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The hospitality industry, with its treasure trove of personal and financial data, has become a prime target for cybercriminals. High-profile data breaches at major hotel chains and restaurants make headlines with alarming frequency, underscoring the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. In this blog article, we'll explore why the risk of data breaches is so acute in the hospitality sector and what businesses can do to safeguard their guests' information.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications are rapidly transforming the hospitality industry. AI-powered chatbots and recommendation systems can provide immediate assistance and tailored experiences to guests, but they lack the emotional intelligence and nuanced understanding that human employees can offer. The key to success in the future of hospitality lies in a seamless integration of AI and human capabilities.

By embracing innovative technology solutions, hotels can elevate the guest experience and enhance operational efficiency. The Guest App, Staff App, and Smart Valet services have proven to increase guest satisfaction, reduce wait times, streamline operations, and improve security.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the hotel industry is embracing technological advancements to enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and increase efficiency. A key player in this transformation is the rise of hotel-tech ecosystems, offered by innovative PaaS (Platform as a Service) providers. In this blog, we will explore how these ecosystems are revolutionizing the hotel industry by enabling properties to digitize their operations effortlessly, with native staff and guest apps as a plug-and-play system.

In the digital epoch, mobile applications have evolved beyond personal conveniences, becoming catalysts for transformation in various industries. Notably, the hospitality sector has harnessed the potential of mobile apps to redefine guest experiences. 

Native, web, and hybrid apps each have their pros and cons. You would want to become familiar with these advantages and disadvantages. What is the difference really?

As the year draws to a close, hotels are gearing up for the most glamorous night of the year – New Year's Eve. Capturing the attention of potential guests and ensuring a packed house for your New Year's Eve events requires strategic planning and effective promotion.

'Tis the season to be jolly, but for hotels, it's also the season of bustling activity, increased reservations, and demanding guests. As Christmas approaches, hotels need to be well-equipped to handle the holiday rush and ensure a seamless experience for their guests. Here are some must-have tools that hotels should embrace to survive the festive season and create a memorable stay for their guests.

While the challenges of hotel technology adoption are undeniable, the benefits are equally compelling. A successful journey through the digital landscape requires realistic recognition of concerns, strategic planning to overcome them, and careful consideration of drawbacks against benefits. The key lies in a thoughtful and phased approach, where technology becomes an enabler rather than an impediment to the core principles of hospitality.

Traditionally, hotels relied on internal feedback mechanisms and word-of-mouth recommendations. However, the advent of online travel platforms and review sites has transformed the landscape. Today, guests have the power to share their experiences globally, influencing the choices of potential visitors. This shift has elevated guest reviews to a crucial metric for measuring the success of a hotel's guest experience strategy.

Task and project management functionalities within staff apps are a game-changer for hotels looking to optimize their services. From coordinating housekeeping schedules to managing maintenance tasks, staff apps provide a centralized platform for efficient task allocation and tracking. The result? Quicker room turnover, faster service response times, and an overall boost in operational efficiency, all of which contribute to an enhanced guest experience.

This increasing influx of tourists has brought the issue of labor shortage to the forefront, and it’s high time for hoteliers to take action. To help your business soar high in challenging times like these, you have to be innovative and put conscious efforts into attracting new talents, retaining your current employees, and staying ahead of the curve. Let’s dive into some key strategies that can help you override the woes of staff shortage.

The fast-growing hospitality sector is one of the key driving forces behind the tourism industry. While it does have a positive impact on the global economy, its impact on the environment is quite problematic. Currently, the hospitality industry is responsible for 1% of global emissions and it needs to reduce 90% emissions by 2030.

Gone are the days of relying solely on in-person interactions to collect guest data. Cutting-edge technology has revolutionized the hospitality industry today, arming hoteliers with the tools to cater to the unique preferences and desires of each guest. Intuitive and personalized hotel tech apps make it possible to understand a guest even before they step foot into the lobby. How? The secret lies in the repository of guest data.

19% of hoteliers say that the key near-term goal of implementing technology is to drive revenue. The right hotel tech stack has immense potential that yet remains unexplored by many hotel owners—they not only improve operational efficiency of your business but also enhance guest experience and contribute to the overall profitability. In this article, we’ll dive into how you can boost hotel revenue using a hotel tech app.

Upselling can turn a good guest experience into a great one and leave a lasting impression. It's a valuable but often overlooked part of a hotel's revenue and customer experience plan. Upsells can create a billion dollar opportunity for a property, as well as increase customer retention and build loyalty.

In the competitive world of hotels, conversational marketing is no longer an option — it's a must for any smart sales strategy. It engages potential customers, communicates in a way that is comfortable for them and provides unparalleled service. The numbers don't lie: studies indicate that companies using this approach see an impressive 19% surge in conversion rates. Keep reading.

Picture this: a guest steps into a hotel lobby and instead of the reception desk, they find a cluster of tablets. With a simple QR scan, travelers are effortlessly directed to a digital guest app for check-in. Behind the scenes, a virtual concierge responds to queries, while smart technology adjusts the room temperature to their preferred setting. This is the era of digital hospitality, where hotels strive to create memorable experiences through the seamless integration of technology and personalized service.

