When we look back at the year 2024, it’s clear that this has been a transformative year for HotelFriend. From broadening our global presence at key industry events to achieving major product milestones, this year has been nothing short of remarkable.
We are proud to announce that we have successfully met all our objectives for the year, achieving every target set on a product roadmap. Our team has been relentless in developing all the planned features, ensuring we stay ahead in the competitive landscape of hospitality tech.
With that said, we went beyond our established goals by creating custom products tailored specifically for the cruise industry and educational institutions, highlighting our versatility as a hospitality software provider.
This year, we've expanded our portfolio to offer comprehensive solutions that cater to nearly every type of hospitality business, solidifying HotelFriend as an adaptable and forward-thinking leader in the industry.
Our Global Presence in 2024
● Showcased our innovations and connected with the global hospitality community at major events like WTM London, DIGITAL X, Bits and Pretzels, DMEXCO, and more.
● Attended ITB Berlin in March, where we first introduced the HotelFriend Kiosk Solution to the world.
● Joined the prestigious Travel Industry Club Germany, further strengthening our commitment to shaping the future of hospitality.
Key Achievements and Major Milestones
● Surpassed 12,000 work hours on the Tour Planner for our Cruise Ships project.
● Delivered a custom solution request for the German Football Association (DFB) project in just 3 weeks, a task that typically takes 3 months.
● Supported 64+ ships this season with our HotelFriend Cruise Software, streamlining operations across the fleet.
● Transformed Das Kittchen Hostel into a tech-forward establishment by implementing a comprehensive software and hardware infrastructure, including kiosk-based check-ins, mobile-controlled smart room features, POS systems, and even support for vending machines.
● Introduced more accessible and flexible pricing models tailored to suit a variety of hospitality businesses, from independent hotels to multi-property chains.
Strategic Partnerships that Fuel Our Growth
● Integrated Salto SHIP Protocol and NUKI door lock systems, enhancing security and convenience for our customers.
● Connected with leading solutions providers through integrations with Vectron POS terminals, Smartpricing, and Feratel.
● Achieved fiscal compliance for Italy and Portugal, including the challenging task of fiscalizing invoices for ships in Portugal, delivered within just 3 months.
Exciting Product Upgrades and New Features
● Introduced the integration with ChatGPT, powering our Hotelier’s AI Assistant for smarter guest interactions.
● Enhanced our HotelFriend POS system, providing a more streamlined experience for users.
● Implemented tokenization for secure payments, improved City Tax reporting, and added a PMS Cost Calculator for smarter hotel budgeting.
Our 2024 Content Highlights
● Hosted two successful webinars on automation in the hotel industry, sharing insights on how technology is transforming the guest experience.
● Published "From Hospitality to Logistics: A Guide on Salto Locks Integration," explaining how smart locks and app-controlled access enhance efficiency within HotelFriend PMS.
● Created an article on "The Real Costs of Hotel Property Management Systems in 2024," featuring our easy-to-use PMS cost calculator for smarter budgeting.
● Wrote "Why Your University Needs a Student Housing Management System," a helpful guide for managing student housing more efficiently.
● Highlighted upselling strategies in a blog by our CEO, Denis Severyuk, showing how small changes can lead to extra revenue for hotels.
Most Inspiring Customer Success Stories
● HZDR Guesthouse revolutionized their academic stays with HotelFriend, modernizing operations and enhancing the guest experience.
● Sankt Georgen Graduate School optimized campus life by implementing multi-department tools for efficient management.
● Köln-Düsseldorf’s fleet combined hospitality with events on the water, managing over 1,000 rooms and boosting ticket sales.
● Peter’s Resort saw a 95% boost in efficiency after switching to our cloud PMS, streamlining its operations.
We’re looking forward to a new year filled with growth, innovation, and continued success for HotelFriend and its extended family.
Denis Severyuk
The journey from vision to reality doesn't stop here.
It's just the beginning of yet another ambitious chapter.
