Mid 2017 Technology Report

NEWSFEED

August 3, 2017

by Joshua Molina of Skytouch Technology

We're more than halfway through 2017 already - how did that happen? One thing that we do know is that technology continues to be the major influencer for the hospitality industry. Here's our mid-year report of the three major hospitality technology trends fascinating us so far, this year.

1) Actionable Data

"Actionable Data" may be the biggest buzz phrase of the year. It's been one of the most elusive pieces to the lodging industry's customer service puzzle for decades. Now we're finally able to convert all that vast information that's been collected and transform it into actionable insights that can be used to generate revenue. This was a major topic of discussion at this year's HITEC.

Actionable Data is the "final frontier" - giving us new ways to enhance customer. For example, SkyTouch capitalizes on Actionable Data with the SkyTouch Technology Experience Program (STEP). STEP allows hoteliers to collect and act upon a guest's "likes" while eschewing their "dislikes". The cloud based SkyTouch Hotel OS® is a property management system that allows hotel associates to build guest profiles that will tailor more personalized experiences during future stays- allowing a hotel owner to capitalize on the latest consumer behavior trends at any point in time.

2) Robots

During the last year, robots have rolled into the hotel universe in a big way. Robots have quickly gone from gimmick to a viable business approach, and according to industry icon Robert Alter, president of Seaview Investors in an article within Travel Weekly, "We feel that it pays for itself, more from a guest-satisfaction standpoint than from labor savings". Seaview utilizes the Relay robot at their Residence Inn Los Angeles LAX.

When guests get behind a technology, then we know it's a smart one to explore incorporating into a hotel's business model.

3) Automation

The escalation of labor costs that are pushing up wages in all areas of the hotel business has become a major issue across the hospitality industry. The pressure is mounting on hoteliers to find ways to moderate their operation expenses at manageable levels. Automation is helping hoteliers find ways to provide guests with topnotch service while at the same time freeing employees from once laborious and costly tasks. A PMS like the SkyTouch Hotel OS® can help hotel operators reduce potentially wasted hours in myriad ways. A cloud based PMS can leverage two-way channel distribution management via XML connections with Online Travel Agency (OTA), Global Distribution System (GDS) and a customizable (branded) Internet Booking Engine (IBE) to display the hotel everywhere at once. This helps save time and money - instead of updating multiple distribution systems, operations staff only need to update inventory in one place. The PMS does the work of updating all of your distribution channels for you.

There's more to come in 2017

We will be watching these trends, and looking out for what's coming next. Stay tuned - we will give you our 2017 wrap up and forecast what's coming in 2018 near the end of the year.

Skytouch Technology can assist you with your technology needs, contact

Gail Gust at (602) 337-2835 or [email protected]
www.skytouchtechnology.com

8 Steps to Keep Workers Safe in the Heat

By Mandy Edens of Department of Labor

Keep workers safe in hot weather with water, rest and shade.

California employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat illness:

Training: Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
Water: Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour, or four 8 ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so.
Shade: Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
Planning: Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Click here to learn more.

The Olympics Are Coming to Los Angeles in 2028

By Michael R. Blood / AP / reported by Time

Updated: Jul 31, 2017 1:19 AM ET | Originally published: Jul 31, 2017

(LOS ANGELES) - Los Angeles has reached an agreement with International Olympic leaders that will open the way for the city to host the 2028 Summer Games, while ceding the 2024 Games to rival Paris, officials announced Monday.

The deal would make LA a three-time Olympic city, after hosting the 1932 and 1984 Games.

With the agreement, the city is taking "a major step toward bringing the Games back to our city for the first time in a generation," Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement.

He called it a "historic day for Los Angeles, for the United States" and the Olympic movement.

The agreement follows a vote earlier this month by the International Olympic Committee to seek an unusual deal to award the 2024 and 2028 Games simultaneously. Paris is the only city left to host the 2024 Games.

The Los Angeles City Council and U.S. Olympic Committee board of directors will consider the agreement in August. If approved, the IOC, LA and Paris could enter a three-part agreement, clearing the way for the IOC to award the 2024 Games to Paris, and the 2028 Games to LA. The IOC vote is scheduled for September, in Lima, Peru.

In a statement, the Paris bid committee welcomed the announcement in Los Angeles but stopped short of confirming the obvious, that Paris is in line for the 2024 Games.

"Paris 2024 is proud to be working together with the IOC and our friends in Los Angeles to reach a positive solution for both cities, the Games and the whole Olympic Movement for 2024 and 2028," committee co-chair Tony Estanguet said.

In embracing what amounted to the second-place prize and an 11-year wait, LA will receive a financial sweetener.

Click here for full article.

Save The Date!

California Lodging Expo & Conference

November 6, 2017

Hilton Concord

The year's most popular Lodging Trade Show is just around the corner. Attendees can look forward to a full day of education, enlightenment and:

 Cash prizes
 Vacation getaway prizes
 Industry Luncheon
 Wine Tasting and Evening Reception
 Educational Sessions
 Networking, Fun and much more

Click here for registration and information

Thank you to our sponsors!