Imagine you're a guest staying at a hotel for a conference. You arrive at the hotel late at night, tired and hungry. You don't want to wait in line for check-in, but you're not sure how to access your room key. You open the hotel's native guest app on your phone, enter your details, and receive your room key instantly. You're also able to order room service through the app, without the need for a phone call. You receive a notification when your food is ready, and you can pick it up from the front desk without any delay. You're able to enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free stay, thanks to the power of guest apps.

According to the “Hotel Technology News”, 73% of travelers prefer using mobile devices to manage their stay. With MyCONECT, guests can take full control of their experience. From hassle-free mobile check-ins to tailored communication and effortless mobile check-outs, we'll take you on an exceptional MyCONECT guest journey.

Majority of travelers want to use technology to streamline their hotel experience, while majority of hoteliers say it improves their efficiency. With MyCONECT — a powerful add-on software designed to work seamlessly with Oracle’s OPERA or any other PMS — hotels deliver guests a wider range of quality services to meet their evolving needs.

Traditionally, rooms are assigned to guests upon their arrival, which may not meet their needs and preferences. However, majority of hotel customers preferring self-service technologies, the hospitality industry must embrace this new trend. Self-check-in kiosks, mobile room keys and digital concierge — help hotels keep up with the changing needs of customers.

With the advent of cloud computing, hoteliers now have access to a powerful new tool that can streamline operations, improve the guest’s experience and boost the bottom line. Although a variety of choices exists when it comes to the Property Management System (PMS), cloud technology has much more to offer. It is not only better for performance but for security as well.

High-tech digital keys bring better hotel security, a more convenient check-in/out process and greater hygiene safety. You no longer have to worry about losing your hotel key, as you can simply enter the room using your phone. As this functionality increases guest comfort and satisfaction, more and more hotels are venturing into the keyless game. However, many travelers and hoteliers wonder how digital keys work. In this article, we'll clear up this mystery.

The hotel industry saw multiple ups and downs in the past three years. During those turbulent times, one thing became clear—hotels have to be flexible in their approach so that if the need arises, they can mold themselves to stay on top of changing customer behavior. With 2023 knocking at the door, it’s time to have a look at the 5 hospitality trends ruling the world, and how hoteliers can use them to have a great business year ahead.

Love or hate them, online travel agents (OTAs) like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, or Agoda are important hotel distribution channels. 41% of travelers book their accommodation through online travel agents (OTAs), and 29% prefer direct bookings. While it may not be a viable solution to cut off all bookings through OTAs, you can step up your game to improve your hotel’s digital presence and push customers to book directly through your hotel app.

This is the third article of our three-part Inflation Story series. An economic slowdown is looming large and the hotel industry is on its toes to prevent another disruption. In crucial times like these, technology can be a savior. Here are a few ways hotel tech can reverse the impact of inflation on your hotel business and develop a vision for the future.

Almost all industries are facing a major labor issue, and the hospitality sector seems to be the most affected by it. After the pandemic, sourcing and retaining staff in hotels has not been easy. The low supply of labor has increased labor costs, taking a toll on the operational cost of hotels. Inflation is steadily going up all over the world and hotel businesses cannot afford a second disruption in three years. Here are some key challenges hoteliers must address today.

Global inflation reached an all-time high in 2022, and there is no possible measure yet to bring it under control. If prices keep on increasing at a rapid rate, it will affect industries that had just begun recovering after the pandemic. The rate of inflation in hotels, inns, and the hospitality sector has shot up in the European Union. Even though experts are divided, the general consensus says hoteliers have to be well-equipped to manage the present demand and prepare for a potential slow growth period in the near future.

The latest trends in the hospitality industry are in favor of tech-enabled experiences. It makes sense for hotels to invest in technology and optimize their services. New businesses have a lot to learn from trendsetters who have been effectively using hotel tech to improve the guest experience. Here are the top 5 hotels and hotel conglomerates using technology the right way.

Technology and automation already played a crucial role in the hospitality sector, even before the world came to a standstill. But now it has become more mainstream than ever, to be in tune with the changing needs of the time. With the right hotel tech, you can streamline the way you operate business, reduce the workload of the hotel staff, establish clear communication channels, and offer guests a contactless and seamless experience.

As the hotel industry follows the footsteps of OTT and SaaS apps to tap into the subscription model. Hotels are to diversify their services, and create backup revenue channels. Hotels do not wish to run on one-off purchases, and with subscriptions, it’s possible to build long-term relationships with guests, that allows upselling, increase brand loyalists, and reinforces market positioning.

Hoteliers are perpetually stuck in various stages of customer acquisition. One-off purchase is a unique feature of B2C industries and hotels are the biggest victim of it. However, successful hotels are retaining customers and improving revenue while building resiliency with one simple trick: offering contactless in-room services to hotel guests. Guest apps are underrated tools for revenue management and when done right, they can elevate in-room services.

You can implement facial recognition software for seamless check-in and check-out, improve room security and track user behavior within the property. While contactless services such as digital keys and smartphone apps are gradually becoming standard, facial recognition may take a couple of more years to go mainstream.

