Travel Innovation, Design & Technology 2022

Travel Innovation,
Design &
Technology 2022

4
INNOVATIVE
HOSPITALITY
TRENDS

Workcations
Since the global shakeup caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic, more and
more people are choosing to work
from home – or, even better, from
the comfort of a hotel or holiday
rental. It makes sense for hospitality
businesses to cater to these longterm
guests as they can often make
up for a shortfall in visitor numbers
in the low season. If all you need is
a stable Wi-Fi connection to get on
with your remote job, why not do it
from somewhere more exotic?
QR codes
Say goodbye to tatty paper menus and
hello to a frictionless digital ordering
system. Restaurant customers can
access menus and make contactfree
transactions via their mobile
devices. There’s no need to download
tricky apps; the customer simply
scans the code at their table and the
order goes straight to the kitchen or
bar. Then, from the restaurant side,
customer data is easily captured and
things like past orders are saved.
Streamlined processes like QR code
ordering are easy to set up and can
be beneficial in all sections of a
hospitality business.
AI and robotics
It might sound like something from
the far future, but machine learning
is already shaping the hospitality
industry. Boost your bookings with
automated chat bots that can
take reservations and interact with
customers 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. You can also expect
to see more robots in hospitality
roles, ranging from housekeeping to
security, in the very near future.
5

Gearco
North America | Hospitality Management Software
A
rapidly changing hospitality market brings some of the best ideas to the fore, and the expansion
of interest in extended stays means that Gearco are the perfect partner for hotels and resorts
around the world.
Purposely built to improve everything from making reservations to taking payments, and all
linked together using cloud technology, makes Gearco one of the best companies to help
offset risk and drive revenue. Not a small thing in a squeezed and competitive market.
With more than a quarter of a century of experience, Gearco are one of the most
experienced hospitality management companies in the industry. And as the
extended stay market grows to meet the demands of guests that want a
home-away-from-home experience when they travel, you need to meet
and exceed expectations.
Harnessing Gearco’s powerful cloud property management system is an
easy way for hospitality businesses to streamline the challenges that
face accommodating long-term guests. The jewel in the Gearco
crown is the True Extended Stay® system. It makes capturing
customer data simple, and cuts through complicated red tape
with inbuilt allowances for things like local tax computations
and automated surcharges.
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Because everything is cloud based, you won’t need to invest in tons of
expensive new hardware to facilitate payments either. Designed as an
integrated solution to make taking payments easy, the software works
with everything from traditional chip and pin to Apple Pay and Google
Pay contactless methods.
What sets Gearco apart from other companies in the extended-stay
field is their commitment to excellent customer service. Their dedicated
Management and Development Teams are available to help tailor your
experience and ensure you get the most out of the system. And if
anything goes wrong, the Support Team are ready to help you wherever
you are, 24 hours a day.
300 Satellite Blvd, Suwanee, GA 30024,
United States
Tel +1-866-984-3277
GET IN TOUCH
7

