new technologies involves developing new APIs, migrating data to new systems, or adopting new technologies that work alongside legacy systems.
3.3 Employee Adoption and Training
Employees must get training on using new technologies and learn the resources they need to succeed. It can involve providing ongoing training and support, establishing clear communication channels, and developing incentives for adoption. Travel managers must address any concerns or resistance from employees and work to build excitement for new technologies. Technology and travel are reliant on each other for their business growth and enhancement.
4. Conclusion
The usage of the advanced latest technology in the travel management industry is evolving rapidly. Travel businesses integrate the travel technology company to enhance responses and customer experience and stand out. Modern customers demand personalized travel experiences with 24/7 support of GPS tracking, travel monitoring, optimized travel routes, and quick alerts in emergencies.
Techno-savvy customers rely more on digital payments and prefer mobile wallets for travel booking. Travel businesses must integrate digital channels to retain and attract these customers. There are particular challenges while using advanced travel technology, like privacy and data security and aligning with legacy systems. In addition, travel managers must encourage employee adoption and training for new technologies.
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Hospitality Management
Article | June 20, 2023
Embrace the power of technology and revolutionize your hospitality business! Discover the latest trends in hospitality management software for enhanced efficiency and unforgettable guest experiences.
Staying ahead of the competition requires embracing innovative technologies in the rapidly evolving hospitality industry. Hospitality management software is crucial in streamlining operations, enhancing guest experiences, and boosting efficiency. This article will explore seven trending hospitality management software solutions that are revolutionizing the industry. From property management systems to guest experience platforms, these cutting-edge tools offer a wide range of features and capabilities.
1. TravelNet Solutions
TravelNet Solutions offers exceptional hospitality property management software, Track, which is designed to streamline operations and elevate guest experiences. At the heart of Track is its flagship property management system (PMS), a robust solution that efficiently handles all the back-office requirements, including trust accounting, automation, and housekeeping. What sets Track apart is its best-in-class hospitality customer relationship management (CRM) module. Its integrated system enables guest-related activity to link seamlessly with their record, eliminating the need for module switching or legacy record-keeping methods. Everything is securely stored in the cloud which ensures smooth functionality and accessibility. Additionally, TravelNet Solutions provides Track Pulse Contact Center Software by further enhancing customer interactions.
2. AmTrav
AmTrav provides cutting-edge software for the hospitality industry by revolutionizing traditional business travel solutions. Unlike clunky and frustrating systems, AmTrav is a seamless software and service platform designed to cater to the needs of modern businesses. By focusing on solving current challenges such as meetings and group travel, it offers a comprehensive suite of features. Its connected platform ensures a unified experience through streamlining business travel management. Tailored specifically for hospitality management systems, it optimizes productivity and efficiency, making travel business a breeze. With its commitment to assisting business travelers, AmTrav goes beyond being a mere software SaaS platform.
3. Operto Guest Technologies
Operto'sadvanced travel and hospitality management software enables seamless oversight of operations by consolidating PMS, access, and guest experience solutions into a user-friendly platform. With its innovative technology, one can effortlessly automate housekeeping scheduling and task management operations. By implementing simple and complex scheduling rules, the platform eliminates guesswork and assigns tasks to appropriate personnel. Operto Connect is a comprehensive hospitality operating system that integrates property management tools into a unified platform. From importing and managing guest reservations to controlling intelligent locks, thermostats, and noise monitoring on a per-room basis, Operto streamlines operations. This hospitality management system combines IoT hardware solutions with intuitive software to enhance guest experiences and drive operational efficiencies for property owners and managers alike.
4. Spotnana
Spotnana, a hospitality software, revolutionizes travel management with its comprehensive features. The platform simplifies the complexities of travel management by highlighting global travel policies, traveler health and safety, and robust analytics. Powered by a modern infrastructure, it enables a new generation of travel experiences, providing travelers with a wide range of unbiased options through deep direct NDC integrations with major airlines worldwide. Spotnana's platform ensures unprecedented visibility and control on a global scale, empowering businesses to optimize their travel programs. With dynamic global policies and unrivaled search capabilities, Spotnana's hospitality management tools future-proof the travel program and streamline operations.
5. Deem, Inc.
Deem is a hospitality management system software that caters to the evolving needs of employees and companies alike. Designed to enhance productivity, problem-solving capabilities, and cost control, Deem provides travel managers with a customizable and user-friendly platform to service their travelers efficiently. With a mobile-first approach, its intuitive suite of travel booking and hospitality management tools, led by Etta, enables seamless hotel, air, and car accommodation bookings from any device. Etta's accessibility and user-friendly interface ensure effortless travel planning, updates, itinerary changes, and more, even while on the go. The hotel management software provider's corporate travel booking solution is adopted by global travel management companies and corporate customers due to its unrivaled searches, personalized support, and valuable program insights.
6. ITILITE
A fully integrated travel and expense management solution, ITILITE optimizes spending while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of employees. Founded by experienced corporate travelers who understood the challenges of balancing cost and employee experience, ITILITE identifies the inefficiencies and complexities surrounding business travel. Recognizing the disparity between personal and business travel processes, ITILITE aimed to bring technological advancements to the corporate travel landscape. With unified travel and expense features, the platform drives convenience, control, and savings, empowering organizations worldwide.
7. DIB Travel
DIB Travel simplifies booking and expense management with its travel management software. Say goodbye to endless searches and multiple open tabs. With DIB Travel, booking a hotel, flight, and additional transportation options is done in three minutes. Partnered with renowned platforms like Booking.com and Expedia, DIB Travel provides access to over 1.5 million hotels and a wide selection of flights from major and low-cost airlines. Enjoy the convenience of selecting the preferred options and securing any seat effortlessly. Streamline the payment process with DIB Travel's business travel management software, which consolidates all travel expenses into a single, concise invoice. Additionally, the software offers customizable policies, approval flows, and a personalized expense management service.