OTAs and hotels have a love-hate relationship. While hotels cannot deny the value they get from OTAs, they also can't ignore OTAs eating into their share of the revenue. OTAs became mainstream in the early 2000s when hotel tech was in its infancy. Major OTAs such as Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, and more recently Airbnb take the responsibility of marketing and advertising properties so that hotels can focus on what they do best: provide hospitality services.

The hospitality industry stands at the forefront of the digital revolution, with hotels striving to enhance guest experiences through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. However, this pursuit is not without its fair share of challenges.

If you want bleisure travelers to stay in your hotel, you must offer services that are important to them. Build multiple workstations, invest in better office supplies, furniture, gadgets, and acoustics, and most importantly, upgrade your WiFi network to offer super-fast internet for conferencing and file sharing, for the hotel infrastructure should be conducive to work and recreation.

Upsells work best when they're highly targeted to relevant guests. Avoid silos. track past data in CRM for preferences of each group, and understand what drives them. The types to target separately are families, digital nomads, couples, millennials/Gen Z, and bleisure travelers.

Summer 2022 is feeling a lot like the classic summer we used to know and it's been a while since we felt like that. Even as the economic downturn looms large, a large number of people are gearing up for summer vacations. People are planning a summer trip, no matter what!

Today's outlook for the hospitality sector is vastly different from what it was pre-2020. The last two years have taught us that only hotels that offer distinguished experiences can survive downturns and global disruptions. One way you can stay a cut above the competition is by building your employer brand.

Most hotel chains rely on websites to attract visitors and convert prospects. But in an oversaturated market, hospitality brands need to rethink their customer engagement strategy to stand out. Mobile apps offer that competitive edge and they're gradually becoming the standard in B2C industries.

The threat of the virus has receded, but the apprehensions remain, and so do the financial setbacks. The times are tough, but as always, the hotel industry is already making its return to the old normal. With changing times, the ways of running a business change, requiring business owners to come up with unique marketing plans amidst the new normal.

Let's zoom in on the first member of MyCONECT's digital hospitality platform - the Guest App. The Guest App is a powerful autonomous tool that allows guests to plan their entire stay at a hotel using just their smartphones. Meticulously crafted to pack every imaginable feature, this app integrates seamlessly with the hotel PMS to offer an extensive and real-time stay experience to the guests.

With a dedicated hotel mobile app, your guests can check in and check out effortlessly, avoiding drawn-out manual processes. By minimizing the number of touchpoints in your customer’s journey, you’ll increase customer satisfaction, and customer retention, and prioritize their safety.

Fuel prices have been devastating to households around the world over the last year or so, and while we’ve all certainly felt the pinch, it’s not just homeowners affected. A recent study found that travelers are planning fewer trips out because of these rising gas prices, which are predicted to hit the hospitality industry hard.

When we talk about integrating hotels with modern technology, we are primarily aiming to revamp the guest experience. There is a reason why hotels are investing in guest-oriented technologies. To truly digitally transform a hotel, equipping its employees with the right digital tools is also important.

More hotels are using mobile apps to provide a more seamless experience for guests than ever before. This comes off the back of the pandemic, where hotels now want more self-check services to reduce the number of face-to-face interactions between staff and customers.

The hotel industry is a highly competitive and happening space. With each passing day, technological innovations and consumer trends rise and fall at a pace that only a few other industries can match. We have curated below five of the most effective tips hotels can implement to grow their business and amplify their brand value significantly.

The digitization of hospitality and tourism has led to a surge in SaaS platforms competing to transform the industry. Innovative start-ups like MyConect are increasing in popularity. These platforms provide an integrated cloud-based service that can swiftly optimize and enhance guest services, eliminate repetitive tasks, and allow owners to focus on the client experience. As these platforms compete for market share and to differentiate their services, innovations are being rapidly deployed.

Optimal revenue management essentially revolves around the data a hotel collects and examines. It bases itself on the analytics a hotel computes after sifting the large amounts of data it possesses.

The hotel industry is now changing and adopting a tech known as mobile keys to solve such issues. From offering seamless room locking and unlocking service to the guests to saving costs spent on procuring physical keys and keycards, mobile keys are playing a significant role in modernizing hotels.

At first glance, hospitality and technology might appear to be at two opposite ends of the spectrum. However, the hospitality sector, particularly the hotel industry, has historically been one of the foremost adopters of technology in all its operations.

Automation is being touted as the future, and that is a fact. Every industry is looking for ways to put their repetitive tasks on auto-pilot so they can focus on the more creative and resource-intensive ones. And there is no reason why hotels should not introduce automation in their operations. Automating tasks such as check-ins/check-outs, room bookings, billing, etc., allows a hotel to streamline several of its operations at once.

MyCONECT Hotel Digital Platform is a game changer to help guests travel and stay better. Easier check-in/out processes, contactless communication, mobile keys, remote valet request and room control are few of the many features available within this revolutionary app which is certified with Oracle OWS & ifc8 licenses.

Due to an acute decrease in the influx of tourists and travelers, many hotels closed their businesses, leaving thousands of staff members unemployed. And even after receiving help from the state, many of these establishments could not revive themselves.