Facial recognition could be the new airline boarding pass

Source: 9to5mac.com

Nowadays, new technologies are everywhere and their uses are multiple in order to change and to enhance customer’s experiences. We can still improve products or processes and especially in the tourism sector. For example, who has never thought it is too long to get in a plane? Only 2 people to check your ID and your boarding passes. Since many years, one technology is developing rapidly with the facial recognition. The aim is to replace boarding passes and to reduce the time for boarding in the plane. British Airways was one of the first airline companies to implement this technology in Orlando airport in 2017. They decided to test their “new biometric boarding process” in Miami and New York JFK airports.

This article deals with this face-recognition process that can be implemented by different airlines companies in many airports if tests are positive. Indeed, many airlines companies try to find a solution in order to be more efficient and to reduce boarding time by two. “Biometric e-Gates”, as they call it, could be the solution. It’s based on gates using high-definition camera to scan traveler’s faces. Travelers need to scan their passport and then the camera will scan and check their facial features in 1 second. They will see whether it matches with their passport or visa photos. British Airways did one experience on a Los Angeles – Orlando flight and the result was pretty good because they were able to board 400 travelers in only 22 minutes. Normally, with the normal process it takes twice that amount of time. More and more companies will try this technology and Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is also testing it.

With terrorism threats, security checks has increased and it takes more time to control identity. If airlines companies and airports approve this new process, it can be a way to reduce boarding time and to improve consequently flights efficiency. Indeed, if companies reduce time, they can propose more flights to customers. In the United States, it is also a safer method because it allows you to verify face features with Customs and Border Protection data. This new process could be beneficial for both customers and flight companies. One will wait less to get in the plane while the other will be more efficient.

However, travelers need to have a biometric passport because inside of it, there is a chip with your picture and fingerprint. While a lot of country has adopted this technology there are still some people who do not have access to it. There is also a question of privacy life because even if you will gain time to board, it is not only your personal information that will be saved but also your face.

We could also implement this technology for MICE industry. At the registration desk, big congress organizers can use facial recognition to reduce waiting time and machines can provide the attendees with their badges once they have checked their identity with face-recognition.

Do you think facial recognition could be the solution to reduce waiting time at the airport? Will you be ready to sacrifice privacy on the altar of timesaving?

Antoine Gagneux and Laura Baptiste

Lovejoy B. (2018, March 9) After Face ID to unlock your iPhone, face-recognition could be the new airline boarding pass. Retrieved from https://9to5mac.com/2018/03/09/facial-recognition-boarding-pass/

Maritim Hotels’ Wechat Mini Program launching in ITB Berlin 2018

The Maritim Hotels group had made an announcement during the global travel tradw show ITB Berlin 2018 four days ago. It teams up with the most used Chinese instant communication application “Wechat” to develop its first Mini program, with the objective to satisfy the increasing Chinese travelers’ need. Nowadays, guests of the Maritim hotel can scan the Mini program’s QR code at the front desk, rooms and restaurants in all the 47 properties. They can not only have access to all the information about the hotel, but also some selected local city tour including attractions, local cuisine, entertainment and other contents. The collaboration allows the group to improve the Chinese guests’ experience, by avoiding the language barriers and misleading travel information.

source:http://press.maritim.com

In 9^th January 2017, the Vice President of Tencent Zhang Xiaolong announced the release of the Mini program. It is a kind of application that can be used without downloading and installing. It realizes the dream of “touching” the application. The user can open the application by scanning or searching. After the application is fully opened, the developers whose main body types are companies, governments, media, other organizations or individuals may apply for registration of small programs. The applet, subscription number, service number, and enterprise number are parallel systems.

The purpose of wechat mini-programs

To meet with raised quality travel expectations form the Chinese outbound tourists, Wechat mini program is a bigger move. With solutions ranging from flight-booking, hotels, car service, attractions searching, Wechat mini program no doubt helps the global travel industry to target and welcome more Chinses travelers. CLSA Limited (CLSA), Asia’s leading and longest-running independent brokerage and investment group, remains bullish on Chinese tourism maintaining forecast of 200 million by 2020. As the market matures there will be a continued demand to travel independently and away from original tour groups.it is compulsory to provide instant and convenient services for the growing FIT and millennial market of outbound Chinese tourist to make higher revenue.

The future of Wechat mini program in our view

With monthly active users of nearly one billion, WeChat certainly has the audience numbers to make a serious impact in the travel industry and beyond.

