A Scottish tech firm has broken into North American and African markets, after cementing a deal with the leisure group founded by former Dragons' Den judge Duncan Bannatyne.
Hotel property management software company Hop was founded in 2017 by Highlands-based hoteliers Richard Drummond and Jon Erasmus, alongside developer Ronald Tweedie.
The trio build the platform out of frustration at expensive, outdated systems, creating single point which could handle bookings, multi-system payments, orders and check-ins.
Now, after penning a contract with five English hotels in the Bannatyne leisure portfolio, the company is celebrating new business in Florida and Nigeria, with a deal also closed in Barbados.
Hop already has a significant market share in Scotland, with software operational in 65 hospitality venues.
“We have a good presence and foundation in Scotland, which is probably because we have over 40 years of experience running our own hotels here,” said co-founder Drummond, who also runs McKays Hotel, Restaurant and Bar in Pitlochry. “That gives us a ground-up, daily insight into the Scottish and UK sector and we are keen to continually build on that, with the knowledge we have.”
Erasmus, who also owns the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness, commented: “Securing the Bannatyne contract was really important for us, as a business, while the international deals take things to a new level.
“We are in a crowded market but our customers tell us our product represents the type of functionality they want for their money, which is crucial in a time of rising costs across the hospitality sector because people are looking for value.
“Like all businesses, Covid-19 was a challenge for us, but the aim now is to effectively double the size of the business in the next few years.”
Hop’s Florida tie-up sees the business provide solutions for Skyborne Aviation, which operates a 314-room campus hotel as part of an airline training academy at Vero Beach.
The company is also providing systems for CheckInn, which is a multi-property organisation based in Nigeria.
Another partnership with a holiday complex in Barbados in the Caribbean is due to go live within weeks.
Hop’s Scottish clients include the J&R Group, the three-hotel Isles Hotel Group and the four-hotel Cobbs group in the Highlands and islands.
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