8
THE BEST
BOOKING
SYSTEMS

Booking your next meal, spa break, or hotel stay online gives you plenty of choice. However, it can
also be a bewildering journey when there are hundreds of sites that all promise great experiences
and the most competitive prices. You might even feel like there are almost too many booking
platforms out there, so finding and using the best one can be hard work.
Going Out to Eat
Do you want to snag a table in the hottest restaurant
in town, or do you simply hate calling up a busy
restaurant only to find that they’ve taken down your
details incorrectly? Hands down, the best way to
make breakfast, lunch, or dinner reservations is
via OpenTable.
Their powerful search function lets you choose
by location, restaurant, or even cuisine. Plus, if
the restaurant isn’t on the site then it’s probably
not worth visiting anyway! Choose from thousands
of great eateries and enjoy one of the easiest booking
processes you can imagine.
Pick a date and time and a list of restaurants will
appear with available booking slots to choose from.
And what’s even better for diners is the points system.
You get points for each booking made, which can be
used on later meals or even online shopping.
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Staying in a Hotel
When it comes to accommodation, there’s only one platform that
works as hard for the hotel as it does for the customer. Hoteliers.
com isn’t a travel agency but a comparison site that helps both
customers and hotels avoid high commission fees by connecting
guests directly to hotel websites.
They have made it their goal to connect savvy world
travellers with some of the finest hotels for more than 17
years. By combining a powerful hotel search function
with a booking system that hotels can implant into their
own website, it really is the best of both worlds.
Hoteliers.com have created an ingenious system that
allows customers to avoid steep booking fees and see
exactly what a hotel charges for a room. And, because
it’s a comparison site, they book directly with the hotel.
Doing it this way means that both visitors and venues
save money on commission and get the best rates
possible.
Connecting a customer to a great room is made easy.
The powerful site shows everything you’d expect, including
discounts and room availability. However, there’s also the
opportunity to add extras such as city tours or Champagne
delivered to the room.
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Booking a Spa Treatment
Can’t decide where to get your next massage, haircut,
or manicure? If you want to find out who does the right
sort of treatment for you and how much it costs, you
might want to try treatwell.co.uk. Their huge list of
salons, spas, and nail bars make this the best and most
powerful booking system for your next treatment.
What makes this the premier spa booking system is
how easy it is to see exactly what treatments are
available at each venue. The comprehensive search
system means you can filter by exact treatments
and even search on the map for the right location
for your next pamper session.
11

Hoteliers.com
Europe | Hotel Booking Platform
Paying the middleman can make going on holiday more expensive than
it needs to be. Once you know that up to 25% of the price you see on
popular hotel booking websites is reserved as commission, making the
switch to Hoteliers.com is a no-brainer.
Planning your next dream getaway couldn’t be easier too. Although
Hoteliers.com specializes in the Benelux and Dach region, their
booking platform offers a wide range of exciting hotels available
that span the globe, from tropical Curaçao to cosmopolitan
Amsterdam. There’s always an accommodation that’s just
right for every type of stay and budget. Booking directly
with a hotel or resort isn’t just good for your own
pocket − it helps the business out too. Doing away
with massive commission fees means that hard
working hotels get to keep more of their money
to reinvest in customer experience.
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Something we really like about Hoteliers.com is how
transparent the whole process is for both hotels as
well as guests. Rather than funneling sales through
their own website, users go straight from the booking
platform to the hotel’s website where the discounted
rate is visible immediately. Gaining more customers
without losing a hefty slice of each room rate sounds
too good to be true, but it’s what Hoteliers.com have
been doing for more than 15 years now. Not limited to
just connecting properties to paying guests, their offer
includes completely designed hotel websites, a stateof-the-art
booking engine, and variety of hospitality
cloud services for owners and front desk workers.
With its hotel- software and marketing solutions,
Hoteliers.com make the day-to-day running of a busy
hotel that much easier – both online as offline. Their
all-in-one package covers everything from booking,
to planning, to invoicing, and their industry-leading
support is available in a range of languages.
GET IN TOUCH
13

GuestTalk
United Kingdom | Innovative Hotel Technology
Designed especially for hotels and hostels GuestTalk is the ideal tool to
connect hoteliers with their guests. Gone are the days of waiting at
reception or being on hold, with GuestTalk guests can take the reception
with them wherever they go.
A simple, user-friendly application, GuestTalk allows guests to
contact reception, for any purpose, with the click of a button
through their smartphones, tablet or laptops. While at the
same time allowing the hotel to reply, keep track of room
requests, offer extra’s, run surveys, manage staff tasks
and invite past guests to visit again. Technology if
used right can improve any industry and this is
certainly the case with GuestTalk.
Features of GuestTalk include a marketing
booster to create and send promotional
emails using an easy-to-use template
builder. The ability to create a prearrival
health survey to screen
guests thereby ensuring safety of
everyone involved.
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You can contact your staff via instant team messaging
to pass along guest requests and keep staff in the
loop.
Guests are updated throughout their stay via
automated SMS notifications with important
information and offers, helping you with upselling!
Through GuestTalk’s integration with smart-lock
management systems, guests can easily access their
rooms with automated door codes that send straight
to their mobile.
GuestTalk integrates with a range of property
management systems, so your guests booking
information fluidly transfers to GuestTalk.
Spend a week with GuestTalk, and you’ll wonder how
you ever managed without it.
GET IN TOUCH
info@guesttalk.co.uk
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16
PLANES,
TRAINS, AND
AUTOMOBILES