   -Accessibility: Users can access mini-programs by scanning a QR code, searching for their service name on WeChat, or by clicking on a link shared by friends. Once opened, mini-programs will be automatically saved to the users WeChat account. It means this service is easy accessible and takes up less space on the phone for travelers.

   -Low cost compared with Apps: As we know, no matter the development cost or the advertisement or promotion cost for the Apps are very high. Even it is unaffordable for some new start-ups or small companies in travel industry. Besides, there are already a mass of hotels groups, tourism administrations, tour operators and travel agencies owning an official account in Wechat. Therefore, advertising and directly attracting followers on Wechat could reduce the budget and even get more feedback.

With the above-mentioned benefits, we are looking forward to see the shape of Wechat mini program and its effects in the global travel industry. However, as the favor of Chinese travels is based on user generated content, which is a key aspect in a Chinese’s traveler’s decision making and planning procedure. We are considering it is crucial for Tencent to develop the reviews part for the Wechat mini program in the upcoming years.

Source: 

Harriet Eversmeye,2018 March, Maritim lanuched Wechat Mini program for Chinese travelers. Retrieved from:http://press.maritim.com/news/maritim-launched-wechat-mini-program-for-chinese-travelers-296817

Post by Yi GU &Eryi LI

Cashless payment: The future in tourism sector?

Credit: ra2studio – Shutterstock.com

New technologies always try to enhance customer’s experience with more efficient, faster and easier processes. One of them is cashless solution which is growing more and more since few years ago especially in tourism sector. Everything is done by many companies to create a centralized tool to pay, to chat, to order. Tourism and event sectors offers a lot of opportunities to develop technologies like cashless.

This article speaks about one French start-up called PayinTech who developed a new payment method including new technology in order to give a better and more secure solution to pay. Their concept is mainly based around one bracelet that people have during a business event, their vacation in a hotel or even during a sport event such as football game. They can directly pay with their bracelet by putting it in front of a terminal or a scanner. They have the freedom to put the amount of money they want and they don’t need to bring cash.

PayinTech is one of the first companies who believed in this product and they launched it in 2013. Today, they already have important customers in the tourism and hotel sectors such as the famous HellFfest festival, Val-d’Isère ski resort, Pierre & Vacances and Center Parcs. One month ago, they revealed that a second fundraising campaign was done and they gathered more than 4 million euros. It’s a great success for this start-up because since the first fundraising campaign in 2017, they doubled the size of the company. Even if this process has been approved by many companies, some consumers have a little negative review about it. For example, you have decided to put 20€ on the bracelet for your football game (to buy beers, chips or jersey in the shop) but at the end, it remains 10€. What would you do? Spend your 10€ or ask to give you back your 10€. Most of the time, you will buy another product to finish your credit on your bracelet. Some consumer thinks that this type of payment would tend to push for consumption.

However this new method of payment can be very useful especially in the tourism sector for example in aquatic parks, camping or resorts. Customers will have an easiest solution to pay and they can feel more comfortable without thinking of going back to take their money. The main objective is to simplify customer’s experience. As PayinTech already created, they can also centralized different features on your bracelet. If you spend your vacation in a resort, you can gather your room key, money and it will be easier for check in and check out. More and more sector could use this concept in the future. MICE is one attractive market because this method can be implemented in order to reduce the waiting time during registration or food point.

This solution could be useful both for companies and customers. As we saw previously, the main characteristics for users are ease of use and security. Moreover, it will help companies to improve the customer experience by delivering them a better service and also by collecting data about their behaviour. As it can be linked with management software, it can be very beneficial for companies.

Would you use this type of payment?

Antoine Gagneux and Laura Baptiste

Cuny D. (2018, February 12). Paiement cashless: la startup PayinTech lève 4,5 millions d'euros. Retrieved from https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/banques-finance/paiement-cashless-la-startup-payintech-leve-4-5-millions-d-euros-768155.html

Experiences Airbnb, more than just a place to stay.

By Gabriela Vega and Dayris Martinez

Another reason to love Airbnb, now you can also reserve dances parties in Havana and historical tours around any city in the world.

I personally love Airbnb, I have only had really good experiences using the app. I have even found my house through them and I couldn't be happier.

But it is not only about accommodation anymore, as the way the word is constantly changing also companies have to change in order to survive in the market and Airbnb is not the exception.

