Latest news with #Mews
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Business Standard
14-06-2025
- General
- Business Standard
King Charles leads minute's silence for Ahmedabad plane crash victims
Britain's King Charles III on Saturday led a minute's silence in memory of the Ahmedabad-London Air India plane crash victims after making last-minute amendments to his annual Trooping the Colour birthday parade, with black armbands commemorating the victims. Buckingham Palace said the 76-year-old monarch wanted the alterations "as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy". It saw all members of the royal family in uniform sporting black armbands as a mark of respect to the 241 passengers and crew who lost their lives in Thursday's London-bound plane crash in Ahmedabad. Following the Air India incident this week, His Majesty has requested that members of the Royal Family in uniform at Trooping the Colour should wear black armbands, as will mounted Officers in the Procession and all liveried Mews staff, Buckingham Palace said in a statement. The parade will also incorporate a minute's silence, to be observed after Their Majesties [King Charles and Queen Camilla] have exited the carriage and joined The Princess of Wales [Kate Middleton] on the dais, following the inspection of the parade," the statement said. " The silence will be signalled by the sounding of a Last Post and Reveille. This will be as a mark of respect for all the lives lost, the families in mourning and the communities affected by the tragedy, it added. In an earlier statement, King Charles had said he and Queen Camilla were desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad. "Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones, a Buckingham Palace statement noted in the wake of the tragedy. "I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time," the statement added. The amended Trooping the Colour followed the United Kingdom's flags being flown at half-mast on Friday on all royal residences and government buildings as a mark of respect. The annual royal birthday parade includes an inspection of troops and parade, culminating traditionally in a Red Arrows Royal Air Force (RAF) flypast over Buckingham Palace watched over from the balcony by senior royals. King Charles III's birthday is on November 14, but traditionally the British monarch's public celebrations are held in mid-June during warmer weather. The ceremony dates back to the 18th century and sees regimental colours being displayed in front of the monarch, with the colours of the Coldstream Guards to be presented at this year's parade. The honour of Trooping their Colour rotates through the five Regiments of Foot Guards, and this year it was the Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards that took centre-stage. The King's son and heir, Prince William the Prince of Wales, was in uniform as Colonel of the Welsh Guards.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Travelers Want More Than Loyalty Points
Traditional travel loyalty program perks, such as points and elite status, are becoming less influential in maximizing a guest's experience. Travelers increasingly prefer personalized experiences and real-time recognition when booking travel versus traditional travel rewards for loyalty, such as points and elite status, which are becoming more challenging to redeem and enhance the trip quality. A tourist watches waves crash onto a reef protecting the lagoon and a resort on Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands on June 12, 2025. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Hotel stays are a competitive business as travelers have numerous options. Instead of narrowing down where to stay by traditional metrics like cost or loyalty program membership, many guests also factor in personalization. Hospitality management provider Mews recently polled 2,000 travelers about their preferences and how hoteliers can win their loyalty. Overall, the survey reveals that 68% of respondents favor personalized experiences. The percentages are higher among two particular traveler backgrounds: 'The era of transactional loyalty is over,' says Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. 'Today's travelers want genuine recognition - the kind that comes from truly understanding who your customer is, why they have come and what they aim to achieve during their trips. More personalized experiences, less loyalty tiers.' This study also finds that 82% of responding travelers are frustrated with traditional point programs. Moreover, only 24% view hotel rewards as the most valuable based on their lifestyle, with grocery store rewards (55%), credit card points (50%), gas rewards (39%), and airline miles (25%) placing higher. The most prominent hotel rewards barriers include: Integrating AI technology enables hospitality providers to efficiently personalize experiences, making each guest feel like a VIP with every stay. Excellent customer service is also crucial, with 62% of travelers citing poor service quality and communication as the top reason for abandoning a brand. This hindrance surpasses issues with broken or faulty facilities, room problems, and a sudden halt in amenities. Jetsetters are increasingly opting for airlines based on convenience or additional perks, rather than concentrating solely on accumulating frequent flyer miles with a specific alliance. For