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🏨 Hotel technology encompasses tools and systems designed to automate operations, manage revenue, optimize distribution, analyze data, forecast, and enhance customer experience. Key trends for 2024 include Artificial Intelligence for informed decision-making, cybersecurity to protect sensitive data, hotel apps for streamlined customer interactions, energy-saving room technologies, and smart hotel features for personalized experiences. Big Data aids in better marketing and operational decisions, while virtual reality can improve booking conversion rates. Innovations in hotel operations, chatbots, and meta-search reservations are critical. Mobile technology simplifies check-ins/check-outs and payments, while high-speed internet access is essential for guests' online activities. Hotel management software, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital payments, robots for service delivery, revenue management software, cloud technology, virtual concierges, APIs, and smart TVs are among the technologies that enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency. These advancements help hotels save costs, increase revenue, and stay competitive.

🍴 The hospitality industry has seen a strategic shift towards integrating robust dining services, crucial for the success of hotel operations. This involves creating vibrant, multipurpose spaces that draw both hotel guests and locals, enhancing brand differentiation and profitability. Key strategies include concept differentiation, recruitment, training, and tackling operational efficiency and sustainability challenges. Successful hotel restaurants have become dynamic revenue-generating spaces that foster customer loyalty and support long-term growth.

📢 Eric Abihssira, Vice-President of the UMIH, anticipates an AI revolution in the hospitality sector, leveraging innovative startup solutions. AI could enhance client experiences, e-reputation, and streamline reservations and wait times. Restaurants could manage stocks more efficiently, with AI suggesting daily menus based on weather patterns. Gilles Gateau of the Apec notes that a majority of enterprises are undecided about using AI. Source: La Tribune

📌 In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Accor is enhancing accessibility for guests with disabilities, with over half of its hotels in host cities engaged in the 'Tourisme & Handicap' label process. By early July, 80 hotels were certified and 300 nearing certification, visible on the Accès Libre platform. Accor is also expanding its Smart Room concept for seamless disability-friendly design and developing digital tools such as internal GPS for visually impaired guests and booking filters for accessible rooms.

🍳 The Trophée Marcel le Servot submission deadline is extended to September 15, 2024. The final will be held on October 14, 2024, at Ferrandi Paris, judged by 19 Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, presided by chef Georges Roux. The 7th edition challenges contestants to create a two-texture guinea fowl pie with zero-waste sauce and 8 chou-based side dishes, along with an open macaroni timbale, all under €200 for 8 servings (€25/person). Gold leaf, truffle, caviar, foie gras, and premade sauce stocks are banned. Applications are available at les-cuisiniers-de-la-republique.fr.

📖 The French DGCCRF announced that the decree on meat origin labeling is currently not enforceable, awaiting legislation updates, possibly during the revision of EU Regulation No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers. A new decree No 2024-171 published on March 4, 2024, in the Official Journal, mandates visible and legible origin indications for meats used as ingredients in meat preparations and meat-based products for all restaurant establishments, for dine-in, takeaway, or delivery. These establishments must display the country of birth, raising, and slaughter for bovine, porcine, ovine, and poultry meats. Meat preparations include fresh meats with added foodstuffs, condiments, or additives, or insufficiently processed to alter the muscle fiber structure. Meat-based products are those transformed to a degree that the fresh meat characteristics are not discernible at the cut surface.

📢 Brand ambassadors bridge the gap between a company and its customers, enhancing brand credibility and engagement. They can be satisfied clients, social media influencers, or company employees, sharing positive experiences and influencing purchasing decisions. Their benefits include increasing consumer trust, fostering community, improving online reputation, and encouraging purchases. Companies can identify potential ambassadors by analyzing customer feedback and actively engaging with them, offering exclusive advantages and incorporating their testimonials into marketing strategies.

💰 The Conseil d'État corrected a misapplication of the finance law by the tax administration on Monday, July 8, providing a transition period for affected taxpayers.

🏨 Summer 2024 in France sees fluctuating hotel industry trends: a challenging June with bookings down by 11%, followed by a 15% business volume increase towards the month's end. July reservations lag by 7% year-over-year, despite popular destinations like France, Spain, Greece, Tunisia. 65% of French travelers favor hotels with mobile apps, and 73% prioritize flexible cancellation policies. Technology and last-minute deal management, like GuestDiary offers, are key to optimizing hotel operations and customer satisfaction during these uncertain times.

🏡 In France, the Council of State overturned a paragraph in the 2024 Finance Act, correcting an error that favored Airbnb-type rentals through a tax loophole. This ruling is a win for the Association for Professional Tourism (AToP), the Grouping of Hotels and Restaurants of France (GHR), the Union of Trades and Hotel Industries (UMIH), and Senators Ian Brossat (PCF) and Max Brisson (Les Républicains). The quashed provision allowed property owners to pay less tax on short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb than on long-term leases.