Hotel News Exclusive interview with the deputy of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization on hotels pricing

Hotelchamp introduces AI Autopilot, aims to focus on personalized experience to take on Booking.com and Expedia

Hotelchamp, an Amsterdam-based startup has introduced a new technology called Autopilot. This new technology is set to revolutionize the way hotels think about their online guest experience. It is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) engine, which is trained to recognize and personalize the experience of visitors to a hotel’s website. Kristian Valk, the founder, and CEO of the Dutch startup Hotelchamp states that hotel websites provide a static experience for the visitors. This is bizarre given the different guests who visit these sites and their varied preferences. This is what the startup intends to change with the introduction of Autopilot. Without further ado, let’s see how Hotelchap aims to take over Booking.com and Expedia with its new AI feature. Hotelchamp intends to help hoteliers by providing a better experience to the guests. It is aimed at scaling up quickly and growing at a hyper-fast pace. Enhancing the experience of the guests comes with personalization. In fact, personalization is something that guests expect from hotels and it is a challenge to deliver that on a website in a meaningful way, claimed Valk. This is where AI comes to the picture. Artificial Intelligence can deliver a truly adaptive website experience, which is customized to every single visitor. It brings the right information or interaction to the right person at the right time, he added. The newly launched Autopilot is more than a chatbot. It customizes the static hotel websites by deploying a range of marketing techniques and tools. As it is seamlessly integrated, it offers a more lively, responsive and personalized experience. Furthermore, it guides guests throughout the direct booking process based on their requirements. Hotelchamp’s data science team has used their years of data and millions of A/B test impressions on developing Autopilot. They have used all these data to know what convinces guests to book directly. The new technology applies this knowledge against factors such as real-time data from the hotel’s website, best practices from thousands of hotels and GDPR-compliant visitor insights as well as behavior. Hoteliers just have to activate Autopilot with a single switch and the rest is assured.

The end of the story of two rates for hotel prices

According to the deputy director of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran, the rates of hotels will be determined according to the common currency of the country (rials), but they can be based on the rate announced by the central bank and, of course in line with the satisfaction of tourists, other currencies can be received. Deputy director of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran said: "The rates of hotels are not a new issue and since 1994, the rating of hoptel is determined by the agreement of the Association of travel agencies as consumer of hotel services, the hoteliers association as the representative of residential centers and the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran as the representative of the government. Teimori said: "Based on the final decision and as in previous years, this instruction is accepted and signed by all three domains, and will be the basis for the work and the ratings." Therefore, the discussion of the two rates for hospitality services in a way that a group of tourists is required to pay by dollar and the other group is not required, will not be applicable.

Hoteliers' dissatisfaction with the operation of OTAs

After numerous problems with hotel rates caused by some hotel reservation systems (OTAs) and the criticism of hoteliers about this, Hotel News Agency decided to conduct surveys on hoteliers' opinions on the operation of online reservation systems and how they interact. At the end of the survey, which lasted for a week, 59% of the audience of the hotel's news media channels and websites, selected "No" to show their dissatisfactions, and 41 percent, preferred "yes", expressing their satisfaction with OTAs operation and how they interact with hotels. According to the results, it seems that despite all the measures taken, the vast majority of hoteliers across the country are still not satisfied with the operations of OTAs.

