JUNE 29 - JULY 19, 2005
TOP O' THE NEWS
- Most travelers still more comfortable booking through travel agents
- Leisure travelers settle on destination and trip duration well ahead of cost
Despite a recent survey scoring travel agents slightly lower for customer service than hotel chains’ own-brand Web sites, nearly 70% of travelers in the U.S. are still more comfortable booking through travel agents, according to a recent study commissioned by Galileo. Advantages quoted included agents’ ability to ask questions to qualify a traveler’s needs (53%) and their willingness to customize itineraries to fit those needs (52%), especially those that are harder to book online.
Additional services reported as “essential” for a traditional agent included:
- The ability to book all travel plans (air, lodging and car) at one time - 76%
- Access to real-time flight and hotel information - 73%
- Advanced knowledge about various destinations - 70%
Given that packaging, real-time data and destination information are all available on the Internet, these results suggest that the real advantage lies in the personal validation and flexibility of working with an expert in a face-to-face meeting.
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Location, location, location: the old rule still applies, especially for leisure travel. A new study from the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) confirms that leisure travelers still make decisions on a destination and trip duration well before they consider the cost. In fact, more than half (55%) of leisure trips don’t stick to a firm budget, and 31% don’t have a budget at all.
Factors affecting the leisure destination area were equally split between somewhere the traveler feels safe (46%), available activities (45%) and nearby friends/family (43%). As for the hotel itself, location (60%) and comfort (57%) are still the top priorities, followed by the cost of the room (47%) and privacy (42%), with available amenities trailing at 32%.
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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- Pegasus exits the PMS business
- Smugglers’ Notch selects ResortSuite to consolidate PMS, ski, retail, and activity operations
- England’s Centurion Hotel orders Visual One’s integrated suite
- Florida-based Cay Clubs International orders Visual One’s suite for six sites
- Winthrop Rockefeller Center selects Northwind’s Maestro Enterprise Suite
- SoftBrands appointed Medallion distributors in Dubai, Kuwait, Egypt and Ghana
- The Palace Indian Gaming Center & Hotel picks Agilysys’ LMS, ResNet and ShowGate
Pegasus Solutions is exiting the PMS business. It has discontinued development and support for its PegasusCentral Property Management System, and is in discussions with potential buyers for its PMS business. By mutual agreement with InterContinental Hotels, which had adopted it as one of its two standard PMSs, PegasusCentral will removed from the Holiday Inn Express properties currently using it, and there will be no new installations. (www.pegs.com)
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Smugglers’ Notch Resort has selected Enablez Inc.’s ResortSuite to manage the full-service, family destination property and consolidate its front desk, ski, retail, and activity operations. (www.smuggs.com, www.resortsuite.com)
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The Centurion Hotel in England’s rural Mendip Hills has ordered Visual One’s integrated suite. Modules to be installed include Front Office, Sales & Catering, POS, Dining Reservations, Web Booking, Spa and Club Membership Systems. The hotel complex includes 44 rooms, 6 function rooms, a fitness centre, golf course, indoor swimming pool and bowling green, all available to hotel guests as well as to the 1300 private members.
Florida-based Cay Clubs International also ordered Visual One’s suite, for its six sites. Modules to be implemented include Property Management, CRS, Centralized Guest History, POS, Club Management, Guest Activity Scheduling, Dining Reservations, Back Office Accounting, Condominium Accounting, Preventive Maintenance, and an electronic registration card for all of the resorts.
