Hotel Tech Insider HotelTechReport

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we had the pleasure of speaking with Therese Cedercreutz, the Chief Commercial Officer at Scandic Hotels. Tess oversees revenue, marketing, distribution, guest experience, CRM, loyalty programs, design, and more for Scandic, which operates 270 hotels throughout Europe and employs about 18,000 team members.
Therese shared insights into Scandic's massive project of implementing a new cloud-based PMS at each of their hotels. She highlighted the importance of preparing the team for the new software through extensive training and support resources. Therese emphasized the significance of ensuring that the people who are supposed to use the new tools are on board, as this is key to successful implementation.
She also touched on the importance of balancing high-tech software with the core principles of hospitality, emphasizing the need to provide a unique guest experience while leveraging technology for efficiency and convenience.
Therese shared her views on technology as an enabler rather than a driver of transformation, highlighting the importance of understanding how to use technology effectively to make a difference in the hotel industry.
This episode provides insights into how Scandic Hotels is leveraging technology to enhance guest experiences, improve operational efficiency, and drive loyalty. Tess's perspective on the role of technology in the hospitality industry offers valuable lessons for hoteliers looking to navigate the digital landscape successfully.

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we dive into the world of hotel technology with Victoria Fisher, the Chief of Intelligence at Penta Hotels. Victoria shares her extensive experience in revenue management and discusses the digital transformation journey at Penta Hotels.
Victoria's background in economics and revenue management has shaped her career, starting from her studies to her various roles in revenue leadership positions across Europe. She emphasizes the importance of automation and forward-looking technology in the hospitality industry.
At Penta Hotels, Victoria leads the business intelligence team, focusing on data-driven decision-making and efficiency. The company operates 21 hotels across seven countries in Europe, catering to business and corporate travelers with a mix of city and leisure destinations.
The discussion delves into Penta Hotels' tech stack, highlighting the integration of various systems like PMS, RMS, and financial tools with their BI platform. Victoria emphasizes the importance of simplifying processes and maximizing the use of existing tools to drive success in the dynamic hotel industry.
Victoria shares insights on training employees on the new BI tool, emphasizing the need for curiosity and continuous learning in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. She challenges the industry's fear of automation, advocating for the benefits it brings in streamlining operations and freeing up time for more strategic tasks.
This episode provides valuable insights into the role of technology in modern hotel operations, showcasing how Penta Hotels is leveraging innovative tools to enhance efficiency and drive success in the competitive hospitality market.

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we have the pleasure of speaking with Adrian Schmidt, a digital innovation leader at HR Group, a prominent Berlin-based hotel company with a diverse portfolio of 150 branded and independent hotels. Adrian shares insights from his extensive experience in telecom, media, and hospitality, focusing on enhancing guest experiences through digitization.
Adrian discusses the software buying process at HR Group, emphasizing the importance of open APIs in selecting technology partners. He highlights the critical role of property management systems in the hotel industry and shares his positive experiences with Apaleo and Opera Cloud for different types of hotels within the group.
The conversation delves into the implementation of automation tools, such as a breakfast script for optimizing food orders based on hotel occupancy. Adrian also discusses the digital check-in experience at HR Group properties, detailing the seamless process for guests from booking to check-out.
Adrian emphasizes the group's focus on automation as a key priority, using a data orchestration layer called NotMation to streamline operational tasks and boost efficiency. He stresses the importance of balancing digital innovation with maintaining the human touch in hospitality.
Adrian shares insights on the future of technology in the hotel space, including the integration of AI for tasks like review responses and chatbots. He highlights the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the hospitality industry.
The episode concludes with a discussion on data collection and decision-making, with Adrian advocating for a focused approach to tracking and utilizing data effectively. He encourages hoteliers to prioritize practical experimentation and implementation over excessive data collection.
Adrian Schmidt's expertise and forward-thinking approach to technology in the hotel industry provide valuable insights for hoteliers looking to leverage digital tools and strategies for success in today's competitive market. Tune in to Hotel Tech Insider for more episodes featuring industry leaders driving innovation in the hospitality sector.

Want to learn how MK Hotels uses cutting-edge technology like open APIs and mobile key solutions to streamline operations? Tune in to the newest episode of Hotel Tech Insider with Arno Sonderfeld.

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Gorjan Lazarov, the CEO of Orea Hotels and Resorts, to dive into the topic of digital transformation within the hospitality sector. We shared our journey through both the hospitality and telecommunications fields, emphasizing how pivotal customer experience and innovation are to our industry. We discussed the technological advancements we've embraced at Orea, such as online check-in, tracking employee satisfaction, and even employing robots like Pepper for cleaning and service tasks. We stressed the crucial role that people play in our field and the necessity for digital literacy to meet evolving customer needs. Our conversation also explored the tech infrastructure at Orea, including our use of Hotel Time for managing properties and the emerging role of AI in optimizing revenue management. Additionally, we touched on our company's commitment to enhancing the guest experience, fostering employee engagement, and devising strategies for future expansion. The episode highlighted the transformative impact of technology on improving operational efficiency, increasing guest satisfaction, and steering the hotel industry towards a promising future.

In this episode of Hotel Tech Insider, we had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Schwartz, the Chief Technology Officer at Sage Hospitality. Matt shared his extensive background in tech, starting from his economics major in college to his experience in various startup companies and retail giants like Staples and PetSmart. His journey into the hospitality industry began in 2010 when he worked for a ski resort company, eventually leading him to Sage Hospitality in 2015.
As the first CTO in Sage's 40-year history, Matt transformed the IT department from a cost center to a profit center. He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to enhance business intelligence and analytics, CRM, cybersecurity, associate productivity, and the guest experience. Matt highlighted the significance of communication skills and continuous learning for success in the tech side of the hospitality space.
One of the key areas of focus for Sage is democratizing data with Microsoft Power BI, enhancing cybersecurity with partners like CrowdStrike and Arctic Wolf, and deploying innovative technologies like robots and AI for guest experiences. Matt also discussed the potential of upcoming technologies like appless mobile key systems and Apple's Vision Pro for virtual reality experiences.
Moreover, Matt shared insights into Sage's operations, including managing 65 hotels and 40 restaurants across the US, focusing on growth and acquisitions, and prioritizing guest experiences through innovative tech solutions like kiosks for self-service check-ins and biometric authentication.
Overall, Matt's expertise and forward-thinking approach to technology in the hospitality industry provide valuable insights for hoteliers looking to leverage digital tools and strategies to drive growth and innovation in their properties. Stay tuned for more episodes of Hotel Tech Insider to learn from industry experts and stay updated on the latest trends in hotel technology.