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TheMobileBuzz





        European hoteliers                                       Going a step further, an additional scan, key code or
                                                                 Bluetooth-enabled device can unlock the guest's hotel
        get tech savvy                                           room door. Alternatively, self-service key-validation
                                                                 can be enabled using the hotel's existing infrastructure
                                                                 integrated with Onescan, the company said.

                                                                 Throughout the hotel stay, Onescan can also enable
                                                                 guests to order additional services via smartphone, either
                                                                 through the hotel app or driven directly by visual calls
                                                                 to action displayed around the hotel. Such services might
                                                                 include room service, restaurant bookings, shopping,
                                                                 events, excursions, value-added services and other special
                                                                 offers available to guests.

                                                                 When ready to check out, hotel guests can review their
                                                                 bills; split charges between personal and business
                 ravel in Europe could become much easier for    expenses, if necessary; and pay using appropriate card
                 mobile-equipped visitors.  At the 2017 Travel   details without having to leave the Onescan app, Ensygnia
                 Technology Europe event held in February,       noted. Guest receipts are then sent automatically to the
        T multiple tech startups blazing new trails in           mobile app and by email to each guest. To gain additional
        the travel industry showcased their wares in the show's   feedback, hoteliers may also invite guests to complete a
        Launchpad area.                                          survey using the app.

        Leading the charge, Ensygnia Ltd. introduced Onescan,    Onescan employs bank grade security to safeguard users'
        a smartphone-based hotel check-in and payment system.    personal and financial data. According to Ensygnia,
        The technology is part of Ensygnia's instant interactive   personal data is encrypted and stored in a secure vault
        platform designed to encourage user engagement when      on  the  user's  smartphone,  and  the  interaction  with  the
        booking trips, ordering goods, registering for services,   platform effectively activates permission for it to be
        making payments or claiming rewards. Interactions can    accessed and used each time the process is triggered.
        be triggered via email, text message, website, on-site   Travel tech movers
        signage ‒ virtually anything smartphones can receive.
                                                                 Other tech startups featured in the Launchpad included
        Ensygnia Chief Executive Officer Richard Harris believes   Flyto, whose service enables airline travelers to pay for
        the value for hotels is not just the faster check-in, but also   flights in fixed monthly installments over an extended
        the instant interaction marketing and customer service   period, from two to six months, rather than having to pay
        that it enables both when guests are staying and when    everything upfront.
        they are at home. "It delivers a huge increase in guest
        engagement," he said. "And of course, for guests, it will   A new app from RoomAssistant allows guests direct access
        mean they can check in quicker, order smarter and pay    to hotel services from smartphone and tablet devices. The
        easier."                                                 company provides configuration, implementation, and
                                                                 launch assistance, along with an application programming
        Onescan's multipatented system is designed to not        interface. At check-in, guests can choose to receive a
        only eliminate guest check-in lines, but also provide    welcome note containing app download information to
        opportunities to enhance the guest experience. Travelers   tap into room service, hail a cab, upload a local map and
        who use the mobile app to book a room can, upon arrival,   receive other guest services.
        scan a code in the hotel reception area to check in for
        their stay. Scanned codes enable the system to retrieve   Upgrade2 launched a sales conversion engine to help
        and register the name of the guest, length of stay and   hotels deliver more services after reservations are made.
        room details, as well as add loyalty data or offer upgrade   With the app, guests can customize their stay with add-on
        options, if available.                                   services and experiences offered by each hotel.

        Each guest is able to view and confirm relevant hotel stay   Also in the spotlight was the travel itinerary app from
        details directly on a smartphone screen. Onescan sends a   Tineri, currently in beta mode, that allows tour operators
        copy of guest identification or passport information to the   and travel agents to provide clients with interactive
        hotel check-in system and keeps the guest's designated   itineraries displayed in summary, calendar and detailed
        payment method on file, eliminating the need to present   formats. It can also link to deeper information and tips on
        a physical passport or credit card for identification or to   things to see and do at each destination.
        make payments. The entire process can be completed in
        seconds, the company noted.

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