(www.centurionhotel.co.uk, ww.v1s.com)
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The Winthrop Rockefeller Center in Arkansas has selected Northwind’s Maestro Enterprise Suite, including property management, conference sales, and Internet booking, for implementation in July 2005. Located in the grounds of Rockefeller Ranch, home of the former Arkansas governor, the conference center includes 45 guest rooms. It plans to more than double its function space and add 30 guest rooms in the coming year. (www.maestropms.com)
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SoftBrands has appointed Principles Company (Dubai and Kuwait), Egypto-Soft (Egypt) and Southwyck Ventures (Ghana) as distributors for its Medallion property management system. (www.softbrands.com)
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The Palace Indian Gaming Center & Hotel in Lemoore, CA, has selected Agilysys’ Lodging Management System (LMS), including the ResNet Internet booking and ShowGate ticketing modules. The property is owned and managed by the Tachi Yokut tribe of Santa Rosa Rancheria; a 255-room hotel is scheduled to open March 2006. (www.thepalace.net, www.agilysys.com)
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RESERVATIONS
- AltiusPAR releases modular, Oracle-based and remotely-hosted Central Inventory System
- Priceline.com acquires Bookings B.V. Internet reservation service
- World Travel signs five-year renewal with Galileo for GDS services
- HEDNA contracts with Solutionz Group to write White Papers on distribution challenges
AltiusPAR released its multi-faceted, Oracle-based and remotely-hosted Central Inventory System for the hospitality industry, including a new revenue-managed Merchant Model Interface. The core Central Inventory System provides the foundation for several additional modules, which include:
- AltiusPAR CRO central reservations system
- AltiusPAR RM revenue management controls, based on the PROS engine
- AltiusPAR GDB global distribution broker for third party connectivity
- AltiusPAR Comm for travel agent commission payment
- AltiusPAR Groups sales and catering
- AltiusPAR Loyalty for in-house loyalty programs
- AltiusPAR Brand guest satisfaction systems & guest history
- AltiusPAR Intelligence for business intelligence
The Merchant Model Interface automatically synchronizes availability, rates, and inventory data between AltiusPAR’s CRS and online merchants, incorporates revenue-managed dynamic booking limits and uses AltiusPAR’s PMS interface for automatic reservation delivery to hotel properties. (www.altiuspar.com)
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Priceline.com has acquired the Amsterdam-based Bookings B.V. Internet reservation service. It will retain the current management team, and will maintain Bookings as part of its European portfolio. In total, Bookings B.V. and UK-based Active Hotels, which Priceline acquired last year, have negotiated exclusive rates with almost 18,000 properties. (www.priceline.com)
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World Travel Inc., the 6th largest, full-service corporate and leisure travel agency in the U.S., signed a five-year renewal of its agreement with Galileo International for GDS services. (www.galileo.com)
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The Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) has contracted Solutionz Group International to research and write several White Papers on significant distribution challenges for hotels in 2005. Topics for the White Papers will include multi-channel distribution, meta travel search, content management, dynamic packaging, GDS deregulation and the impact on distribution channels, brand protection and search engine optimization. (www.hedna.org)
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MARKETING / MANAGEMENT
- Sol Meliá contracts with VFM Interactive for video distribution
- Best Western makes VFM its exclusive North American rich media provider
- HotelsbyCity.com signs 1-year agreement for access to VRX Studios's visual content library
- Open Hospitality adds PMS data mining and extraction to its e-marketing services
Sol Meliá has contracted with VFM Interactive to supply and distribute videos for select properties in its 350+ portfolio, to be made available through VFM's network of over 5,000 travel sites and search engines.
Best Western International has selected VFM as its exclusive North American provider of rich media production and distribution services, including 360s, videos and Photoflicks, for more than 2,400 properties. Best Western will also use VFM’s Vscape online media management and distribution system to help the properties store, manage and selectively distribute all still images and rich media across all electronic channels.
(www.bestwestern.com, www.vfmii.com)
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Online distributor HotelsbyCity.com has entered into a one year licensing agreement with VRX Studios for access to VRX's visual content library for its 55,000+ listed properties. The library includes destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and North America, and worldwide hotels that include Hyatt, Kimpton, Caesar's, Sandals and Starwood properties.
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Open Hospitality has added PMS data mining and extraction to its e-marketing services, allowing it to send customized email confirmations, thank-you letters and pre-stay promotional announcements to the entire client database, not just those guests booking through the hotel’s website. (www.openhospitality.com)
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REVENUE MANAGEMENT
- Hyatt International migrating properties to IDeaS’ v5i ASP-based version
Hyatt International is migrating its properties using IDeaS’ existing property-based system to its v5i ASP-based Revenue Optimization version, starting with the Grand Hyatt Singapore. Hyatt International plans to add IDeaS to its new hotel openings this year and in 2006 in conjunction with the planned conversions.
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SALES & CATERING, MEETING PLANNING
- Omni deploying Delphi MPE, MeetingBroker and Business Intelligence at all 33 hotels
- Newmarket upgrades centrally-hosted Delphi.Net system to Version 2.3
- ACCOR North America implementing Passkey at 17 properties in US and Canada
- Gaylord Hotels implementing Passkey at all three resorts
Omni Hotels is deploying Newmarket International’s Delphi Multi-Property Edition Sales & Catering, MeetingBroker, and Delphi Business Intelligence at all of its 33 owned and managed hotels in the U.S. and Canada, and Delphi Global to its seven national sales offices. Full implementation is expected to be in place by year-end.