AccorHotels signs two new Vietnam properties for Mövenpick brand

AccorHotels has continued to expand its portfolio in Vietnam with the signing of two new stunning sea-facing properties. Slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2021, the opening of Mövenpick Resort Van Phong and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Halong Bay will add 525 rooms to the growing portfolio in the region. “The addition of Mövenpick Resort Van Phong and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Halong Bay will bring our total pipeline of Mövenpick properties to nine in Vietnam. “AccorHotels currently has 28 properties ranging from economy to luxury brands across Vietnam. “We look forward to bringing the brand’s signature Swiss hospitality to a variety of alluring destinations across the region,” said Patrick Basset, chief operating officer for AccorHotels in upper north-east and south-east Asia and the Maldives. Vietnam was named among the destinations with the biggest year-over-year increase in international tourist arrivals at 29.1 per cent, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s report.  This year, the number of foreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the first six months of 2018 surged 27.2 per cent year-on-year to 7.9 million. On July 1st this year, the Vietnamese government granted visa exemptions for tourists travelling from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy for the next three years until June 2021. AccorHotels is the biggest international hotel operator in Vietnam with 6,101 rooms across a wide spectrum of brands. The group will be opening another 13 hotels across the country in the next two years, bringing the total portfolio to 41. Nestled on a pristine stretch of coast just 130 kilometres from Cam Ranh International Airport, Mövenpick Resort Van Phong features 200 rooms and suites plus 100 villas. Overlooking the turquoise sea, the brand beachfront resort features two restaurants, an outdoor pool, spa and fitness centre. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay in Northern Vietnam, the 325 room Mövenpick Resort & Spa Halong Bay offers convenient access to the area’s main tourist attractions and activities on Halong Road and Halong Bay Cruise Port. The resort features two restaurants, a rooftop pool and lounge that overlooks the spectacular views across the iconic, islet-studded bay, a spa and a fitness centre. MICE facility includes a 300-seater ballroom and a selection of meeting rooms

Waldorf Astoria signs four-year partnership with Aston Martin

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has signed a four-year global partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda, bringing together two enduring icons of global luxury. From exclusive guest access to Aston Martin’s most recent cars, to bespoke drive and stay packages in some of the most sought-after destinations in the Waldorf Astoria portfolio, the collaboration combines the exceptional standards of sophistication and service that are at the heart of both brands. “Aston Martin Lagonda was a natural choice for a partnership of this magnitude,” said Dino Michael, global head, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton. “At Waldorf Astoria, experience and service are at the core of everything we do, and this partnership offers a rare opportunity for our guests to live unforgettable at our properties around the globe.” Beginning in 2019, Waldorf Astoria Driving Experience weekends will present hotel guests with a variety of Aston Martin’s latest models to sample along carefully tailored routes. These bookable sessions will be led by Aston Martin’s team of professional drivers, giving Waldorf Astoria guests an expertly curated opportunity to explore the unmatched performance, refined craftsmanship and exhilarating driving sensation delivery by Aston Martin. Simon Sproule, president, Aston Martin Partnerships, said: “This partnership opens both brands up to new and exciting opportunities. “Aston Martin Lagonda and Waldorf Astoria share a passion for creating beautiful experiences for our customers, rooted in the joy of travel and discovery. “Together, we can create memorable journeys that combine the best in global hospitality and driving pleasure.”

To invite OTAs to a live debate

The head of the Association of Iran Travel Agencies invited representatives of OTAs to clarify the news released to the debate in the presence of journalists and media representatives. Referring to the letter sent to the head of one of the OTAs, Hermatollah Rafiee said: OTAs are pretending that they are nothing to do with it but, with a widespread news release, they are actually working on that. The head of the Association of Iran Travel Agencies of Iran, announced his readiness to debate with the representatives of these websites in the presence of journalists and media representatives. He said that they are also preparing for the debate with the presence of reporters to determine who is legal and who is not. He added: "The ultimate goal of these people is to exploit politically, and I will tell you definitely that the explanation which has been published on websites since yesterday is false." Hermatollah Rafiee continued, "If it is not false, three months ago some of these websites had not been closed and out of reach because of over pricing! The owners of these websites say that their business is legal, but they are making problem for five thousands travel agencies as well as the customers.

Marriott sued hours after announcing data breach

Hours after announcing a data breach on Friday, two Oregon men sued international hotel chain Marriott for exposing their data. Their lawsuit was followed hours later by another one filed in the state of Maryland.  Both lawsuits are seeking class-action status. While plaintiffs in the Maryland lawsuit didn't specify the amount of damages they were seeking from Marriott, the plaintiffs in the Oregon lawsuit want $12.5 billion in costs and losses. This should equate to $25 for each of the 500 million users who had their personal data stolen from Marriott's servers in the breach announced last week, on Friday. The two Oregon plaintiffs told a local newspaper, that they view the $25 as a minimum value for the time users will spend canceling credit cards due to the Marriott hack. The Maryland lawsuit was filed by Baltimore law firm Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, according to a press release.