instance, many budget-conscious travelers prefer to fly Southwest Airlines due to its competitive fare pricing and its (recently discontinued) 'two bags fly for free.' Delta Air Lines provides complimentary onboard Wi-Fi to all SkyMiles members on equipped aircraft. The airline also offers in-flight experiences, such as its free Sky Hopper game, to earn entries for monthly prizes. Popular airline loyalty initiatives also include personalizing customer service interactions through AI chatbots, tailored promotions and challenges, and subscription memberships. Nevertheless, alliance loyalty remains significant for frequent flyers, as they can earn elite airline status or redeem multiple award flights each year. Programs are personalizing milestone award choices. Preferences for travel rewards are shifting as guests increasingly prefer personalized perks over the uniform approach that older generations typically favor. Hotels and airlines that challenge the status quo by treating each customer as unique and highly valued stand to benefit the most from this changing trend. Related Articles:
Travel Daily News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Mews survey reveals: The rise of self-check in hotels
Mews research shows 70% of U.S. travelers prefer digital check-in, highlighting growing demand for self-service, personalization, and frictionless hotel experiences. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – The traditional hotel front desk is no longer a must-stop for modern guests, as revealed by new Mews-commissioned research. Seventy percent of American travelers are likely to check themselves into a hotel using an app or a self-service kiosk instead of a traditional front desk. This preference skyrockets to 82% among Gen Z travelers, signaling a fundamental shift in how guests want to interact with hotels. Self-service isn't just about speed – it's a key driver of guest satisfaction and loyalty. In a survey of 2,000 U.S. travelers, frustrations with traditional hotel operations remain clear: 82% of current hotel loyalty members report pain points with existing systems, including lengthy check-in processes, limited flexibility, and outdated service models that fail to meet modern expectations. 'I founded Mews to transform the traditional hotel experience by eliminating the reception desk to allow staff to engage more personally with guests,' said Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. 'Since bringing Mews Kiosks to hotels in the U.S., 30% of guests check-in via the Kiosk, cutting check-in time by a third and freeing up staff to really welcome their guests and provide remarkable experiences throughout their stay, not to mention the fact that Kiosks drive 25% higher upsells in our hotels today. Waiting in the lobby queue is simply not a hospitable experience for today's travelers, it's another example where if the technology works, guests value convenience over tradition.' U.S Hotels Surpass Global Benchmarks in Digital Adoption Mews' own data shows that U.S. properties are leading the way in self-service: In the U.S., 30% of all reservations among Kiosk-enabled hotels are checked in through Mews Kiosk, versus a global benchmark of 20% 10.5% of total U.S. reservations use the Mews Guest Portal for check-in (compared to the global average of 8.6%), marking a 20% higher preference for online check-in among U.S. guests. Hotels are also seeing measurable benefits. Guests checking in via kiosk are three times more likely to purchase an upsell, generating nearly 70% more upsell revenue per check-in compared to those using the front desk. Other insights from the survey include: Nearly 80% of guests most likely to return to a hotel cite personalized amenities as the reason, with the sentiment strongest among Gen Z travelers (89%). 93% of travelers are willing to share personal data in order to improve their experiences with hotels, including details on preferred check-in/out times (60%), gender preferences (49%), food and beverage choices (48%), age (47%) and desired amenities and activities (46%). 'At Generator, we're always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience, from our smart, design-led spaces to the technology that powers the guest journey,' said Annajane Guzel, Global Director of Brand Marketing at Generator. 'Our self-check-in kiosks at Generator Miami have become an essential part of how we create a seamless experience for our guests who value efficiency. By leveraging this smart technology, we're not only streamlining operations but elevating the guest experience in a way that feels intuitive, flexible, and reflective of how our guests travel. Our self-check-in kiosks give guests the autonomy to arrive on their own terms, skip the desk, and dive straight into the true Generator experience – whether that's exploring like a local or relaxing by the pool with a cocktail in hand.' Valtr added, 'The message from travelers is clear: frictionless convenience is the new standard. This isn't about eliminating human interaction – it's about empowering both guests and staff to create more meaningful touchpoints and experiences. Hotels embracing this evolution will earn the loyalty of tomorrow's most valuable guests.' The data from both travelers and hotels is clear: the front desk era is giving way to a digital-first guest journey, where flexibility, personalization, and operational excellence will shine.
