Latest news with #RichardValtr
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
Skift
23-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Rewiring Hotel Tech for Humans
Mews founder Richard Valtr argues hospitality needs to embrace technology more, a point he made during this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More This episode of the Skift Travel Podcast featured a discussion with Richard Valtr, founder of cloud-PMS provider Mews, which took place during the Mews Unfold conference in Amsterdam. Valtr talked with Head of Research Seth Borko about the company's vision and why hospitality undervalues technology. Listen Now Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Five Key Points Hotel Tech Is Burdened by Legacy Systems: Valtr explains that many of the entrenched problems in hotel tech stem from the early adoption of digital systems that were ahead of their time. These legacy systems, like those used in airlines (e.g., Sabre), became rigid and unable to adapt to modern needs. Mews aims to address these limitations by building more flexible and intuitive systems designed with hoteliers in mind. Industry Standardization Needs to Evolve: While hotel brands have historically emphasized standardization to scale globally and ensure consistency, Valtr argues that today's technology enables personalization and richer guest experiences. Mews seeks to elevate industry norms by leveraging modern tools—like AI and automation—to recapture the personal touch once common in hospitality. Modernizing Hospitality Employment and Operations: The industry needs to rethink traditional hospitality roles and working conditions — like long front desk shifts — and introduce more flexibility and automation in back-end operations. Leveraging automation can help reduce unnecessary labor while improving both employee well-being and operational efficiency. Industry Resistance to Tech is Cultural, Not Logical: A persistent challenge in hospitality is a cultural reluctance to embrace technology, particularly among older leadership. The next generation of hoteliers is expected to drive more tech-forward, guest-centric operations by seeing tech as an enabler, not an obstacle. The Future: Interoperability, Empathy, and AI: Technologies like computer vision and data-sharing (e.g., from platforms like Uber) can create truly personalized, seamless guest experiences. Mews envisions a future where tech augments human empathy—identifying guest moods or preferences on arrival—and blends invisible data flows into intuitive service that defines modern luxury. Episode Summary Borko and Valtr discussed the evolution of hotel technology. Valtr explained that the original vision behind Mews was to eliminate the impersonal and transactional nature of hotel check-ins by creating a more human-centric, tech-enabled guest experience. Although Mews has grown into a Property Management System (PMS) that acts as a hotel's central nervous system, integrating booking, guest data, and operations, Valtr emphasized that Mews is more than a PMS. It's evolved into a guest management and profitability optimization platform. Valtr also said that while standardization helped the hotel industry scale efficiently — enabling tasks like cleaning 100 rooms quickly — it should now serve as a foundation, not the goal. With modern technology, it's possible to return to a more personalized, 17th-century-style guest experience, once impossible due to technological limitations.
Hospitality Net
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
The Heart of Hospitality - A Day at Mews Unfold Volume 06
Exactly one week ago, we had the pleasure of attending Mews Unfold 2025 in Amsterdam. Now in its sixth edition, Unfold has grown into one of the most anticipated hospitality events in Europe, drawing over 700 hoteliers, tech partners, and innovators from around the world. What began in a single room just a few years ago has evolved into a multi-floor experience, full of energy, insight, and meaningful connection. This year's event was a powerful reminder of what hospitality is really about: not just technology, but people. From organizers to speakers, the Mews team curated a day that balanced operational insights with heartfelt conversations and hands-on learning. It didn't feel like a typical tech conference, it felt like a gathering of a community that genuinely cares about the future of guest experience. The opening keynote by Mews Founder Richard Valtr and CEO Matt Welle set an open and honest tone for the day: in a world marked by global conflict, economic uncertainty, and shifting guest behaviors, they encouraged the audience to stop asking 'why?' and start focusing on 'how to respond.' Their message was clear: hospitality must be agile, blending human instinct with data-driven decisions. 'Don't wait for the impact. Be it,' said Richard. Throughout the day, attendees explored the connection between technology and human service. Whether in the thoughtful one-on-one conversation with Monica Galetti, the dynamic panels on automation and personalization, or the breakout sessions on revenue management and tech integration, one message kept coming through: hospitality is, and will always be, about connection. Source: Hospitality Net Unfold was not only about the sessions; the Mews Product and Partner Zones offered an additional layer to the experience. These spaces provided a relaxed setting for networking and connecting with clients, industry suppliers, and speakers in between sessions and during breaks. As the official program came to a close, the Mews Unfold Awards offered well-deserved recognition to those pushing boundaries, celebrating excellence in guest experience, innovation, sustainability, and leadership. It was a great ending to a day filled with learning and new ideas. Source: Hospitality Net The day wrapped up with a lively gathering, complete with great food, drinks, and a buzzing atmosphere. Conversations deepened, new connections were made, and the energy of the day continued in full force, offering a fitting end to an inspiring and well-executed event. Unfold 2025 reminded us why we do what we do. Technology plays a crucial role, but the magic lies in the moments we create for others. Hats off to the Mews team for delivering a day full of energy, warmth, and vision. We are already looking forward to Unfold Volume 07, because if this year showed anything, there's still so much more ahead. This was just the beginning. Over the coming days, we will be sharing more in-depth articles from Unfold 2025, exploring some of the key sessions, expert insights, and ideas shaping the future of hospitality.