Newmarket has upgraded its centrally-hosted Delphi.Net system to Version 2.3. Enhancements include more sophisticated multi-property account sharing and more powerful reporting that accommodates multi-property users and adds several new reports, including Hierarchy Report, Catering Revenue, Group Lost Business, Negotiated Rate Lost Business, and Unassigned Events.
(www.omnihotels.com, www.newmarketinc.com)
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ACCOR North America is implementing Passkey’s online group reservations management at 17 of its properties in the USA and Canada, including the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Sofitel Los Angeles, Sofitel Montreal, Sofitel Miami, Novotel Toronto and Novotel New York.
Gaylord Hotels is implementing Passkey at its three resorts, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., and Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
(www.accor-na.com, www.gaylordhotels.com, www.passkey.com)
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F&B/POINT OF SALE
- HSI to show Profit Series wireless handheld devices and tablet PCs at 2005 Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo
MICROS’ Hospitality Solutions International (HSI) division will show wireless handheld devices and tablet PCs for its Profit Series POS software at the 2005 Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo. The tablet PC uses the same full-sized Profit Series point-of-sale screens as a wired terminal and may be used as a desktop or workstation when coupled with a docking cradle and keyboard. When operating out of range of the base station, data is stored in the units Compact Flash memory and synchronized to the server when back within range. (www.hsi-solutions.com)
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SPA/GOLF/LEISURE
- Hyatt Huntington Beach Resort to incorporate Nirvana's BookNow! in its web portal
- Peppermill Hotel Casino and Rainbow Hotel Casino order Agilysys’ ARTS to book guest flights on Casino Express Airlines
The 517-room Hyatt Huntington Beach Resort's Pacific Waters Spa will incorporate Nirvana Technology's BookNow! online booking tool in its web portal. BookNow! will interface with the hotel's existing SpaSoft and eGiftWorks gift certificate programs, and will manage online sales for the spa's retail shop. (http://huntingtonbeach.hyatt.com, www.findingnirvana.com)
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Peppermill Hotel Casino and Rainbow Hotel Casino, both in Wendover, NV, have selected Agilysys’ LMS Activities Reservations Tracking System (ARTS) to book guest flights on Casino Express Airlines, a charter service that brings guests to Wendover to gamble, dine and vacation. The Peppermill properties already use the LMS property management system. (www.peppermillwendover.com, www.rainbowwendover.com, www.agilysys.com)
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GUEST SERVICES
- Xanterra implements high-speed wireless Internet access at seven Ohio State Park resorts
- Insystcom adds wireless access to ResortLynx guestroom HSIA services
- Wayport and Vocera offer voice communications over Wi-Fi
- OTRUM has passed the 100,000-installed guestroom mark, marks 20 years in interactive TV
- MTech introduces PMWorks Plus hosted, Internet-based application
- Embassy Suites installing Uniguest/PrinterOn business centers in all 175 hotels
- Firetide launches HotPort 3101 wireless mesh network for hospitality industry
- On Command using Eagle’s MediaPro IP for high definition, video-on-demand service
- Sunburst Hospitality contracts with TelNet for additional high speed Internet services
- Hyatt Hotels to offer XM Satellite Radio service in over 50,000 USA guestrooms
- Omni installing GoConcierge at 14 properties
- WestCoast designates GBCblue exclusive PC center provider for over 70 hotels
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare pilot testing GBCblue PCs in 40 guestrooms
- GBCblue to offer Wiotel’s Myotel online hotel applications on its PCs
- GBCblue partnering with Datanamics to offer hotels complete HSIA network + PCs
Xanterra Parks & Resorts has implemented high-speed wireless Internet access at seven of the Ohio State Park resorts it manages: Burr Oak, Hueston Woods, Maumee Bay, Mohican, Punderson Manor, Salt Fork and Shawnee State Park resorts. (www.xanterra.com)
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Insystcom has added wireless access to the ResortLynx guestroom HSIA services it offers to the resort and cruise ship markets. The ResortLynx access points are part of the same network that now delivers movies, interactive entertainment, games and web browsing. (www.insystcom.com)
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Wayport and Vocera Communications have partnered to distribute and support the Vocera voice communications system on Wayport’s Wi-Fi networks at hotels and other locations. The Vocera system allows in-building mobile workers to communicate instantly with one another via the wearable Vocera Communications Badge which operates on Wayport’s Wi-Fi networks. (www.vocera.com, www.wayport.net)
