Hotel Tech Insider HotelTechReport

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we dive deep into the future of hotels and the technology driving them forward. Our guest, Floor Bleeker, the CTO of Accor, one of the largest hotel companies globally, shares insights into how technology is revolutionizing every aspect of Accor, from cybersecurity to sustainability and guest technology.
Accor, with over 5,600 properties and 300,000 employees worldwide, is at the forefront of digital transformation in the hospitality industry. Floor discusses the organizational structure at Accor, highlighting the premium, mid-scale, economy, luxury, and lifestyle divisions, each with its own CEO and executive team. The global shared platform, including AccorTech, plays a crucial role in delivering services across divisions.
Floor goes behind the curtain into Accor's digital transformation strategy, emphasizing the shift towards cloud-based solutions and the consolidation of back-office systems. The discussion touches on the build vs. buy approach to technology, with a focus on leveraging competitive advantages through in-house development.
The conversation also explores Accor's multi-PMS strategy, the evolution of the ventures division investing in hotel tech companies, and the importance of cybersecurity in today's digital landscape. Floor sheds light on the AI and Smart Automation Center of Excellence in Bangkok, driving innovation in AI applications for guest experiences and internal operations.
Sustainability emerges as a key focus for Accor, with initiatives to reduce carbon footprints and enhance energy efficiency through technology. The podcast concludes with Floor highlighting the inspiration drawn from airlines, particularly in streamlining guest identification processes using facial recognition technology.
This episode provides a comprehensive overview of Accor's digital transformation journey, showcasing the company's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance guest experiences, drive sustainability, and optimize operational efficiency in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.

Martin Kemmer, the Managing Director of PlaceValue Hotels, showcases a unique approach to leveraging technology in the hospitality industry in a recent conversation on Hotel Tech Insider. With a background in IT and a passion for data-driven decision-making, Martin's journey from the IT sector to the hotel industry is both intriguing and insightful. His emphasis on utilizing smart data rather than just big data sets him apart in the industry. Through his innovative use of technology, such as smart cameras and augmented reality, Martin and his team at PlaceValue Hotels have been able to optimize guest experiences and operational efficiency. Dive into this conversation to discover how Martin's tech-savvy strategies have propelled the success of PlaceValue Hotels and how they are shaping the future of the hotel industry.

We discuss the future of hotels and technology with Patrick Apostolo, the Director of Corporate Operations and Business Transformation for EMEA at Radisson Hotels. Patrick shares his journey in the hospitality industry, highlighting the importance of digital transformation in driving profitability. We explore the process of evaluating and implementing new vendors, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and collaboration. Our conversation touches on the tech stack at Radisson, focusing on the innovative strategies employed to enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency. We challenge traditional notions in the industry, advocating for bold decisions and adaptive intelligence.

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we dive into the world of hospitality technology with Claudia Infante, the Chief Data Officer at Margaritaville. Claudia shares her 27-year journey in the industry, starting from a technology company to her current role at Margaritaville.
We explore Margaritaville's tech stack, which includes a mix of startups and legacy solutions, showcasing their innovative approach to technology. Claudia sheds light on their unique loyalty program, focusing on surprise and delight rather than traditional points and tiers. This approach has already shown great results, with increased guest retention and cross-pollination between properties.
Claudia emphasizes the importance of technology complementing and optimizing the human experience, rather than replacing it. She discusses the skills crucial for hoteliers in today's dynamic environment, highlighting the importance of being nimble, flexible, and passionate about the industry.
The episode also delves into Margaritaville's technology partners, including Salesforce, Synexis, Lassie, and Medallia, showcasing how these tools enhance the guest experience and drive operational efficiency. Claudia shares insights on the decision-making process behind choosing these partners and the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration with vendors.
Looking ahead, Claudia reveals exciting plans for developing a mobile app and enhancing data visualization capabilities. She emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation and passion in the industry, encouraging listeners to pursue what they love and integrate it into their careers.
Join us on Hotel Tech Insider as we uncover the innovative strategies and technologies driving success in the hospitality industry, and stay tuned for more episodes featuring industry experts and thought leaders.

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we had the pleasure of interviewing Patrick Norton, the CMO at Britain Hotels and Resorts. Patrick shared his extensive experience in overhauling the tech stack at Britain, including transitioning to a new PMS at 20 resorts. He emphasized the importance of automation with human oversight in their approach to growth. Patrick highlighted the significance of data-driven marketing and personalization to enhance the guest experience and boost revenue.
Patrick discussed their use of CDP as a central tool in their technology ecosystem, focusing on dynamic marketing and personalized customer interactions. He also touched on the importance of gathering and utilizing customer data effectively through their CDP and business intelligence tools.
Patrick shared insights on the company's forward-thinking approach to technology, with a focus on automation and innovation. He emphasized the role of leadership in promoting a tech-forward ethos within the organization, driving the adoption of new technologies and strategies.
The episode provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of hotel technology, showcasing how innovative digital tools and strategies can drive growth and success in the hospitality industry.

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we had the pleasure of speaking with Liutauras Vaitkevicius, the Managing Director of The Zetter Group, a collection of three boutique hotels in London. Liutauras shared his extensive experience in the hotel industry, highlighting his background in operations, revenue management, and his passion for technology.
The conversation delved into the evolution of Property Management Systems (PMS) in the hospitality industry, with Liutauras emphasizing the shrinking role of traditional PMS solutions and the rise of more specialized and analytical tools like CRM for understanding customer data and behavior.
Liutauras discussed the importance of keeping in-room technology to a minimum to maintain a personalized and human touch in the guest experience.
The episode highlighted the critical business objective of cost control in the current economic climate, emphasizing the role of technology in providing real-time visibility and data-driven decision-making. Liutauras stressed the importance of flexibility, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt to new developments in the industry.
A key takeaway from the episode was Liutauras belief that legacy PMS systems are becoming obsolete, with a shift towards more modern, open API solutions that offer greater flexibility and efficiency. He emphasized the need for hoteliers to embrace innovation and stay ahead of the curve in adopting new technologies.
The episode provided valuable insights into the intersection of technology and hospitality, showcasing how forward-thinking approaches can drive success in the competitive hotel industry. Listeners were encouraged to experiment with new strategies and tools to enhance their properties and stay ahead of the competition.