It is true that this company changed the way we see traveling and became a strong rival for hotels but not happy with that they went beyond its core business to become a fuller service travel agency.

This amazing company introduce what they called "Trips" which provide tours, activities and other experiences, as well as events. This new service helps tourists immerse in the local community, since the activities and experiences are created and provided by locals.  Right now it is only available in 12 cities but hopefully they will expand to more.

They came with this idea because they were having some problems with the regulations in some countries because in some of them renting a house for a short time is illegal so this allows people to make extra money in a way that might be less controversial than the short-term rental and make the company go deeper into the travel and event market.

“We show people around the way we’d show a friend.” JC. Rodriguez  a former artist in Miami who offers a two-day experience which allows visitors meeting with local artists and create their own pieces said.

I think that is the added value of what Airbnb offers and what make them so unique and a so successful because in the end it doesn’t matter if it’s tourism or events, all it is about to bring the best experience to your customer.

This is a good example of what happen if you have a good understanding of the power of IT in your business whether is tourism or events.

To see the original post please click in the link:

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/11/18/technology/airbnb-trips-travel-tours-tailored-experiences.html
Photos dowloaded from:
Flickr with out copy right restrictions
https://www.flickr.com/search/?media=photos&license=7%2C9%2C10&advanced=1&text=smiling%20people

Team Building 2.0 – Why is Technology essential?

Corporates Events have become necessary in Companies, and Team Building Activities are one of the different sections gathering the employees of a company.

The main objectives of Team Building are:

-        -         To Break-Ice between co-workers
-        To communicate and share information within a team 
-        To create and enhance cohesion and team-work between the company’s stakeholders
-        To create and enhance interaction and network between co-workers
-        To motivate and improve the team’s productivity
-        To celebrate and reward employees

And most of all, have fun!

Gathering and Interaction between all Attendees

Technology changed the way to interact in Corporate Events. 

The creation of Technological Platforms allows teams to interact with each other (via photos, videos, livestreaming scores, etc.), instead of communicating only within your team. This enhances challenges among teams and gets employees to network with more people.

Moreover, the new generation is more committed in activities involving technologies they grew up with.

Novelty & Creativity

Teams’ interaction is facilitated with the access to new technologies.

Attendees are all steered to participate, they learn from these new devices, but also get inspired, creative and competitive.

A Tailor-Made Event which can be used as a Template for Future Events.

Technological Platforms make possible the creation of “customised” activities. Events can then be tailor-made by the organiser according to its needs and wants, and the events’ specificities (length, location, targeted attendees).

Organising previous events on platforms also allows the organiser to keep all details on the software, to create new ones from core information and make it a valuable investment. It then represents the main structure for future use, improving organisation, expenses and time allocation.

Gamification & Competition

Team-Building 2.0 leads attendees to participate with their own devices, that all can interact and get the feedbacks in real-time. Competition is encouraged and all employees want to do their best for the team.

Ease of Data Collection and Analysis

As all data are stored on software and platforms, organisers have an easy-access to it. Everything is organised and can easily be found, extracted and analysed by the Event Planners in order to get Live Streaming scores and feedbacks.

Examples of Team-Building Activities:

Photos and Videos Contests (Selfie, Creation of a Movie); Use of New Technological devices (AR, VR, IoT, Robots, Drones); Races & Geo-Localisation (Tech Escape Game, Geo-Trek); Challenges on Tablets; …

References: 

http://mooveteam.com/teambuilding-technology-5keys/

http://www.eventmarketer.com/article/fab-50-trade-show-attendees/

http://www.bizbash.com/7-tech-based-teambuilding-activities/new-york/story/30943/#.WI4gC7F7TVo

http://ovationdmc.com/10-technologies-to-enrich-teambuilding-activities/

http://www.canadianoutback.com/events/technology.php

French Cocorico !

Wearable technology, the Cricet bracelet

Innovative answer to tech-savvy business and event individuals looking for enhanced experience !

What is it ?

To use a wearable technology, first of all, you need a wearable mobile device, such as glasses, lences, a watch...

A wearable device is an electronic device that can be worn and that is capable to connect to the internet. Thus, the device can be connected to networks and interact thanks to data exchanges between the environment and the user.

Wearable technologies are different as they offer the user to make a really personnal use of hardware sensors and software apps.

