How Safe Are Your Hotels?
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How Safe Are Your Hotels?

Are your employees trained to recognize and avoid threats while traveling? What perils will your business travelers face and what protective measures do you currently have in place? Top executives from iJet, International SOS, and New York Life Insurance Company addressed these questions and shared ways in which companies can safeguard their business travelers in…

The Future of Marriott’s Brands
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The Future of Marriott’s Brands

A couple of months ago, Marriott International became the largest hotel chain in the world after closing on a $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. With 30 brands now under one umbrella, there has been much speculation over Marriott’s plan to manage them all. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Marriott began implementing a strategy…

The Future of Hotel Technology
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The Future of Hotel Technology

With the recent introduction of voice-activated hotel rooms, robot butlers and biometric access control systems, it’s no secret hotel chains are investing heavily in technology to improve the guest experience. The question remains, which hotel technologies do business travelers currently use and which do they wish to see offered in the future? Earlier this year,…

Kimpton Makes Its International Debut
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Kimpton Makes Its International Debut

Earlier this week, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced the grand opening of its first property outside of the U.S., a beachfront resort on Grand Cayman. Though we’d like to say we’re surprised by this development, Kimpton’s SVP of Sales Christine Lawson shared the news with us at GBTA Convention a couple months ago (skip to…

Week in Review
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Week in Review

The Verge reports Airbnb is transforming from a short-term rental company into a full-scale travel agency. The company launched a new initiative called Airbnb Trips that enables travelers to experience new cities from a local’s perspective. According to The New York Times, the platform allows travelers to partake in activities ranging from stargazing outings to historical tours….

Technology’s Role in Event Planning
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Technology’s Role in Event Planning

A new GBTA Foundation study revealed the most valued and most desired features when it comes to site sourcing technology. Conducted in partnership with Lanyon, the study is being released today during a Lanyon Live breakout session. Meeting and event planning starts long before anyone sets foot onsite, of course, and many factors can greatly…

Week in Review
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Week in Review

Samsung Galaxy Note 7s, airplanes and spontaneous combustion. Oh my! The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an emergency order banning all Samsung Galaxy Note7s from air transportation, carry-on baggage and checked baggage on flights to, from or within the United States effective Saturday, October 15. BBC reports carriers in Australia, Asia and Europe followed…