In a Nutshell
Integrating advanced hospitality management software holds immense potential to revolutionize the industry. Imagine a world where smart AI-powered systems seamlessly handle all aspects of property management, guest interactions, and operational processes. These futuristic software solutions utilize machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics to anticipate guest preferences, personalize experiences, and optimize resource allocation. Virtual and augmented reality technologies immerse guests in immersive environments, enhancing their stay and creating unforgettable memories.
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Hospitality Trends
Article | January 3, 2022
If a kid comes to me nowadays and tells me about his passion for working in the hotel industry, he goes back home with a dream to become a pilot. I am not saying that the hotel industry is the worst kind of industry currently existing in today’s environment, but I am also not denying that.
Now, no offence to the hoteliers. You guys rock! It is no joke to work on a New Year Eve and see other people celebrating it while you guys make it happen. You have my respect! But I am probably not that tough. It took me a whole trial and error approach to declare this industry a nightmare for me. But I have so many of my friends still working in hotels and loving every second of their life. (At least that’s what they tell me.)
So why were our experiences so different? Why do I know that so many people are not really made for this industry? And what does it take to be a hotelier? I will try to answer these questions through my experience and observations.
Why Hotel Management?
It is that one question that is the most common and important one. Before taking any big decision, one should be asking a similar question. But what was my why?
Allow me to rewind my journey. I was in my 12th with commerce stream, and I was going through that self-enquiry phase. What after this? There was no 13th, nor did I enjoy accountancy too much to do it until I die.
So I used to surf the internet and explore different career options almost every day. That was one of my significant hobbies during that time. I used to evaluate my choices, and very soon I understood that I had limited options in the commerce field. So it was arts then? But what was the median salary in that sector?
After a lot of research, I realised the median salary in the arts sector was ‘disappointing’.
But still, if not that, then what? What was I going to do with my life? It was then that I saw the picture of a cruise ship and remembered 'Titanic'. It was then that I imagined the luxury of a 5-star hotel. It was that moment where I was about to make one of the stupidest decisions of my life.
I had never stepped into a kitchen nor showed the slightest interest in making any dish. I never really fancied cleaning glasses, nor did I like managing people under me. I also didn’t know absolutely anything about what was this industry all about.
But I dared to share it with my sister, and she was like, wow! It sounds so different! I told this to my friends, and they were like, wow! We always knew you would be doing something different! I told this to my father, and he told me students have to clean toilets during the internship, and I shouted, ‘But that’s not a big deal! Anyone can do that!’ Dad said, ‘Do whatever you want to do then, my son.’
Well, so what did I want apart from freedom in my life at that point? Maybe maturity? Oh! Screw that!
So I gave the entrance exam and got a decent rank. I desired to stand in the lobby of a 5-star-hotel and meet salacious women. I was pretty sure that many women would choose that industry apart from me. That was enough motivation! So yes, my reasons to choose the hotel industry was very logical and thoughtful, suffice to say.
What Happens in a Hotel?
The hotel industry is one of the most glamorous industries out there. Everything is so clean, eloquent, expensive, and pretty. People come to a 5-star hotel, are warmly welcomed, served drinks; they are provided comfortable beds to sleep in, and they enjoy their stay and endless services. Then they simply check out.
My only mistake while considering this option was that I wouldn’t be treated like one of those ‘People’ there. In our very first lecture, the term ‘Guest’ was taught to us and how we are not them. We are the ones who would serve them. We would be the waiters, the cooks, the greeters, the bartenders, etc. We wouldn’t be drinking with them but watching them while they would be cavorting.
That was a shocker! So many things happen in a hotel, and hoteliers make those things happen. They do all the hard work. The Bakery Chef would spend hours decorating the cake, which the guests would smash on each other's faces. The housekeeper would clean the bathtub while the guest would take five more baths after that.
The front desk agent would be greeting the guest during check-in, and the guest would throw tantrums because of his arduous journey. Suddenly my bubble broke, and I realised what I really signed for. I signed for an everyday vacation in hell.
Who Survives?
I think adulthood is about that realisation when you get to know that bread isn’t free. And what buys that bread isn’t that easy to get. And how much that thing matters to you is going to decide how happy you are going to be in your life.
If I was that guy who had grown up watching Masterchef and experimenting in the Kitchen all my life, then a Gordon Ramsey could have come out of me.
If I were a fastidious guy who wanted everything to be clean and perfect, then an entrepreneur or a manager could have come out of me who would have tried to do that during his job.
If I were a guy who loved making people smile, then interacting with guests while serving the food or taking their check-ins would have been the best things out there for me.
You get my point! There are so many things that could have made hotel management an ideal career choice for me. It really is a glamorous industry, and it can provide satisfaction as a career option to some people out there. But that wasn’t the case with me. Sadly that wasn’t the case with many of my batchmates and colleagues of mine as well.
After completing my three-year graduation, four-month industrial training, and one-year job as a Front Desk Agent, I quit. Nor could the managers inspire me, nor any other incentives that the industry had to offer. My future looked as grim as the life of an insect (No offence to you if you are an insect.)
So yes, be wise before choosing this industry because this industry demands a lot! It is one of the most selfless jobs out there, and you have to be prepared for the nasty feedbacks after all your hard work. So do some self-inspection (Unlike me) if you are stuck in this industry or are planning to do so.
And if you love where you are right now, then as I said, you have my respect.
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