It is very important to be up-to-date with the most modern technology or trends that are running and rising in the hospitality sector. It is a very competitive industry - what would happen if hospitality loses the “human touch”?
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.”— Sir Arthur C. Clarke
In this article you can find out how some of the latest innovations work and how the this cutting edge technology contributes to an enhanced customer experience in hospitality.
Recognition Technology
In particular, bio-metrics has been used to usher in a new age of seamless authentications, and this could benefit hotel processes and customer purchases. For example, in your hotel, you would use your fingerprint to unlock your room. Now this could change and simplify the check-in and checkout processes in so many hotels.
Facial recognition in China Marriott is one of the most famous recognition technology experienced by the world.
Robots
Now, imagine a hotel with no people but robots who look exactly like a human being to greet you and check you in. Doesn’t it sound exciting? One such model of a robot is seen at the Berlin travel fair. Perhaps the most famous example of this is the Hilton robot concierge ‘Connie’, which uses speech recognition and AI to respond to queries from customers and intelligently learn from interactions. The Flyzoo Hotel in China, makes use of such robots for all kinds of things that a typical employee would do. F.e. check-in the new customers or serving breakfast. This has led to a completely different type of tourism sector: Robotic Tourism. Wouldn’t you want to try it too?
Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence
The use of chatbots is still evolving in the tourism industry, however, it seems to be trending in a lot of top notch hotels. Today, the artificial intelligence has taken a big jump on the industry and it is flourishing with time. Hotels use chatbots with the help of Facebook Messenger, WeTalk, Google Assisstant and more. The chatbot acts as an assisstant to the front office and reception but it cannot answer all questions that the customers might have. Have you heard of Bebot? Bebot is a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence that acts as a hotel concierge. Aren't you curious to know how will chatbots help hotels to function better?
Internet of Things
Internet of things also known as IoT, involves extending internet connectivity to everyday objects, devices and appliances. These devices collect data and communicate over the internet, turning previously unintelligent devices into ‘smart’ devices, which are often semi or fully autonomous. This could make hotel room appliances easy to function. For example, you could switch off or on the lights in your room, or control the room temperature in your room and much more.
Big Data
Big Data helps in identifying the latest trends, which would be suitable for your business as a hotelier based on your previous searches to have more personalized experiences. The data supports travel agents to make intelligent destination recommendations, based on age, gender, budget, previous locations visited, and so on. This would help in planning price strategies and data planning in order to make a healthy revenue. Could you analyze the Big Data?
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is so effective in the hotel industry as it can be used anywhere from the destination that you choose to travel or securing a booking online. As an example it allows the customers to view and experience your hotel or your room category in a 360-degree angle. It provides a virtual experience of local attractions, while VR headsets are used for entertainment purposes in hotels. Check out the world’s first Virtual Reality travel search and booking experience.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is about enhancing the real-world environment through the information that is already at hand. It multiplies the effects but requires much more than a smart-phone and an internet connectivity. Imagine if your hotel provided AR-compatible wall maps, where customers can point their phone at the map and find out information about specific locations. What does the future hold for hoteliers? Invent the future with EHL's personalized travel.
