Sabre‘s focus on open technology solutions, personalised guest experiences, and cutting-edge technologies positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of hospitality. As the industry continues to adapt and innovate, Sabre said its commitment to enhancing guest experiences remains unwavering.
In an interaction with ET TravelWorld, Scott Wilson, President of Sabre Hospitality, delved into the evolving landscape of hospitality technology and Sabre’s role in driving innovation in the industry.
Wilson highlighted the longstanding presence of technology in the travel industry. He emphasised that the acceleration of technology has always been about making the traveller’s journey smoother and more personalised. He recalled his experience in the airline industry when self-check-in kiosks were introduced, underscoring the ongoing pursuit of improving guest experiences.
Key technological advancements by Sabre
Wilson discussed Sabre’s role in enhancing guest experiences through its Synexus platform. This platform allows hoteliers to expand their revenue beyond traditional means, emphasising the shift from simply filling rooms to Total Revenue Per Available Room (TRevPAR). The Synexus platform offers tools to manage ancillary services, such as nearby event spaces and restaurants, creating more comprehensive and personalised guest experiences. A significant innovation is the Retail Studio, a product designed to integrate additional experiences into the booking process, enhancing the guest’s understanding of the full range of services offered by a hotel.Sabre’s focus on the Indian market
Wilson highlighted the growth and importance of the Indian market for Sabre. He explained that over 50 per cent of Sabre’s business is outside of North America, with India being a significant part of the company’s portfolio. Sabre works with a variety of partners in India and takes an open approach by using open APIs to integrate with providers of travel and tourism services. This approach allows for flexibility in adopting technology solutions, making it accessible to a broad range of hotels.
Challenges in the industry and how Sabre helps
Wilson acknowledged the staffing challenges that the industry faces due to the impact of the pandemic. He mentioned that many hoteliers are experiencing resource shortages, with some properties facing a reduction of up to 15 per cent in staffing. In response, Sabre offers technology solutions that optimise operational efficiency and reduce the need for extensive manpower. The Nuvola system, an acquisition by Sabre, streamlines housekeeping and other operations, enabling hotels to manage resources more efficiently.
With this, Frankfurt becomes the first airport in Europe to offer biometric touchpoints to all airline passengers, enabling streamlined passage throughout the airport. Once registered within a few seconds, passengers can navigate the airport by passing through facial recognition-equipped checkpoints without the need for physical documents. This technology is already in use by over 12,000 passengers.
Emerging trends and technologies
Wilson underlined the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the industry. AI and ML provide personalised recommendations to guests by recognising patterns in their browsing behavior. These technologies help guests find the experiences that best match their interests and preferences.
Moreover, he discussed the emergence of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) as game-changing technologies. These technologies promise to revolutionise the consumer experience by allowing travellers to have a more immersive view of their destination. Wilson expects AR and VR to become a major part of the travel industry in the next two to three years.
Sabre’s focus on open technology solutions, personalised guest experiences, and cutting-edge technologies positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of hospitality. As the industry continues to adapt and innovate, Sabre said its commitment to enhancing guest experiences remains unwavering.