Anyone going off on holiday will be familiar with hopping on a plane, catching a train, or hiring a car.
But what’s the future for these modes of transport?
Planes
If you’re old enough, you might remember Concorde
streaking through the sky on its way across the Atlantic in
less than four hours. The days of ultra-fast holiday flights
felt like a thing of the past, but aerospace superstars Boom
Supersonic are building the world’s fastest passenger jet
right now. Flying at Mach 1.7, the Overture can carry up to
80 lucky passengers – and they plan to be carbon neutral,
too.
Trains
It’s easy to see why trains make up a large part of a
sustainable future for travel. They carry huge numbers
of passengers in complete comfort and put out fewer
emissions than flying or driving. In the future, a raft of
technological improvements will make trains faster, cleaner,
and able to reach more destinations than ever before.
Quite possibly the most exciting development is in
magnetic levitation or maglev technology, which is making
the traditional limitations of “steel on steel” trains a thing
of the past. Expect to see trains running at up to 363 mph.
Automobiles
It feels like the future of driving is almost here already.
With zero emission cars numbering a quarter of a million
on the UK’s roads right now, the old-fashioned internal
combustion engine is on its way
out. As driverless technology
improves and the road
infrastructure evolves to
meet future demand,
cars will become
safer, more efficient,
and even more
comfortable.
17

fms/Austrosoft
Europe | Transport and Mobility Solution
Specially engineered to make your next cab ride an easy one, fms/
Austrosoft have made it their mission to utilise cutting edge technology
in the taxi and rental car booking industry.
Investing heavily in AI for automatic speech recognition and
other smartphone-integrated software, it’s improving the lives
of dispatchers and customers across Europe. Connecting
thousands of customers with their drivers every day, if
you’ve booked a taxi recently, you’ve probably already
worked with fms/Austrosoft.
One of the most experienced companies in the
digital booking space, fms/Austrosoft have been
innovating since they burst on to the scene in
the mid-1980’s. Committed to improving the
journey on both client and customer side,
they have specific application in place for
dispatchers, drivers, and passengers.
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– For drivers, fms/Austrosoft are just about the only people you’ll need to
stay working. Connecting to a dispatcher and any potential customers via
smartphone, it takes the hard work out of finding the next fare. Combining
traffic data with real-time navigation software and accepting all major
cashless payment methods, the DriverApp is like having a whole backroom
team doing your administration for you.
– And for passengers, the taxi booking process has never been easier or on
as many platforms before. Easily book a ride on a smartphone, tablet, or
computer, watch your driver on a real-time map screen, and take all the
guesswork out of catching a ride. Outside of a dedicated app, passengers
can book with automated chat bots on social media platforms or speak
with a call centre or AI voice.
Robert Abel,
CEO fms/Austrosoft
– For dispatchers, you can guarantee lightningfast
and responsive fleet management
whether you’re controlling five to 10,000
vehicles at a time. fms/Austrosoft’s fmsServer
technology ensures that you can keep your
fleet in the right place at the right time, and
dedicated round-the-clock support means
you’re never left by the side of the road.
Hietzinger Hauptstrasse 33, A-1130
Vienna, Austria and Messendorfgrund
30, A-8042 Graz, Austria
www.fms.at
GET IN TOUCH
19

