For the past few years, there have been a lot of new technological trends that have made their way into the business industry. In the same way, the hotel industry is using technology to attract its own clients.
Nowadays, millennials and Gen-Z travelers are more interested in staying in a hotel that has technological services such as Wi-Fi and internet coverage.
With the creative discovery of Airbnb and Uber, the hospitality industry is opting for smart technology to enhance their customer experience. Now, one might think by having internet access, they have achieved the standard of smart technology, but it is far from reality.
There are numerous ways that can contribute to the smart technological revolution but there is always room for more.
Technology is a broad term, and it covers almost all the modern gadgets we use in our daily lives. A smartphone plays a vital role in the hotel industry context because most of the smart things you need in a hotel room are associated with it.
Whether it’s about learning how to cancel a timeshare or how booking event tickets online for companies, the role of technology is evident in almost every aspect of travel and business.
Here are 10 ways smart technology is revolutionizing the hotel industry:
1- Hotel Mobile Apps: The time when one has to personally visit the hotel and book for themselves or their guests are long gone.
Now people don’t want to wait at the reception desk because no one has enough time to spare. They can book themselves or for their guests via smartphone apps remotely.
Today, almost every hotel has its own online booking system, website, or mobile app where people can get hotel information and book instantly. It is really advantageous for hotel management and for customers.
2- Smart Energy Management: Hotels have opted for smart energy management systems that have smart thermostats and occupancy sensors.
These sensors detect and monitor the temperature, local weather patterns, and energy demand optimization in all weather conditions.
The sensors can automatically adjust to the required temperature, light, air quality, and other things that ultimately save energy.
This smart energy management system is really expensive, but it has proven to reduce 10 to 20 percent of energy consumption.
These types of things attract high-end customers who love to spend on luxury living. Having a few high-end clients every year can boost your hotel’s reputation for many years to come.
3- Predictive Maintenance: Just as the smart energy management systems maintain the temperature, light, air quality to save energy, predictive maintenance allows the hotels and resorts to predict the life expectancy of various items installed in the hotel.
This way, a hotel can take action early to save its reputation rather than embarrassment in front of guests. Predictive maintenance is long and can be done after gathering data on multiple occasions.
4- Big data: Using any online management system or software means you are getting a big chunk of data.
The data can be used for multiple purposes. The smart thing is to analyze this data with your goals to boost better user experience and business.
You cannot offer better customer service to your guest if there is no guest. So first thing first, make an attractive offer through the mainstream media.
Make the offer that one can’t refuse. Add a few perks, highlight the advantages, and then offer discounts. When you start getting customers, try to optimize their needs because adapting is the key to survival in these tough times.
Make sure you keep the data safe because there have been incidents of a data breach that has done damage to the hotel’s reputation.
5- Self-Check-ins: When people reach their hotel, they don’t need to check-in at the hotel receptionist desk every time they come and go. They can do the self-check-ins with the help of their smartphone. With hotel mobile apps, you can have access to other amenities.
6- Mobile Room Key: The traditional hotel keys are now replaced with RFID mobile room keys.
One of the greatest advantages of having a mobile key is that you don’t have to carry a bunch of keys.
They have a way of getting lost but not the one that is on your phones. There is another catch of using fewer plastic cards to make the environment green with mobile room keys. If your hotel has opted for this, their business is already winning by fulfilling corporate responsibility.
7- Room Service: There is no need to call the hotel reception for any room service because the hotel management will send a menu on your phone via an app. You can decide which service you want to take.
Also, when you are inside the room, you will be sent push notifications on your phone through smart occupancy sensors.
So, whether it is your tailor fitting, or anything else, schedule it at your own convenient time. You will also get notifications based on your previous orders.
8- Reserved Parking: If you have your own wheels and you choose to stay in a hotel, there has been reserved parking for you.
Smart sensors and maps on your phone can lead to your reserved parking spot without any hustle. The mobile apps will automatically send the notification to the hotel management ahead of your visit and by the time you reach there; your parking spot will be available for your car.
Even if you are not a frequent visitor and need a space to park your car, you will be given a spot in just a matter of a few minutes.
Technology is fast-paced, and the spots will be available on the dashboard of the parking lot the second a car leaves.
9- Online Reviews: Despite the common misconception, online reviews on the hotel’s own website or on other platforms help other people.
If the reviews are good, you definitely want to book that hotel but if the reviews are bad, you can browse another hotel nearby.
Reviews can help people decide if the hotel has delivered what a customer had hoped for. It is always better to read the reviews from 3rd party review websites because businesses get paid reviews too.
By reading a few reviews on different websites, you can get an idea of their reputation as well.
10- Smart loyalty programs: Once you have stayed in a hotel and you had a good time there, there is a possibility that you will be given a chance to become a member of a smart loyalty program.
These are also marketing and promotional strategies for hotels and these are going to change the hospitality industry in the coming future.
One should know that good customer experience remains the key to success no matter what your business is. But every hotel should know what their competitive edge is and should work around that for their marketing and promotional campaign.
Conclusion
Some hotels even ask you to leave remarks or suggestions, this is your opportunity to give them honest reviews.
The hotels could use famous bloggers, influencers, and celebrities for promotion or public feedback or a shout out to your hospitality business because people tend to follow the footsteps of their influencers or celebrities.
