post Saber supports 40% of the world's leading hotel brands: Frank Trumpert First appeared on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.
The transformative power of AI, and generative AI in particular, cannot be overstated. These technologies are unlocking new opportunities for hoteliers to optimize revenue, enhance guest experience and drive greater operational efficiency.
In an interview with TDM, Frank Trumpert, Senior Vice President, Global Managing Director of Community Sales, Saber Hospitality Share more…
Travel Daily Media (TDM): What kind of reach does Saber have in Asia and APAC? What is your growth and distribution strategy for the region? Which brand/independent hotel are you associated with? What are your goals for 2025?
Frank Trumpert (FT): After many years immersed in the APAC market, first in the hotel industry and now at Sabre, I hold this dynamic part of the world close to my heart, both personally and professionally. We support more than 40% of the world's leading hotel brands and our presence in APAC is expanding, particularly in markets such as India, Australia, Singapore and Japan. There is truly no part of the region that is untouched by our hospitality solutions.
Our growth strategy is strongly focused on innovation for our hotel partners to enable them to optimize operational efficiency and deliver exceptional guest experiences. Our portfolio connects to a diverse range of hotel brands, including independent properties, boutique chains and global leaders such as Wyndham and Hyatt. This year, we renewed our long-standing agreement with Wyndham, the world's largest hotel franchisor For nearly two decades, Saber Hospitality has served as the exclusive provider of Wyndham's SynXis Central Reservations System (CRS), which powers thousands of properties. Meanwhile, our implementation to become the primary CRS for Hyatt is nearing completion – an ambitious migration effort that reflects our commitment to operational excellence for our customers.
While you will understand that I cannot reveal specific business goals, I can tell you with confidence that, following a strong performance in 2024, our goals for the future are both ambitious and based on our proven ability to deliver effective solutions for our partners. .
TDM: How does Saber use AI to improve revenue for hoteliers while enhancing the guest experience? Please share a case study example.
ft: This is an incredibly exciting area of innovation for both Saber and our hotel partners. The transformative power of AI, and generative AI in particular, cannot be overstated. These technologies are unlocking new opportunities for hoteliers to optimize revenue, enhance guest experience and drive greater operational efficiency.
Take our merchandising solution SynXis Retailing as a prime example. It uses predictive analytics and machine learning to enable hoteliers to tailor guest experiences such as off-property tours, products and more. By identifying the best service and experience for different customer segments and retailing, hoteliers can provide highly personalized recommendations. This can increase revenue and conversion rates, empowering guests to choose and purchase what they truly value, whether it's an exclusive tour or on-site service.
A great example of this is Lux South Ari Atoll, a luxury resort in the Maldives that harnesses the power of bundling with SynXis Retailing to create highly customizable all-inclusive packages tailored to their guests' preferences. These packages combine unique experiences such as romantic getaways, adventure tours, and curated dining options, transforming stays into immersive and unforgettable trips. This approach has not only increased guest satisfaction but is already driving increased ancillary revenue in 2024, demonstrating the power of personalization and retailing as a strategy for sustainable revenue growth.
TDM: How is the hospitality technology landscape changing in Asia and APAC? What upcoming trends do you see for hotel technology solutions in 2025?
ft: The future of hospitality in APAC will be defined by a retail-driven approach, powered by AI, focused on personalization and deeply committed to sustainability. The ability to embrace these trends through advanced technology will enable hoteliers to stay competitive, attract eco-conscious travelers, and deliver memorable, tailored experiences that resonate with today's modern guests.
As we enter 2025, the focus will increasingly shift to hoteliers who adopt a retail-centric approach, treating each guest interaction as an opportunity to sell value-added experiences beyond the room. This shift will enable hotels to offer a more holistic experience that caters to the unique needs and preferences of each guest. With personalization as the new standard, hotel brands will deliver experiences that rival non-travel brands. Sabre's SynXis Retailing is an essential part of this transformation, bringing the full power of retailing to the hospitality industry. It enables hoteliers to increase total revenue by retailing tailored services and experiences across the entire guest journey.
The increasing integration of artificial intelligence will play an important role in providing deep personalization, recommendations based on past behavior, real-time interactions and predictive analytics. By harnessing the power of this technology, hoteliers can improve guest engagement and provide a more seamless, dynamic experience. As generative AI continues to evolve, it will enable more personalized and scalable solutions for hotels, whether through automated content creation, dynamic pricing, or enhanced customer service capabilities—demonstrated by our newly launched Concierge.AI.
