Technology has come a long way, and the hotel industry is constantly evolving to keep up with an increasingly digitalized economy. Over the past couple of decades, technological advancements have drastically improved how hotels operate, from surface-level changes like how guests make payments to deeper-level changes like smarter energy management. Many Pasay hotels, for example, have adapted contactless payment technologies in light of the pandemic.
These technological advancements have significantly improved the way hotel employees do business and enhanced the overall experience for customers. Read on below to learn more about the many ways technology has improved the hotel industry.
Online Booking
The global switch to online booking is one of the most palpable technological improvements in the hotel industry. With the internet on the rise, travelers may now book hotels through their laptops or even their mobile phones or tablets.
Online booking systems, like those used for booking Kabayan Hotel’s rooms, have become more and more efficient, allowing hoteliers to stay on top of their properties and enhance their occupancy rates. Such systems also make it possible for travelers to plan their trips weeks or even months in advance, allowing hoteliers to manage their inventory effectively.
Mobile Check-Ins
Due to the pandemic, many hotels across the globe have begun to adopt mobile check-in technologies, and these technologies are likely to stay on even post-pandemic. Through mobile check-in technology, guests can conveniently complete the check-in process on their mobile phones before arriving at their hotels. As such, they can skip long lines at the front desk and head straight to their room upon arrival, using only their mobile device as their room key.
Robotics
Some of the world’s most cutting-edge hotels now employ robots in several hotel sectors, including housekeeping, beverage, food, and security. Because of their ability to automate complex tasks, robots can save time and reduce costs. Robotic valets, for instance, can park vehicles for guests, while robot concierges can answer questions about hotel services.
In most cases, robots do not require breaks and can work nonstop when needed, enabling them to cover additional shifts while freeing up human workers for other (typically customer-facing) jobs.
AI and Chatbots
Providing information and answering queries is one of a hotel’s most time-consuming tasks. Luckily, today’s chatbots and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are powerful enough to offer personalized and almost human-like interactions with guests.
Many hotels worldwide now use chatbots to offer guests recommendations and handle customer queries. In addition, hoteliers can use AI systems to analyze guest data and gather insights to help them improve their marketing and operations.
Smart Technology
Smart technology can self-analyze, self-monitor, and offer insights from collected data. Hotels now use smart technology in several ways, from marketing and operations to energy consumption and maintenance.
For instance, many hotels use smart technology to avoid overconsumption of energy and to reduce their carbon footprint. Energy saving is done through occupancy sensors, smart thermostats, and smart energy management systems that utilize machine learning algorithms.
Virtual Reality Tours
To give guests an idea of what the hotel offers long before they visit, the former can take virtual tours of hotel rooms and facilities before booking. These tours are often made available on the hotel’s website as an additional visual accompaniment to galleries and photos.
While virtual reality tours are best viewed with VR headsets, several technologies—like Facebook’s 360 video technology, for example—allow virtual tours from any mobile phone or computer.
In-Room Technology
In-room technology has massively improved how guests experience their stay in hotels. Guests can control lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems via their mobile phones. Many hotels now also have smart TVs in their rooms, allowing guests to stream their favorite movies and shows directly from their mobile phones, laptops, or internet-based streaming service.
With today’s advancements in in-room technology, hoteliers can better offer their guests a more convenient and personalized experience with all the perks built in.
Keyless Room Entry
Keyless room entry is one of the niftiest technological innovations in today’s hotel industry. With keyless entry systems, guests can use their mobile phones as digital keys for room entry. This, in turn, eliminates the need for physical keys, reduces the risk of lost keys, and removes the need for harmful plastic keycards. Keyless entry systems also provide hotels with improved security, as they can help monitor who enters and leaves the property.
Reputation Management
Over the years, more and more advanced reputation management tools have been built to offer hoteliers valuable insights into how their properties fare with their guests. These platforms help hoteliers monitor and manage online reviews while being able to use the feedback they collect to improve their services and operations.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that technology has dramatically impacted the hotel industry, and that cutting-edge technological innovations have made it easier for hoteliers to oversee their properties and provide guests with a better and more personalized hospitality experience.
With the rise of technologies like chatbots, AI, and robotics, the hotel industry is poised for an even more drastic transformation over the next few years. As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, it’s on hoteliers to be resourceful about how they can modernize their establishments—all while keeping the same timeless charm and hospitality that drew past customers to their doors in the first place.
