Technology That Is Changing the Hotel Industry

Technology is being constantly updated and we can see that all around us, although one industry that has taken awhile to catch up to speed with implementing new technology is the hotel industry.

Well, that is until recently, when a few hotels worldwide have started using new gadgets and technologies to make like easier for the client and themselves. These new platforms are changing the way hotels are currently being run and the whole outlook of customer service. Hopefully, in a few years we will see these technologies roll out across many hotels in different countries.

 

What technologies are currently available?

An iPad Installed in Each Room

The latest form of technology entering the hotel industry is the iPad, this technology has the entire hotel at your finger tips, and these are the wonderful features:

• You have direct access to asking the concierge questions
• You can order room service by placing your order on the iPad
• You can make use of discounts offered on the Ipad and book a restaurant or massage
• You can request housekeeping
• Schedule appointments
• Adjust the temperature of the room from you bed
• Put an alarm on to make sure you wake up on time
• You can view all the hotels amenities’ and events for the day
• Plan your trip and make your bookings all at once

It won’t be long until the iPad is just as common as the television and a bar fridge!

 

An iPhone Installed In Each Room

Another option is to replace the old phones within the hotel room with the latest iPhone, which will also cater for all the above mentioned for the iPad. Clients will be able to take the phone out with them for the day and make calls as well as browse the internet and keep connected to the hotel at all times; this is especially helpful for overseas travelers.
Other things it will replace:

• It will become the room key – with a simple application installed a client can simply open the door with a touch of a button.
• It will replace phones within the hotel – this will avoid people paying international roaming fees.
• It will be your direct access to the concierge – this means making a booking for a restaurant , organizing housekeeping  etc. is a lot quicker and will avoid mistakes.

 

Customized Mobile Application

Applications are being created specific to hotels, for example some hotels may want an app that can be downloaded by the client that is only for a customer loyalty program or specifically for discounts throughout the year. These are smaller applications that some hotels can start off with.

 

What this means for hotels?

Hotels to bring out these new technologies are gaining a large share of media coverage within their countries; they are seen as innovators and leaders in the industry. They are attracting a certain type of consumer that is almost expecting these sorts of gadgets, most business people traveling today are technological equipment and would be very pleasing to them to see such innovation.

Hotels can easily develop an app that is specific to their clients and their brand, personalization means a lot today. There have been tests done that prove that these mobile application are increasing the number of bookings into hotels, certain hotels have said that they never saw a huge number of people downloading the application, but for those they had they saw a big conversions.

     Nicole

About the Guest Author:

Nicole enjoys writing about the hotel industry and has a particular passion for the luxury hotel accommodation industry.