Incorporating technology into day-to-day operations is essential to minimize human error, maximize service efficiency and improve the guest experience.
Today’s hospitality industry has adopted many new technologies to streamline business processes and enhance customer satisfaction. These advancements are enabling hotels and resorts to offer a more seamless experience for guests, improving communication, optimizing pricing and revenue management and increasing security.
1. Mobile Check-In
Mobile check-in is a technology that allows guests to complete the check-in process online before arriving at the hotel. This is a great way to improve guest satisfaction and reduce waiting times.
When booking a room, a guest receives a link via email or a smartphone app that they can use to register their documents and payment details. Once they have done this, they receive a personal identification code to unlock their hotel room.
Mobile check-in is an excellent option for hotels during the coronavirus pandemic because it allows guests to submit their documents electronically, reducing the risk of errors and loss of important information. Moreover, it can help hotels comply with COVID-19 pandemic regulations and sanitize the hotel environment.
2. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality technology can digitally transport potential customers to a hotel or travel destination, improving business results. It can also stimulate multiple senses and offer important information in a more interesting and compelling way.
The hospitality industry has traditionally thrived on adding value to the customer experience and constantly capturing new audiences. However, selling a premium hotel room or holiday experience in the increasingly competitive market is becoming more challenging, especially when competition from online travel agents and wholesalers is strong.
To learn more about how technology can help hotels and tourism providers, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Virtual Reality in Travel and Tourism. Leading hospitality companies including Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Holdings and Whitbread have already implemented virtual reality technology.
3. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving technology that can assist businesses in numerous ways. It can streamline processes, provide valuable data intelligence and optimize experiences for guests.
The hospitality industry is no exception to this. Traditionally, hoteliers had to deal with multiple tasks simultaneously including ensuring guest satisfaction, verifying documents thoroughly, providing customer support and responding to inquiries.
AI can help hotels handle these tasks in a more efficient and effective manner, reducing the strain on staff while improving guest satisfaction.
It can also improve a hotel’s reputation and revenue. For example, it can help hotels leverage their data to create personalized upgrades and offers at check-in.
4. Robotic Process Automation
The hospitality industry has a lot of processes that are manual and time-consuming. Robotic process automation can save hotel managers hours of time and help them deliver better service to their guests.
Hotels can use RPA to automate bookings, billing, invoicing, guest check-in and much more. These tools reduce cost and labor costs, enhance revenue management and increase productivity among hotel employees.
In addition to reducing costs, the technology also helps hotel staff focus on higher-value tasks that add value to the company. This can lead to increased employee engagement and retention rates.
Robotic process automation is a growing industry and has the potential to transform travel and hospitality. It can boost efficiency and productivity, reduce errors, and increase customer loyalty.
5. Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a connected network of devices and appliances that can communicate and transfer data. This includes everything from energy meters and refrigerators to vehicles and large machines.
It can increase levels of automation, improve data collection, and allow humans to control multiple devices from a single point of interaction, even when they are far away from them.
In the hospitality industry, this can be applied to a range of aspects, from lighting, heating and cooling to water level detection and leakage monitoring. These applications help reduce energy consumption and minimize costs.
Hotels can also use IoT to predict and schedule maintenance work. This saves money and time and is easier to manage. Additionally, it ensures that the hotel property meets health and safety regulations.