Pax2Pay
Europe | Digital Payment Platform
Bristol-based travel fintech firm Pax2Pay are the leading light when it
comes to modernising B2B digital payment solutions for the travel
industry. Offering businesses access to their lightning fast and simple
systems, you can set up and process completely secure payments in no
time at all.
Built specifically to reduce friction in payments processes,
one of Pax2pay’s most effective weapons is the virtual card.
Taking advantage of new virtual payment technology,
business owners can integrate safe and secure virtual
card payments directly into their existing API.
The benefits of this type of payment system are far
reaching. Single use virtual card numbers make every
purchase traceable, and they’re virtually impossible
to fake as well. Crucially for travel businesses,
they’re a much more cost-effective solution
as you can do away with expensive card
surcharges too. And the system supports
11 different global currencies, from GBP
to HKD.
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One of the biggest challenges facing any business in
the travel sphere is speed and security. As prices and
availability fluctuates, the last thing you want is to leave
your customers behind or vulnerable to fraud. Virtual
card technology can be integrated with automated
payment transactions for a seamless purchase
process that keeps you competitive and gathers useful
passenger data at the same time.
Trusted by some of the biggest players in the market,
including but not limited to On The Beach and Travel
Republic, Pax2pay is integrated into a whole family
of travel industry solutions. PaxFaB and the awardwinning
PaxShop are two familiar names for anyone
involved with booking flights, accommodation, and
upselling ancillary services to customers.
If you’ve already got a well established online booking
process, or you’re looking to build a better one from
the ground up, we think this is one of the easiest ways
to improve your security and customer experience
throughout the entire payment journey.
GET IN TOUCH
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22
YOUR HOTEL
APP

As the famous Apple slogan went, “there’s an app for that”. Staying in touch with friends or buying
the latest gadget is only a few taps away. But what about a hotel? It might not seem immediately
obvious, but having an app might just be the best way to increase revenue and improve the
customer journey.
There’s no hiding from the fact that building an app is
a serious undertaking. It’s not an overnight solution but
rather a long-term investment in a hospitality business.
It gives guests the opportunity to book in seconds and
unlocks a wealth of valuable data for the hotel as well.
Guest experience is enhanced with a dedicated hotel
app, as it’s a place that they can go for information 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. They can treat it like their very
own concierge in their pocket, with all hotel information
on hand or even a chat function to talk with a hotel staff.
Useful things like room keys, restaurant menus, and even
checking in can all be done via a fully-integrated hotel
app. Take it a step further and allow guests to book stays
directly, buy room service, take advantage of special
offers, and earn rewards for loyalty.
Taking the time to develop an app is worth it. Guests
can access hotel services and local information while
enjoying an optimised booking experience, all through
their mobile devices. Plus, hotels can promote their brand
and increase revenue at the same time.
23

TripX.Tech
United Kingdom | Travel App
TripX Tech enables B2C travel and hospitality providers; including tour
operators, travel agents, destination’s and resorts to provide a good
client experience, promote brand loyalty and generate new revenue
streams from post booking services.
The TripX Tech platform provides flexible and customisable native
mobile and web solutions to meet the digital expectations of
today’s travel consumer.
Powered by a robust, industry specific Content
Management System, each solution is tailored to
meet specific requirements. Key to a successful
implementation is the ability for TripX Tech to
integrate with existing reservations and data
management software.
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Core functionality includes but is not limited to:
- Trip/itinerary planning
- The ability to search and book accommodation, day
trips, activities, tours, restaurants
- In destination mapping and directions
- Offline access to booking information and electronic
documents
- Reviews
- Seamless payment management
- Consumer facing functionality backed up by an easy
to use management dashboard
Contact the team at Mayfair Technology Partners for a
demo to understand how TripX Tech can benefit your
business.
GET IN TOUCH
Tel +44 7722 9999 65
25

