Human hospitality transcends boundaries, nationalities, races, and communities and hotels are standing odes to this beautiful practice. In every era, they have represented the best of technology, comfort, amenities and taste that a culture has to offer. And as the world is currently grappling with COVID-19 challenges, they are navigating the way to a safer lifestyle through smart integration of advanced technologies.
In this blog, we are discussing hospitality technology trends and how the hospitality sector is staying afloat in a pandemic prone world by reinventing its age-old practices and norms.
Hospitality Technology Trends:
1. Smart Hotel Rooms:
Gone are the times when people craved to spend days within four walls of their homes. They have been in so much that now they just want to break out of it. Even getting a room in a hotel for a few days sounds better for a change.
Hotels are working to help people break the monotony of their homes with smart rooms. These rooms obey the will of their owner and help them stay focused on the most important things. Aloft Cupertino, Hotel, and Hub by Premier Inn are some of the top options in this niche. Here you can enjoy smart tools like Concierge video chats
- Smart mirrors
- Wireless charging
- Facial recognition
- Voice control
- Tablet-monitoring
- Digital controls
2. IoT
The Internet of Things or IoT allows the connection of various digital devices to a single central source. It means the customer can control various hotel room gadgets, key cards, and room settings from a tablet or smartphone.
IoT paves the way to better personalization of services as the guest gets to keep control of all features of their room through a single device. As for the hotel, the same technology can be used to ensure a seamless experience for the client and quick identification and resolution of issues before they turn into a major problem.
3. Virtual Reality Tours:
Virtual Reality tour is among the hottest hospitality technology trends. According to an eMarketer report, the U.S. alone has over 59 million VR users. Hotels like NH Hotels and Shangri-La are already providing VT tours to their customers where they can experience the virtually recreated accommodations, hotel amenities, and best attractions near the hotel.
The feature speeds up the decision process as the VR headset user can compare the experience offered by different hotels and decide what?s best for them.?
4. Translation Devices:
Hotels need to overcome language barriers in a more effective way. Integration of translation devices into guest services can simplify communication on both ends and earn extra credits to your hotel. The technology can improve the process of checking in, checking out, ordering meals, and buying goods from souvenir shops.
For now, it is among the latest trends and technologies in the hospitality industry but soon it will turn into a mandatory practice for hotels across the globe. If you are looking to implement this technology, check out the Subtitles by Waverly Labs. it is a two-sided customer service counter display that combines adaptable hardware technology, machine translation, and speech recognition in one device.?
Relevant Resource: A Seamless Guest Experience for Hotels is Here
5. Cybersecurity:
In the last few years, the hospitality sector experienced some of the worst data breaches. These included premium brands like Hilton, Marriot, and IHG. Most of these breaches stole the most crucial information from the hotel?s database that included clients? payment details and managers? information.
There is a rising demand for apps with strong defences against phishing attacks and human errors. Most hotels are looking for technologies that ensure safe storage of payment information, client details, etc. As work from hotels in catching up as a staycation trend, it is mandatory to invest in stronger security measures that keep your brand reputation intact.
6. Automation:
Automatic check-in, contactless payments, and digital menus are all part of hotel automation. With the ongoing pandemic, such systems aid in the creation of a safer environment for guests where all formalities and securities checks are taken care of with a few clicks.
Chatbots and widgets are also some of the new technology used in hotels as part of the automation process. It can facilitate 24/7 service for guests who need help in the middle of the night, analysis of visitors? preferences, and quick response to difficult queries. The most advanced systems are a combination of ML and AI-based systems that collect and analyses the data at the same time. The result is an enhanced experience for the guest and better time management at both ends.?
7. Cloud-Based Hotel Property Management System (PMS):
It is a key hospitality technology that will soon become part of hospitality sectors across the world. Clouds allow centralized storage of information and give access to every team member as per requirement. Going cloud can easily boost operation efficiency, simplify accessibility, bring down costs, and speed up various property management processes. CRM apps like Cloudbeds PMS, Mews, Clock PMS+, HotelTime, InnRoad, and RoomRaccoon are some of the few that are currently leading this niche. The setup process for these systems is seamless and time-saving. The authorized person gets quick access from any gadget irrespective of time and place.
8. Blockchain Services:
It is rather a very rare new technology used in hotels for now, but the sooner you adopt the better. Cryptocurrency will soon fuse with e-wallet systems across the world as more and more millennials are investing in it. You can easily become a pioneer in this respect by giving your guests an opportunity to pay through cryptocurrency. The Kessler Collection is one of the first US-based luxury hotels to set the trend and more and join in. It is an easy way to position your hotel as a contemporary and futuristic place that keeps up with the changing market trends.
9. Robots:
Robots have a vital role in the facilitation of contactless service. They can easily be used to welcome guests, provide key information, answer basic queries, take care of housekeeping tasks, and improve room service. As the norm of social distancing is not going anywhere in near future, robots may put the biggest safety concern at rest while keeping the business running at all ends. Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Yotel, EMC2, and Aloft are already putting this technology to use, you may not want to stay behind.
10. Energy Saving Appliances:
Along with smart rooms, robots, and blockchain services, hotels can really up their games by adding energy-saving appliances to their rooms. Not only will it be economical for your hotel but will be a feel-good factor for your customers.
