Hong-Kong-based hospitality technology firm, Tink Labs Limited has appointed a GCC management team to drive the roll-out of its mobile travel solution, Handy, across the region.
Handy is a smartphone provided as a complimentary amenity in partner hotel rooms, integrating with hotel services and offering travellers unlimited connectivity on the go, free of charge international calls and tailored travel guides.
Sverre Christiansen, general manager – GCC for Tink Labs Limited, said: “Handy offers hotels an innovative solution for not only helping their guests discover a destination, but also for extending their in-house marketing and concierge facilities via an easy-to-use smartphone.
“Handy helps to connect travellers with their destination by revealing tailored city guide information, discounts and promotions, and pre-installed mobile applications, while allowing visitors to remain in contact with their hotel and personal network at all times. I’m delighted to be part of the dynamic team responsbile for expanding this exciting innovation across the GCC.”
With the support of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Tink Labs has already delivered a pilot project in Dubai in association with Fairmont The Palm, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai and Dusit Thani Dubai.
Christiansen added: “Furthermore, Tink Labs has partnered with du, the UAE’s integrated telecommunications service provider, with the aim of giving visitors to Dubai connectivity anywhere in the UAE – for free.
“To begin with, we will be targeting select four- and five-star hotels in Dubai and we are also in talks with potential partners in Saudi Arabia. We aim to be live with handy in 50,000 hotel rooms across the GCC by 2018.”
Christiansen is joined by two senior sales managers – GCC, Rashi Srivastava and Salha Soussi.
The new UAE-based team is overseen by Tink Labs Limited managing director, Jean-Pierre Aramouni, who is based in Hong Kong and responsible for spearheading handy launch operations in new markets.
Aramouni commented: “Since unveiling Handy in the GCC in March 2017, I have been working hard to recruit a team to drive the growth of our innovative product. Sverre, Rashi, Salha and Sharif bring highly sought-after expertise to Tink Labs, with experience not only in business development, strategy, client relations and technology for leading tourism companies, but also extensive knowledge of the business environment in this region. I’m thrilled to welcome them on board as we enter our next phase of growth, following a successful launch with DTCM and du at Arabian Travel Market in April.”
According to research from Tink Labs, Handy extends the hotel services footprint and delivers an average of US$17 of incremental revenue per room per night to hotels.
The company said that Handy also increases TripAdvisor ratings by an average of 0.31, which translates to a 3.4% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR).
Handy is available in selected properties of hotel brands including Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental and Sheraton in 30 cities and 200,000 rooms.
Tink Labs raised US$125 million in its latest round of funding to expand globally, with investors including FIH Mobile, Sinovation Ventures and Cai Wensheng.