Hospitality Net
11-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
70% of Travelers Would Skip the Front Desk, Mews Survey Reveals: The Rise of Self-Check-In Hotels
The traditional hotel front desk is no longer a must-stop for modern guests, as revealed by new Mews-commissioned research. Seventy percent of American travelers are likely to check themselves into a hotel using an app or a self-service kiosk instead of a traditional front desk. This preference skyrockets to 82% among Gen Z travelers, signaling a fundamental shift in how guests want to interact with hotels. Self-service isn't just about speed – it's a key driver of guest satisfaction and loyalty. In a survey of 2,000 U.S. travelers, frustrations with traditional hotel operations remain clear: 82% of current hotel loyalty members report pain points with existing systems, including lengthy check-in processes, limited flexibility, and outdated service models that fail to meet modern expectations. I founded Mews to transform the traditional hotel experience by eliminating the reception desk to allow staff to engage more personally with guests, said Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. Since bringing Mews Kiosks to hotels in the U.S., 30% of guests check-in via the Kiosk, cutting check-in time by a third and freeing up staff to really welcome their guests and provide remarkable experiences throughout their stay, not to mention the fact that Kiosks drive 25% higher upsells in our hotels today. Waiting in the lobby queue is simply not a hospitable experience for today's travelers, it's another example where if the technology works, guests value convenience over tradition. U.S Hotels Surpass Global Benchmarks in Digital Adoption Mews' own data shows that U.S. properties are leading the way in self-service: In the U.S., 30% of all reservations among Kiosk-enabled hotels are checked in through Mews Kiosk, versus a global benchmark of 20% 10.5% of total U.S. reservations use the Mews Guest Portal for check-in (compared to the global average of 8.6%), marking a 20% higher preference for online check-in among U.S. guests. Hotels are also seeing measurable benefits. Guests checking in via kiosk are three times more likely to purchase an upsell, generating nearly 70% more upsell revenue per check-in compared to those using the front desk. Other insights from the survey include: Nearly 80% of guests most likely to return to a hotel cite personalized amenities as the reason, with the sentiment strongest among Gen Z travelers (89%). 93% of travelers are willing to share personal data in order to improve their experiences with hotels, including details on preferred check-in/out times (60%), gender preferences (49%), food and beverage choices (48%), age (47%) and desired amenities and activities (46%). At Generator, we're always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience, from our smart, design-led spaces to the technology that powers the guest journey, said Annajane Guzel, Global Director of Brand Marketing at Generator. Our self-check-in kiosks at Generator Miami have become an essential part of how we create a seamless experience for our guests who value efficiency. By leveraging this smart technology, we're not only streamlining operations but elevating the guest experience in a way that feels intuitive, flexible, and reflective of how our guests travel. Our self-check-in kiosks give guests the autonomy to arrive on their own terms, skip the desk, and dive straight into the true Generator experience - whether that's exploring like a local or relaxing by the pool with a cocktail in hand. Valtr added, The message from travelers is clear: frictionless convenience is the new standard. This isn't about eliminating human interaction – it's about empowering both guests and staff to create more meaningful touchpoints and experiences. Hotels embracing this evolution will earn the loyalty of tomorrow's most valuable guests. The data from both travelers and hotels is clear: the front desk era is giving way to a digital-first guest journey, where flexibility, personalization, and operational excellence will shine. About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality. Katie Halfhead Senior Communications Manager
Hospitality Net
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Small Danish Hotels forms strategic partnership with Mews to accelerate digital transformation
Copenhagen – Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, has been selected as a strategic partner by Small Danish Hotels, the largest independent hotel chain in Denmark, to support the digital transformation of its portfolio of 64 independently owned properties across the country. The agreement enables hotels within the Small Danish Hotels chain to adopt Mews' innovative property management system, with the goal of improving operational efficiency and guest experience. With a legacy spanning over 40 years, Small Danish Hotels connects a diverse portfolio of boutique hotels, inns, castles and seaside retreats, offering business stays as well as tailor-made holiday and weekend packages. This partnership gives its member hotels the opportunity to retain their individuality while gaining access to Mews' innovative property management system, enabling faster operations, deeper automation, and increased revenue opportunities. This partnership is a perfect match, said Matt Welle, CEO of Mews. Small Danish Hotels represent some of Denmark's most unique and independent properties. Through this collaboration, Mews can empower them to thrive individually while benefiting from the strength of a connected, forward-thinking brand. Member hotels that choose to implement Mews will benefit from award-winning cloud-based solutions, including digital check-in terminals and integrated payments, helping to reduce manual processes and elevate guest service. Partnering with Mews is a pivotal step in our digital evolution, said Finn Kræfting, CEO of Small Danish Hotels. Mews' modern, user-friendly platform will help our member hotels operate more efficiently, deliver even better guest experiences, and future-proof their businesses. It's a solution that respects the individuality of each hotel while uniting us under one powerful system. To learn more about how Mews is transforming hospitality for independent hotel brands like Small Danish Hotels, visit About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality. Katie Halfhead Senior Communications Manager
