The use of technology in our everyday lives has become a normal occurrence in this modern era. Technological advancements allow certain activities as well as tasks to be more efficient and exceed intended results. For instance, technology in the hospitality industry significantly helps the industry adapt to transitions and maintain its relevance throughout the years.
Technology developments in the hospitality industry have progressed ever since the in-room telephone technology was first introduced in the Netherlands Hotel in 1894. Innovations in hospitality continue to advance along with hotels’ evolution and have become an inseparable part of their day-to-day operations.
Needless to say, don’t go anywhere because we will discuss the significance of technology and walk you through the latest technology trends therein along with all the challenges of implementing them as well as examples of successful technology implementations in hotels!
Why Technology is Important to the Hospitality Industry
An illustration of various technology innovations.
In this modern era of countless innovations, technology is regarded as essential to all industries, including hospitality and tourism. However, that begs the question of what exactly technology does to be an important aspect of the industry. Hence, below are some of the notable benefits of technology to businesses in the hospitality industry that make its contributions exponential.
1. Technology enhances customer experience
The implementation of technology in hospitality services and amenities can help improve the overall customer experience. For instance, online booking technology makes hotel room reservation services easier for guests, and smart TVs in hotel rooms have accessibility features that add to guest satisfaction.
2. Technology streamlines operations
Nowadays, various hotel operations can be streamlined by technology, such as room reservations by using online booking technology or even guest data management through a hotel management system. Thanks to technology, the staff’s workload becomes reduced as well as more efficient.
3. Technology improves the communication quality
To ensure that guests receive accurate assistance and information, well-managed communication is needed between staff and guests or between different hotel departments. The hospitality technology for communications, such as in-room telephones, can help to improve the quality of communication within the hotel and the guest experience.
4. Technology increases revenue rates
By using technology, hotels are able to optimize room pricing and revenue management, as well as identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling. These actions can help to increase the hotel’s revenue rates, resulting in higher income.
5. Technology upgrades the security level
Thanks to technology, guests don’t need to worry when it comes to their security in hotels. Technologies have improved security levels at hotels through innovations like electronic keycard systems to control hotel rooms and area access or security cameras to monitor activities.
Latest Game-Changing Tech Trends in the Hospitality Industry
Many technological innovations in the hospitality industry have resulted in technology trends that gained popularity in recent years Here, we will cover the top and latest hospitality technology trends that are currently in the spotlight.
Internet of Things (IoT)
An illustration of Internet of Things (IOT).
The internet can connect everything and everyone while it also knows better by extending internet connectivity to everyday devices. This process enables devices to collect data and interact with users, turning them into smart devices. In the hospitality industry, IoT can be found in innovations such as smart TVs in guest rooms and hotels’ wireless doorbell cameras.
Cashless Payments
Cashless payment technology.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, cashless payment technology has taken the industry by storm. The technology offers many advantages, including a fast payment process and compatibility with loyalty programs. In addition, the lesser amount of human-to-human contact in this technology makes it more preferable nowadays, as human-to-human contact was one of the triggers for the virus’ spread.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
An illustration depicting artificial intelligence (AI).
Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, is one of the technologies that is trending in many industries aside from hospitality. Artificial intelligence use in the hospitality industry itself has been optimized to assist hotel staff in their day-to-day operations. A great example is AI-powered chatbots that are integrated with the hotel’s app or website where they can respond to guests’ inquiries, making it easier for staff to focus on other tasks and reduce their workloads.
Cybersecurity
Illustration of Cybersecurity.
Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, is one of the technologies that is trending in many industries aside from hospitality. Artificial intelligence use in the hospitality industry itself has been optimized to assist hotel staff in their day-to-day operations. A great example is AI-powered chatbots that are integrated with the hotel’s app or website where they can respond to guests’ inquiries, making it easier for staff to focus on other tasks and reduce their workloads.
Mobile Apps
Mobile apps illustration.
Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, is one of the technologies that is trending in many industries aside from hospitality. Artificial intelligence use in the hospitality industry itself has been optimized to assist hotel staff in their day-to-day operations. A great example is AI-powered chatbots that are integrated with the hotel’s app or website where they can respond to guests’ inquiries, making it easier for staff to focus on other tasks and reduce their workloads.
Hospitality Technology Challenges
Great technological development in the hospitality industry inevitably comes with great challenges too. As long as technology continues to advance and the hospitality industry constantly adapts to every situation, there is no doubt that any challenge can be overcome. Regardless, we have listed some of the challenges in hospitality technology to share insights with you!
- The project management;
- The process of implementing and integrating the technology;
- Support and service of the software or technology;
- Creating a true partnership with the software provider;
- The flexibility in providing both cloud and on-premise solutions.
Sophisticated Hotels and Their High-Tech Implementation
High-technology innovations that might sound like science fiction movies have also been implemented and integrated into the services of these sophisticated hotels! Such top-notch technologies add to the appeal of these hotels, enticing more guests to stay and surely increasing their revenue. Here are a few of the high-tech hotels worldwide that will both entertain and enlighten you!
The NH Hotel in Berlin, Germany
The interior of NH Hotel in Berlin. (via Smart Meetings)
Regarded as every business traveler’s dream, the NH Hotel provides holographic technology to guests that shows 3D image projections of meeting attendees and work presentations! Other hotels from the NH Hotel chain in Milan and Barcelona are known to utilize this technology as well.
The Yotel in New York, United States
The inside of the Yotel in New York. (via Smart Meetings)
From advanced kiosk check-ins to motion-sensor air conditioning, the Yotel offers a savvy staying experience for its guests! The hotel also implemented a robot service in their operations, known as YOBOT. The YOBOT stores the luggage in locked bins, which can later be retrieved using a special pin code and the guest’s last name!
The Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo, Japan
The Peninsula hotel in Tokyo, Japan. (via Smart Meetings)
Located in Tokyo, the Peninsula is known for its high-tech room amenities, which range from unlimited internet radio with over 3,000 stations to Skype-compatible wireless phones and even mood lighting pads. The hotel also provides a digitally interactive Pokémon hunt, which is an amenity for the kid-friendly game.
Blow Up Hall 5050 in Poznań, Poland
Blow Up Hall 5050 hotel in Poland. (via Uniq Hotels)
A hotel, restaurant, bar, and also a place for various digital art installations, the Blow Up Hall 5050 offers 22 guest rooms and event spaces with a 700-person capacity. Here, guests access their assigned rooms through a digital key sent to an iPhone provided by the hotel for staying guests, which makes the check-in process more efficient and sophisticated!
Hotel 1000 in Washington, United States
A guest room in Hotel 1000 in Washington, USA. (via Smart Meetings)
Using a fully converged IP infrastructure, the Hotel 1000 in Washington is able to provide customization services to further its guest experience. With the technology, guests have the option to choose room temperatures, artwork, and music as they wish. In addition, the Hotel 1000 even provides Microsoft Surface tablets in each guest room, touchscreen VoIP phones, and even a virtually simulated golf room!
Wrapping Up
The hospitality industry continues to evolve along with its technological developments despite challenges that come and go. Through the implementation of technology, businesses in the industry are able to operate efficiently, increase revenue, and provide a positive experience for their customers. Hence, staying up-to-date on the latest tech trends is a must for the hospitality industry and its professionals to remain competitive and keep providing exceptional service for the best of customers’ experiences.
Working in the hospitality sector, especially in its information and technology (IT) section, is challenging yet rewarding at the same time. Opportunities in this field lay open within the hospitality industry, which you can also find through RMC Asia.
Since 2014, RMC Asia has been partnering with 5-star hotels and resorts in Asia to provide internships and management training programs, with IT being one of the hotel departments available. Our program participants will gain access to hospitality expertise through practical work experience with industry experts and enjoy unforgettable cultural exchanges in our program destinations!
Let’s embark on your IT career in the hospitality industry by joining us and other successful participants now!
Recommended: The 100-Year Timeline of Hotel History
