Digital

Hospitality warned of 'significant' cyber attack threat

05-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

Staff at hotels and restaurants in the UK have been warned to be on high alert against potential cyber attacks as a sophisticated crime group turns its attention to the hospitality sector.

Airbnb to impose 90-day limit on London rentals

01-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

Airbnb is to impose a 90-day limit on London users letting out properties through the site following concern it is contributing to the city’s housing crisis.

London hotel squares up to Airbnb with rental partnership

24-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

London hotel Bermondsey Square has started a partnership with short-term rental providers in its area in a bid to challenge the rise of Airbnb. 

Marriott to trial voice-activated room assistant

22-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

Marriott has announced the two tech start-ups it will be trialling in its hotels as part of an ongoing push to innovate its hotel operations.

Expedia to expand loyalty scheme to UK website

22-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Travel website Expedia is launching its loyalty programme Expedia + in the UK next month to encourage users to book through the site and gain points in exchange for exclusive offers, discounts and upgrades.

Tech initiatives at K West Hotel & Spa improve staff productivity

17-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

The K West Hotel & Spa says staff have become more productive and have more time to spend making guests feel welcome since investing in guest-facing technology. 

Airbnb targets business travel bookings

14-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

Airbnb is stepping up its efforts to target business travellers with a new tool designed to boost corporate bookings.

The Cheese Truck overreaches crowdfunding target by £30k

08-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Grilled cheese street food operation The Cheese Truck is to open The Cheese Bar in Camden after overreaching its £100k crowdfunding target by 30k. 

Premier Inn plans hub expansion

25-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Premier Inn is planning to double its number of high-tech hub hotels following strong half-year sales at the chain.

The battle of the bookings: How hotels can work with, not against OTAs

12-Oct-2016 By Hannah Thompson & Emma Eversham

As the industry gears up for two major hotel events in the next few weeks, experts have agreed that online travel agents (OTAs) may not be the ‘necessary evil’ they are made out to be, and may actually offer many features designed to help, rather than...

Marriott seeks tech start-ups for hotel deal

10-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

Marriott is looking to boost its digital operations by offering two tech start-ups the chance to test their ideas in its European hotels.

Sethi family to launch first Deliveroo-only restaurant

07-Oct-2016 By Sophie Witts

The siblings behind Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Gymkhana are set to reinvent the takeaway by launching the first Deliveroo-only brand.

Travelodge appoints technology officer to drive digital growth

27-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Travelodge has appointed its first chief technology officer as part of a plan to innovate its digital operations.

TECHNOLOGY

Age of the restauroids: Will robots become a reality in restaurants?

12-Sep-2016 By Joe Lutrario

They’ve been predicted for decades, but are we about to see robots finally become a reality in the dining room and kitchen?

Amazon launches one­-hour restaurant delivery service in the UK

07-Sep-2016 By Mark Wingett

Amazon Restaurants has officially announced it will allow its Prime members in certain postcodes across London, to order food from selected restaurants for free delivery within an hour.