Sustainability will also continue to be a significant focus, driven by both consumer demand and regulatory pressure. Travelers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly options, and hoteliers need to provide information and choices that align with these preferences.
TDM: How was your experience at ITB Asia 2024, Singapore? Did the event meet your expectations? How did your business meetings go and which hospitality/tourism product do you get the most questions for?
FT: Returning to ITB Asia was an incredible experience, buzzing with energy and enthusiasm throughout the busy trade show booths and packed hallways. A strong interest in the hospitality sector was evident. The real highlight for me was reconnecting face-to-face with clients, prospects and colleagues.
I had the opportunity to participate in engaging, insightful discussions with Ascott, including a lively panel and a fireside chat featuring Amy Reed, our VP at Saber Hospitality, along with Shawn Seah, Senior VP of Strategy, Technology and Innovation at Langham Hospitality. Our group discussion focused on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and how it can be used to lead and succeed in today's hospitality landscape.
It was exciting to speak with many hoteliers who are eager to discuss their retail strategies beyond traditional room sales to unlock new revenue streams while enhancing the guest experience. We had some meaningful conversations about how technology can provide hoteliers with tailored services and experiences that truly resonate with the modern traveler and how they can streamline operations from one platform. We shared insights from our upcoming AI initiative, how generative AI will drive operational efficiency in everyday tasks, while machine learning enables hyper-personalized guest experiences. As the festive season approaches, many hotels are showing keen interest in our gift card and voucher solution and how it can integrate with their retail strategies to generate valuable last-minute revenue.
TDM: How has 2024 been for Saber globally? Which regions have you had the most growth and which new markets have you expanded into? What new technology products are in the pipeline for 2025?
ft: 2024 is a solid year of growth and innovation for Saber as a whole, and a great year for Saber hospitality worldwide. This was driven by overall higher customer deployment, continued growth in CRS transactions and a favorable mix within our customer base.
As a global technology company, Saber's reach extends to every corner of the world. The APAC region continues to be a focal point and we have seen significant growth here. Recent notable customer wins include South Korea's LOTTE Hotels and Resorts, which has relocated to Sabre's SynXis CRS, as well as several major brands in Japan and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Sri Lanka.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are focused on how AI-driven technology and data insights can support our customers' growth strategies. One of the key solutions in our pipeline is SynXis Booking Engine Concierge.AI, a generative AI conversational tool that will personalize guest experiences by providing tailored recommendations and creating customized itineraries. Additionally, after a successful pilot, we expect to roll out our email automation tool, which uses AI to read, understand and respond to customer emails, increasing our hotel partners' operational efficiency and increasing guest satisfaction.
We are focusing on advanced analytics; Ensuring our customers have the tools and information they need to make data-driven decisions and improve performance. There's more to come as we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what's possible in the hospitality tech space.
TDM: What is the most challenging and what is the best part of your work profile? What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
ft: We're committed to solving the most complex challenges in travel, so I'd say the challenge of Saber Hospitality is also what makes working here so exciting. Ensuring that our hotel partners can navigate the rapid pace of change with advanced technology and understanding of market dynamics to meet guest expectations. It's a fast-paced environment that requires constant innovation, and it's exciting to be part of a team that takes on this challenge every day.
The best part of my role is the opportunity, alongside our talented team, to make a real impact on the success of our customers and, by extension, improve the experience of travelers around the world. Leading transformational projects, such as implementing advanced retail solutions, gives me a front-row seat to how technology can unlock new possibilities for hoteliers. Seeing the real-world impact of our work, both on the business side and on the guest experience, is incredibly rewarding.
Equally inspiring is collaborating with diverse teams of passionate innovators around the world. Working with colleagues as committed to the evolution of hospitality as I am is inspiring and fulfilling and a reminder of how much we can achieve when we come together as a team alongside our hotel partners, with a shared vision.
For anyone passionate about innovation, customer experience and making a difference, the hospitality technology industry is an exciting place to be. If you want to make an impact, I would say dream big, work hard and always stay connected to the purpose behind what you do – business growth for hoteliers and providing exceptional experiences for travelers worldwide.
post Saber supports 40% of the world's leading hotel brands: Frank Trumpert appeared first Travel Daily Media.