Centara Hotels signs for three new properties in Laos

Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed management agreements for three new properties with Asia Investment, Development & Construction Sole. The latter is a well-established enterprise in Laos.  In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, Centara plans to open an upper upscale Centara Grand Luang Prabang and a midscale Centra by Centara property, both near the town centre. The third property will be under Centara’s new lifestyle brand, Cosi, catering to the growing segment of connected, freedom-loving travellers. It will represent a unique offering in Vientiane, the Laotian capital. The management agreement comes as Laos launches ambitious new plans to promote tourism. In recent years, the government of the Lao PDR has come to regard tourism as a priority sector for driving socio-economic development. It hopes to attract five million visitors in 2018 and increasing numbers in the years ahead with a Visit Laos campaign under the slogan Simply Beautiful. The country’s picturesque mountains, atmospheric towns, and humble friendliness are being discovered by Thai, Chinese and Western visitors. And it has one factor particularly in its favour: superb value. According to a new report from the Swiss-based World Economic Forum, Laos ranks 14th among 136 countries in price competitiveness. “This partnership with AIDC is a great opportunity to expand our footprint into a distinctive country,” said Centara chief executive Thirayuth Chirathivat. “Laos is on the list of more and more travellers to this region, and we want to serve them with the distinct and varied accommodation options to match the travel experience they are seeking.” Luang Prabang is the well-preserved, old spiritual city at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers. Although well-served by direct flights to its airport and modern amenities, it lives up to its World Heritage status with beautiful temples and traditional riverside life. Bicycles outnumber cars. Delicious baguettes, croissants, cafés and French restaurants hint at the French colonial history in both Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Pheutsapha Phoummasak, president of AIDC Laos said: “We are excited to partner with Centara to bring their trusted brands to these great cities and further promote the tourism potential of Laos. “Luang Prabang and Vientiane are very popular destinations for both Thai and international travellers thanks to their perfect blend of history, beautiful scenery and charming character.”

New Trump hotel in Bali draws attention to island’s impending water crisis, environmental impact of tourism industry

On August 14, 2015, back when the American presidency was just a twinkle in his beady eye, then candidate Donald Trump put his name to an agreement of a different order to that he has become accustomed to signing in the White House – the development of Trump International Hotel and Tower Bali, in collaboration with Indonesian investor Hary Tanoesoedibjo’s MNC Group. Like many projects bearing the Trump name, the resort, billed to become the largest on the island and the Trump Hotel Collection’s first property in Asia, has met with resistance. Are Chinese tourists ‘cheapening’ Bali’s image? The “six-star” resort and 18-hole golf course will occupy a cliff-top site previously home to the Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali, which boasts sweeping views across the Indian Ocean and one of Bali’s most important temples, Tanah Lot. The original plot’s 103 hectares did not suffice, so MNC approached local landowners with the intention of expanding the development. A documentary produced by the Australian Broadcasting Company, which aired in July 2017, claimed that most were reluctant to sell their land; some emphatically refused to do so. Still, that seemed of little import, MNC insisting in a statement, “Our land acquisition process has not encountered any problems or issues beyond the regular negotiations when dealing with land owners in Bali.” Judging by the group’s website, which describes a 108-hectare development (an increase of just five hectares), it would appear that those “regular negotiations” proved far from fruitful. However, that wasn’t the only hurdle. There are also concerns that the resort will overshadow nearby Tanah Lot, both literally and figuratively. Balinese custom dictates that no building should exceed the height of the tallest coconut tree for fear of angering the gods, and while there is no evidence to suggest that Trump International Hotel and Tower Bali will surpass such a height, its name and association with a US president known for ostentation rather than restraint suggest otherwise. And then there is the environmental impact of a major building project on an island that already struggles to balance tourism with sustainability. In a November 2 article, German news outlet Deutsche Welle argued that Bali’s rice terraces and subak irrigation system, which dates back to the 9th century, were under threat because of the demands of the tourism industry. It cited a 2012 study published in the Annals of Tourism Research, which found that more than half of the island’s groundwater supply was used by tourism, leading to water inequality and social and environmental problems that would affect Bali’s tourism and economy.