TouchingCode GMBH
Germany | App and Web Development Specialists
TouchingCode is a global technology company specialising in the design
and development of applications for mobile devices. The experienced
team made up of Clemens Grossman, Simone Belfi and Detleft Rupp are
experts in carrying out complex tasks where multifaceted technical
expertise and integration within existing IT processes are crucial.
Customers can expect fast, efficient, dedicated and reliable
app development combined with the flexibility, comfort and
workflow support found in web CMS systems.
The latest development from TouchingCode comes in
the form of an exciting content management system
named Apmato. Apmato is an authoring tool and
content management system for mobile apps.
A so called “App for Apps” designed with the
hospitality industry in mind. Museums,
tourism boards, leisure centres, hotels and
tour companies are more than welcome
to take advantage of Apmato to help
stay in touch with clients and
deliver up to date information.
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Apmato is perfect for those looking to create an
app without the hassle of coding or worrying about
complicated updates. It is affordable and allows you to
personalise to your needs, whether that is by yourself
or with the help of a developer. You can create many
different apps while also working on the go anywhere
in the world. Push messages are a great bonus that
allow you to directly reach out to your audience.
It’s a simple 4 step process, first the concept, second
the build, third the test and finally you publish. Through
out the whole process you’re more than welcome
to test run the app as many times as you like and
continually make changes.
Why not check out Apmato for yourself - www.
apmato.com
Or the Devlopers -
www.touchingcode.com
GET IN TOUCH
Fidicinstraße 28, 10965
Berlin, Germany
Tel +49 30 55578555
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MM+ Interni e Architetture
Italy | Architecture Firm
“Less is More…”
Founded in 2013 MM+ Interni e Architetture has been a mainstay in the
beautiful city of Treviso. With several projects spread across Italy it is no
surprise that this is one of the country’s premier architecture firms.
To better understand MM+ Interni e Architetture one must delve into
the background and experience of the visionary founder, Marco
Marchesi. Born in Bergamo, 1972, Marco’s family moved to
Treviso in 1975, a city renowned for its stunning architecture
and one which Marco still calls home today. Marco’s love
of architecture saw him attned the Iuav University
of Venice, one of Italy’s first and most famous
architecture schools. It is this learning experience
that laid the groundwork for much of Marco’s
career. Immediately after graduating Marco
began freelancing with his work attracting
plaudits from all corners of the community
including Italy’s association of architects.
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The next stage of Marco’s career saw the establishment
of Fedro achitetti associati in 2001, a boutique
architecture firm specialising in several projects
including building restoration, designing schools,
industrial design and interior design. During this time
Marco also worked as a teacher from 2003 to 2008 at
his alma Mater, the Iuav University of Venice.
In 2013 Marco branched out on his own his experience
culminated in a philosophy of elegance, contemporary
architecture that is pragmatic, functional and most
of all sustainable. Principles rooted in sustainability,
minimalism, natural light and order are visible in much
of the MM+ Interni e Architetture portfolio.
Popular works include the beautiful RoVo’s house
and Villa Meg. The restoration of Villa Agnolin is a
great example of a modern interior upgrade without
compromising on a building historical exterior.
GET IN TOUCH
Via Marzolo 1, 31100
Treviso, Italy
Tel +39 0422 1581715
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30
HOTEL
ARCHITECTURE

