There isn’t a field, sector, or domain that hasn’t been touched by technology. Contemporary times are technology-abundant, thanks to a pandemic. The hospitality sector is no different. It is exploring and undertaking technological advancements. With all eyes on hotel technology trends, something out of the ordinary can be expected as we step into a new year.
With an influx of travelers after a significant gap, comes heightened hopes and changed outlooks. To meet the expectations, hotels are inspired to transform guest engagement and experience. Hence, the hospitality industry is transitioning from conventional, manual operational processes to modern, technology-driven services, strategies, and practices. The benefits of technology in the hotel industry are enormous and exceptional. Therefore, you should not be late for the party.
This blog lists down the technology trends in the hospitality industry to look forward to and implement. These would help hotels to cut down on operational costs, increase the effectiveness and levels of their services, and earn loyal guests.
Technology is vast in its branches and scope. One such branch is immersive technology. It blends the digital world with the real one. It is capable of blowing your mind and senses, alike. Different forms of immersive technology can enhance the guest experience.
How amazing would it be if guests could digitally explore the whole property, from the comforts of their home? Virtual reality tours and 360° videos are easily viewed on the preferred screen. Moreover, they allow guests to experience a property before booking it. They know what to expect. It is a great hotel technology trends that would transform the way guests book hotels.
Augmented reality is another very useful hotel technology tool. It aims at elevating end-user experience through devices like smartphones and tablets. With augmented reality technology, hotels could offer in-house interactive components such as maps and points of interest. Furthermore, it allows hotels to provide guests with a digital history of the property along with relevant information about their surroundings. For example, if a guest is near any restaurant situated at the property, he/she would get a notification about the same with a menu.
Metaverse is what one means when they say the word futuristic. Metaverse hotels are the potential future of the hospitality industry. It offers the ultimate guest experience. This is provided over and above virtual reality experience. With the latter, guests can take a tour and connect virtually with the hotel. With metaverse, this experience could be enhanced with an avatar. Guests can create an avatar and could take a virtual walkthrough before booking, have virtual celebrations, and much more.
With gadgets/ concepts like Alexa and Siri growing and catching attention, voice searches could be used to ease things for guests. Dedicated voice-activated applications could be used to book reservations. Moreover, they can be used to contact a hotel. With relatively detailed and quick answers, hands-free voice-driven applications are the way to go.
This is another useful technology trend that hotels need to follow in the years ahead. A Statista report says that 27% of business travelers would prefer to use self-check-in and check-out kiosks if provided by hotels. Going paperless and contactless with the check-in smoothens the check-in process for the guests. And hence, gives a perfect start and end to their luxurious stay journey.
Furthermore, according to a World Economic Forum report, over 80% of global consumers say that they favor sustainable business and this affects where they spend their money. With paperless check-in, you are undertaking sustainable practices.
Another, much-required technology trend for the hospitality industry is contactless payments. Using wireless technology to complete transactions saves time. In the wake of a pandemic, guests are often reluctant to touch or come in contact with keypads or staff. Contactless payments also solve this issue. Hence, contactless cards, mobile wallets, and UPI could be used to pay without hassle and contact. Additionally, digital cashless tipping applications allow guests to leave tips via credit cards or other digital payment methods and could be of great use in hotels.
Furthermore, hotels could also collect payments pre-arrival, save some time, and effort at the front desk. Consider using eFront Desk to collect full or partial payment at the time of booking itself.
Guests are the most comfortable in their rooms. Hence, enhancing guest experience there matters the most. With in-room technologies, hotels transfer control to guests. They can set or fix the room temperature, and lighting according to their needs. Furthermore, guests can use voice control to tell their smart room to run a bath and order dinner from room service. Favorite shows/movies could be streamed through a remote or smartphone. Guests could thus, decide the ambiance and emotion of their room according to their whims.
Facial recognition applications could also be used to ensure security and privacy. Energy-efficient appliances/ gadgets could be installed to operate sustainably. Hotels could have digital card keys or go keyless through smartphones. All this could be done with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Chatbots are Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered. These AI conversational bots are smart, empathetic, and fast with their responses. From direct bookings to swiftly answering all guest questions all day and night, chatbots ensure live and smooth guest communication. Multilingual to cater to diversity, chatbots offer a comprehensive guest experience. Nowadays, they are also being deployed on social media and communication media platforms. Read detailed information on chatbots in hospitality industry.
With Freddie, you can maintain continuous communication with your guests. Its multilingual nature ensures that you are catering to guests from different parts of the country and world.
Robots are a technology that is evolving in leaps and bounds. Already in use by some hotels to welcome guests upon arrival, and provide tourist information around the clock, their use is expanding far beyond. They are capable of so much more. They have the potential to assist with activities like room services and housekeeping. Moreover, living in post-pandemic times, robots are a great way to avoid contact and ensure social distancing. Some hotels utilize them for luggage transportation and security, among other services.
Robots are the future of many industries, hospitality included. They can lessen human workload by just operating through artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Hotel Automation simplifies processes for guests. Allow guests to use their smartphones to book from their rooms or make prior reservations for your culinary offerings, leisure indulgences, or art/culture happenings.
The Technology could be used to create and collect digital feedback and surveys. Pre-arrival surveys could help you to know your guests and customize services accordingly. During stay surveys could help you to understand their present needs. While post-stay feedback could help you to better your services. Check out Heda for such digital survey and feedback services.
Internet speed is of utmost importance in this digital world. The emerging Wifi 6 technology, a new iteration of Wifi, would help guests and staff, alike. It is about 30% faster than the existing Wifi. Hotels can leverage faster WiFi to power all those streaming smartphones, tablets, and voice-activated devices. With faster speed and more efficient connection, it could further enhance user experience.
Data privacy is important for every business. Cybersecurity tools are the most important for the hospitality sector. They are at high risk of running into cybersecurity problems. Ranging from loss of customer data to more malicious threats, hotels could be targeted in multiple ways.
With employees working remotely or from home, additional security risk arises that need to be looked into. Using the right cybersecurity tools is therefore an indispensable practice for hotels. Data security is non-negotiable.
With thousands of guests being served monthly, big data is the most viable smart hotel technology trends hotels can follow. It is a large collection of data collected by businesses from consumers. Thereafter, it is used to study customer behavior. Eventually, more informed and strategic business decisions are made based on the analysis.
Hotels are evolving with time. With smart hotel technologies, guests would experience something unconventional and great. With less effort, hotels would be able to offer more and serve better. Technology in the hospitality industry has been transforming not only services but also emotions. Booking a room, and availing services is no longer a tedious task. Just a click and everything is sorted. Moreover, they are doing all of it responsibly. With data protection and sustainable practices, hotels make sure that you are safe and making woke choices.