Marriott security breach exposed data of up to 500M guests

Hackers stole information on as many as 500 million guests of the Marriott hotel empire over four years, obtaining credit card and passport numbers and other personal data, the company said Friday as it acknowledged one of the largest security breaches in history. The full scope of the failure was not immediately clear. Marriott was trying to determine if the records included duplicates, such as a single person staying multiple times. The affected hotel brands were operated by Starwood before it was acquired by Marriott in 2016. They include W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, Element, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien and Four Points. Starwood-branded timeshare properties were also affected. None of the Marriott-branded chains were threatened. The crisis quickly emerged as one of the biggest data breaches on record. "On a scale of 1 to 10 and up, this is one of those No. 10 size breaches. There have only been a few of them of this scale and scope in the last decade," said Chris Wysopal, chief technology officer of Veracode, a security company. By comparison, last year's Equifax hack affected more than 145 million people. A Target breach in 2013 affected more than 41 million payment card accounts and exposed contact information for more than 60 million customers. Security analysts were especially alarmed to learn that the breach began in 2014. While such failures often span months, four years is extreme, said Yonatan Striem-Amit, chief technology officer of Cybereason. It was unclear what hackers could do with the credit card information. Though it was stored in encrypted form, it was possible that hackers also obtained the two components needed to descramble the numbers, the company said. For as many as two-thirds of those affected, the exposed data could include mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and passport numbers. Also included might be dates of birth, gender, reservation dates, arrival and departure times and Starwood Preferred Guest account information. "We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves," CEO Arne Sorenson said in a statement. "We are doing everything we can to support our guests and using lessons learned to be better moving forward." The breach of personal information could put Marriott in violation of new European privacy laws, as guests included European travelers. Marriott set up a website and call center for customers who believe they are at risk. The hackers' access to the reservation system could be troubling if they turn out to be, say, nation-state spies rather than con artists simply seeking financial gain, said Jesse Varsalone, associate professor of cybersecurity at the University of Maryland University College. Reservation information could mean knowing when and where government officials are traveling, to military bases, conferences or other destinations abroad, he said. "There are just so many things you can extrapolate from people staying at hotels," Varsalone said. The richness of the data makes the hack unique, Wysopal said. "Once you know someone's arrival, departure, room preferences," that could be used to incriminate a person or for a reputation attack that "goes beyond your traditional identity theft or credit-card theft," he said. It isn't common for passport numbers to be part of a hack, but it is not unheard of. Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific Airways said in October that 9.4 million passengers' information had been breached, including passport numbers. Passport numbers are often requested by hotels outside the U.S. because U.S. driver's licenses are not accepted there as identification. The numbers could be added to full sets of data about a person that bad actors sell on the black market, leading to identity theft. And while the credit card industry can cancel accounts and issue new cards within days, it is a much more difficult process, often steeped in government bureaucracy, to get a new passport.

Kushners buying Manhattan hotel in third such deal this year

The family real estate company once run by Jared Kushner is buying a hotel on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the third hotel it has purchased this year. The Kushner Cos. said Tuesday that it is in contract to buy the 20-story Hotel on Rivington for an undisclosed amount. The company known for residential and office buildings bought two hotels in Long Branch, New Jersey, earlier this year. The company bought more than two-dozen apartment buildings in lower Manhattan when Jared Kushner was CEO. He stepped down from that position last year to become an adviser to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump. The Hotel on Rivington has a cocktail lounge and a three-story penthouse. A room with a king-size bed goes for more than $300 a night.