Wearable technology get developed fastly thanks to the  fast expansion and growing popularity of mobile networks, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hot spots, applications, and hyper connectivity of users.

All these factors drove the creation of smart watches, web-enabled glasses, intelligent clothes, enhanced-contact lenses..

But, the Google Glasses or the iWatch are already outdated ! Among all the wearable device, one is more interesting than the others.. Your skin ! Yes, in few years, you skin will be your new touchscreen with the Cicret Bracelet !

(Nota: projected images seen are mocked up)

What does it mean for the industry?

In our paper-free system, the Cicret bracelet does not aim to control your heartbeat or your sleeping time but to thrown your smartphone on your forearm.

A French company to change from American big innovators on the market !

At the end of December 2014, this project needed €850.000 to a million to create a prototype to show beginning 2016, for a price varying between  €199 and €399.

-      First of all, it means that the event industry is among the major industries that will encourage innovations in technology. Service related businesses are willing to introduce advanced technology in order to enhance the journey of visitors. But, it also means that our industry has to be proactive more than reactive in front of these evolutions. We think that wearable technologies are meaninfull for event organizers but they have to really understand how it works to make an efficient use of these “magic” tools. Moreover, the idea is not for event organizers  to wait for the technology to be developped but instead, to express their needs and make propositions to technologic corporations in order to develop the technological tools that will help them work more efficiently and provide a better experience to their clients.

As waterproof as your skin can be, it will represent opportunity to be connected at all time (when you wear the device, of course). Under the shower, during your thinking time, you will now be able to use this time efficiently to plan your future event, your future attendance to a venue, manage your guest list etc.

       For the event industry, this new interface is seen as a useful tool to enhance the visitor’s stay. It also improves the capability of event agencies and corporations to gather information about visitors, thus helping them connecting to the visitors and sending them direct and real-time relevant information about their stands, the coming conferences..

      

Wearable technologies are « hands free » technologies. This conveniency they provide to the user is a huge and powerfull argument. Visitors of a trade show or conference organisers need dematerialized information available easily and fastly, everywhere.

The device is also no longer a hinder of operations and natural social interactions. The conference organiser can follow the GPS on his arm and reach fastly and more easily the stand that called him because they did not received their flyers. The visitor can check information about the company he is visiting the stand, or receive push notifications to remind him his planned meetings with exibitors.

 

Wearable technology, hype or opportunity ?

Wearable technologies are not able to offer the same wide range of services as smart phones or tablets. If the visitors already carry one of these two mobile devices, will he be willing to wear another third one ? Not sure

• Hairs, sleeve tatoos, sleeve in clothes... How the device will handle the natural or added skin options ?
• Light bulb will have to be strong as hell to project under the sunlight but then skinburnt and cancer would have to be handled correctly
• How they will handle shadows ? When moving your fingers will avoid see the rest of the screen as the light is projected from one direction
• Can’t project black light
• Brace yourself, skin irritation is coming...
• People fear the company is using the donation to develop only the Cicret application (a safer Whatsapp), an independent app supposed to work with the bracelet but depend on the same donation funding.
• One person only to develop the product, one year to develop it whereas Google and Apple need several people and many years to work on it. The team is composed by a father and a son, Misters Pommier and Fabien Noblet, the supposed developer who has a music diploma
• Scam: with very little percentage of commitment in donation (you can only donate on the official website and not the usual crowdfunding platforms) and can’t stop saying it’s only a prototype lowering the trust of potential consumers

In overall, this Cicret is a very blurred project: financial aspect (donation), “it will comes out soon”, the very small team, the Musician developper, announced suppliers who claim not being part of the project... Let's see what the future holds !

References

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wearable-technology.asp#ixzz47IYuLkNA

https://www.facebook.com/CicretAppandBracelet/

https://usattravel.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/travel-executive-voices-wearables/

https://www.tnooz.com/?s=wearable+technology

http://www.zone-numerique.com/cicret-bracelet-votre-smartphone-sur-votre-avant-bras.html
http://www.erenumerique.fr/le_bracelet_cicret_projette_votre_smartphone_sur_le_bras-article-11540-30.html

http://www.journaldugeek.com/2014/12/05/cicret-le-bracelet-qui-transforme-votre-bras-en-ecran/

http://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/innovation-et-start-up/20141203trib4f3426608/pourquoi-le-cicret-bracelet-risque-de-ne-jamais-voir-le-jour.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J7GpVQCfms