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OTRUM has passed the 100,000-installed guestroom mark, with an implementation at the InterContinental Düsseldorf in Germany. These are rooms that have been installed by OTRUM since April 2001 when it brought its sales and distribution in house; an additional 300,000+ rooms have OTRUM technology installed through earlier third party distribution agreements. This announcement coincidences with OTRUM’s celebration of 20 years in the interactive TV industry. (www.otrum.com)
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MTech has introduced its new PMWorks Plus service, a hosted, Internet-based application delivering real-time tracking of work requests and guest incidents by allowing any hotel staff member with a phone or web browser to report work order requests, guest-affecting issues and guest-reported incidents. Enhancements over PMWorks include additional department distribution of requests (other than engineering), real time guest incident tracking and reporting, and better productivity and performance tracking. (www.m-tech.com)
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Embassy Suites Hotels is installing Embassy Business Centers equipped by Uniguest and PrinterOn in all 175 hotels throughout the next 12 months. The business center includes two workstations with high-speed Internet access, security software, copying and laser printing capabilities, as well as other office tools. (www.uniguest.com)
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Firetide has launched its HotPort 3101 wireless mesh network for the hospitality industry. Mesh networks eliminate backbone wiring since the access points connect wirelessly to each other automatically, forming a self-configuring, self-healing network. The HotPort 3101 nodes can operate at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, and include VLAN support and multiple encryption choices. (www.firetide.com, www.datanamicsinc.com)
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On Command Video Corp is using Eagle Broadband’s MediaPro IP set-top box for its new high definition, video-on-demand service. The MediaPro units enable on-demand applications that include high-speed Internet access, streaming video, superior digital audio/music, video-on-demand, 3D gaming, video conferencing and more. (www.eaglebroadband.com, www.oncommand.com)
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Sunburst Hospitality Corp has contracted with TelNet for additional high speed Internet services for its hotel portfolio, which includes franchises for Choice Hotels International, InterContinental Hotel Group, and Best Western International. (www.snbhotels.com, www.telnetsolutions.com)
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Hyatt Hotels Corp. will offer XM Satellite Radio service to more than 50,000 guestrooms in the United States, under a multi-year cross-marketing agreement that includes special XM hardware offers for members of Hyatt's Gold Passport frequent guest program. (www.hyatt.com)
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Omni Hotels is installing GoConcierge’s automated Web-based guest services system at 14 of its properties. The implementations will include interfaces to the Open Table online restaurant reservation network and Super Shuttle for airport transport reservations. (www.omnihotels.com, www.goconcierge.net)
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WestCoast has designated GBCblue as its exclusive, preferred provider of in-room and lobby personal computing centers for its more than 70 Red Lion and WestCoast hotels. GBCblue lobby PCs are currently installed at the Red Lion Hotel Salt Lake (Utah) Downtown, the Red Lion Hotel at the Park in Spokane, the Red Lion Hotel Pasco, Washington and the Red Lion Hotel Olympia, which also has 10 in-room PCs available to guests.
The 1,100-room Hyatt Regency O’Hare is installing GBCblue personal computers in 40 of the guestrooms, in a pilot test to expand its existing usage of the units in the public areas.
GBCblue has agreed to offer Wiotel’s Myotel online hotel applications on its PCs. These include enhanced guest services such as document printing, scheduling hotel housekeeping services and online ordering for in-room dining.
GBCblue is partnering with Datanamics to offer hotels a complete package including a HSIA network infrastructure together with lobby and in-room PCs.
(www.westcoasthotels.com, www.hyatt.com, www.wiotel.com, www.datanamicsinc.com, www.gbcblue.com)
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INVENTORY/PURCHASING
- AccuBar releases interface with Aspect’s back office reporting/analysis suite
AccuBar has released an interface with Aspect’s back office suite, allowing Aspect users to import AccuBar inventory, receiving and other data for use with Aspect's reporting and analysis suite. Aspect users will also be able to export item lists to AccuBar. (www.accubar.com, www.aspect-software.net)
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ENGINEERING
- Mintek announces 250th installation of WinTrack PM
Mintek Mobile Data Solutions announced the 250th installation of its WinTrack PM mobile preventive maintenance (PM) system, at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. This milestone comes less than one year after its 100th installation. (www.marriott.com, www.mintek.com)
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