For many years, hotels and motels did not have to do much to keep the guests coming in. It was a given that travelers needed a place to rest their heads, but things have changed dramatically in recent years. More people are looking at alternative options, and the hospitality industry is working to compete with these newer options, and it is doing so by embracing technology. Read on to learn about some new technologies that are changing hospitality.
Contactless Technology
The hospitality industry is making things easier on guests by allowing them to check into their rooms without needing to interact with a hotel attendant. Many travelers come in during the late hours of the night, and the last thing they want to do before getting into their room is talk to an attendant and go through paperwork. Many hotels now have self-check-ins, in-room technology, mobile keys, and digital payments, so the guests never have to do anything they don’t want to. Some hotels have even begun developing robot receptionists, facial scan check-ins, and robot delivery systems, taking human contact out of the equation.
Cloud Computing
One technology that more and more hotels are incorporating is cloud computing. Industries are continually looking for newer ways to optimize their day-to-day operations, and the cloud is one of the best. Cloud computing offers many advantages in hospitality, ranging from improved guest experience to smart energy management. For example, the cloud and internet of things (IoT) technology create a way to monitor when people need appliances. Doing this makes it possible to give guests services when required, and they can save energy when the appliances are not in use.
More Connected Staff
Another way technology is changing the hospitality industry is through the staff. Hotels use contactless technology to reduce interaction between receptionists and guests, but this technology is also helpful for the staff. With strong wireless technology, hotel staff can go around the building while maintaining a connection to other employees. For example, housekeeping staff can do their regular sweep of rooms, and then someone can alert them if there is an emergency in a room elsewhere. A guest could also request additional towels or shampoo, and the staff would know immediately, ensuring that the guest gets what they need without delay.
Newer technologies are revolutionizing hospitality, and there will likely be even more changes in the next few years as they adapt to recent consumer trends. The pandemic changed a lot about how people travel and where they choose to stay, and it will still take a little bit for the hospitality industry to adapt to these changes entirely.