Sometimes, the hotel makes the holiday. Showcasing the most exciting new architectural design,
these are some of the best and most individual hotels around the world.
Sometimes, the hotel makes the
holiday. Showcasing the most
exciting new architectural
design, these are some
of the best and most
individual hotels around
the world.
One of the most stunning
examples of modern hotel
design is Casa Silencio.
Found in the desert just
outside Oaxaca, Mexico, it’s
a bold vision from architect
Alejandro D’Acosta. Transforming a
traditional mezcal distillery into a mind-blowing boutique
hotel with the use of industrial materials, it’s a temple to
Mexico’s national drink.
Looking east at some of the most exciting new hotel
architecture must include the spectacular Eclat Beijing,
China. Designed by the Parkview Group, the hotel has a
unique triangular form that rises sharply out of the ground.
The hotel features 100 luxury guest rooms and suites
and is home to China’s largest collection of Salvador Dali
artwork, as well as hosting a variety of restaurants and
other amenities.
Some of the best hotel architecture can blend in with
its natural surroundings while also providing a unique,
luxurious experience for guests. Some of the most
effective hotel designs can be found in locations such as
the Maldives, where the natural beauty of the island can
be enhanced by the addition of a luxurious hotel.
Luxury hotels around the world use some of the same
techniques to wow their guests. On top of impeccable
customer service and opulent décor are statement
architect-designed features that elevate an ordinary
hotel into something special.
Some of the most popular features in luxury hotels
are infinity pools that seemingly flow into the horizon,
dramatic atriums with grand staircases, and lush gardens
with serene water features.
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Touch Architect
Thailand | Boutique Architecture
Founded in 2014 by prominent architects, Setthakarn Yangderm and Parpis
Leelaniramol, Touch Architect is a boutique design studio based in
Bangkok. Since 2014 it has grown to become one of the most well-known
studios in Thailand with continued improvements and a comprehensive
approach that fully encompasses various elements such as design,
construction, innovation, and management.
The name “touch” comes from the founder’s values
and philosophy which is to respect client needs and
preferences, to make a client’s imagination a reality with
a touch of their own magic. The approach to design
is multi-layered focusing on basic human needs
combined with culture, environmental concern,
and context experience alongside a dedication
to sustainability. The goal is to create
functional and practical homes, hospitality
spaces and interiors.
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The full scope of design services includes handling
a project at all stages starting with client needs
and preferences, project research, concept, design
drawings, regulatory permission, construction,
inspections, and overall technical supervision.
A popular recent project is the work on the lovely
double S café in Bangkok, finished to a high degree
despite building limits on replacing and modifying
the walls, floors, glass doors and windows. Another
is the modern and minimalist Option Coffee Bar
in Udonthani. In the design development phase
currently is the improvements on the Novotel Hua Hin,
a fantastic property in need of a fresh and innovative
perspective.
GET IN TOUCH
170/48 Kanchanaphisek Rd., Bangkuvieng,
Bangkruay, Nonthaburi, Thailand, 11130
Tel +662 077 9108
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34
WONDERFUL
LOBBIES

First impressions are important. That’s a well-known fact, so the top hotels around the world make
sure you arrive in style. Soaring atriums, stunning design, and exquisite workmanship are just
three ways that make for the most wonderful hotel lobbies.
Aman, Tokyo
Appearing in lists of the greatest hotels in the world, it’s
no surprise that this modernist lobby is nothing short
of spectacular. The cavernous atrium is found on the
33rd floor of the Otemachi Tower, with enormous picture
windows that boast one of the best views in the whole city.
Slate grey walls are neatly contrasted with light-coloured
Japanese woodwork, while a huge oriental screen shapes
the sunlight that floods in.
Claridge’s, London
An icon of the hotel scene, the exclusive Mayfair haunt
Claridge’s caters only to the great and the good of world
travellers. With a classic, opulent lobby that sets the scene
for the rest of the building, you enter through revolving
doors and walk on wide black and white Art Deco tiles.
Guests stroll in underneath a grand chandelier while the
grand piano plays a soft, welcoming tune. It doesn’t get
more luxurious than this.
Raffles, Singapore
One of the world’s great hotels and home of the Singapore
Sling cocktail – The Grand Lobby, as it’s known – is worthy
of its huge reputation. Soaring white Victorian pillars and
acres of marble make this the ideal place to arrive for the
trip of a lifetime. Guests relax on comfortable furniture
while soft sunlight bathes the whole space from the
skylight above.
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