Table of Contents
Table of contents
- How Is The Hotel Industry Digitally Transforming
- VR and Hospitality Industry
Over the past decades, digital technology has evolved immensely and so has everything associated with it. The hotel industry is no different. Some game-changing digital advancements are now used in the hotel industry to enhance customer experience and make businesses more profitable. From marketing tools to customer service, digital transformation has taken over every aspect of the industry.
The COVID situation has also created a great need for the incorporation of digital alternatives in the industry. People have adopted all types of online, cloud-based and AI-based alternatives in their lives in order to adapt to the pandemic. Let’s take a look at how the hotel industry has adapted to the age of digitalization, especially during the pandemic.
How Is The Hotel Industry Digitally Transforming
All digital trends in major industries like education, hotel, and travel require one thing to be readily available: internet service. Without it, getting things done digitally is impossible. People are utilizing excellent internet connections and fast fiber internet speeds at offices, homes, schools and hospitals. US has some of the best internet service providers, such as award-winning and well reputed AT&T home internet services that offer convenience and modernity to all households. Similarly, hotels also provide advanced tech-based services to their users with free Wi-Fi to their customers to make them feel at home.
Here are some of the key trends in the hotel industry.
Voice control
When voice control was introduced and virtual assistants became readily available, we thought this was the height of technology. However, that is not the limit and technology is still advancing to make voice control more efficient day by day. Hotels use voice control technology to keep up with the trends of smart homes where people are using more of this technology in their routine life. Voice assistants like Alexa and Siri have given people more control of their homes and all smart devices with only using their voice. Consequently, the hospitality industry has also incorporated this tech in their services. They have started to employ security systems, smart kitchen appliances, and even added voice controlled devices in rooms for guests.
Another way hotels are using voice control and search in their services is by adding the voice search feature on their websites and mobile apps. As a result, customers can quickly ask queries, find room availability and check booking details within a matter of minutes.
Mobile apps
Customers these days hate uncertainty and wait time. Faster and instant alternatives, mobile apps have replaced old methods of hotel bookings and inquiry. Hotels now have their own mobile applications that customers can use to check their booking details, make or cancel bookings, check availability and even get in touch with a hotel’s representative.
These apps are also incredibly useful for tourists and first-time visitors who need directions on Google maps, and even get a digital hotel map. Mobile key cards, scheduling activities like food, spas and car rentals can also be done via these apps. Mobile applications can also be developed in various foreign languages. Therefore, visitors and tourists can choose their own language and have an immersive experience with the app and with the hotel too.
An interesting point to note here is that mobile apps for hotels are not only limited to providing good customer experience. They are also an excellent tools for providing a hotel necessary data about their guests for marketing purposes. These apps take up valuable data such as the background of users and their preferences, search history and so on. Hotels can then use this information to send occasional discount and offer alerts, personalized messages, consequently enhancing the customer experience.
Moreover, digital applications are a lot more efficient in gathering relevant data about the guests and running a quick background check for security purposes. With cloud-based storage systems, hotels can stalk up information about a large number of their past and present guests for security purposes.
Automated rooms
All businesses are consistently looking for ways to cut down on labor costs. Smart or automated rooms allow just that. By using smart devices like smart locks, video cameras, facial recognition and smart entertainment devices, hotels have to make a one-time investment in these gadgets and bear fruit for a long period.
Guests also feel luxurious and special when they see that their rooms are equipped with such advanced tech. The use of smart locks and security systems also gives guests a sense of safety and peace during their stay. As a result, hotels can save a lot of time and energy with automated rooms and also create some loyal customers.
Robots
Speaking of cutting labor costs, we cannot help but mention robots that have taken over our cleaning and daily tasks. You will be surprised to see that there are hotels around the world that are already replacing their human-workforce with robots for front desk jobs and hotel security. A Japanese robot-hotel called the Henn-na Hotel is famous for using robots at the front desk and facial recognition technology as a replacement to card keys.
Furthermore, there are now highly intelligent AI-based robot vacuums readily available to do all cleaning tasks. These robots are equipped with features like ramp detectors and LED lighting to illuminate dark surfaces. They also have features like setting schedules for timers, so a hotel can set a particular time for cleaning to match with its guests’ preferences. Advanced vacuums come with a 2-in-1 functionality that can mop, sweep and clean carpeted floors, hardwood, tiles and marble floors too.
VR and Hospitality Industry
VR or virtual reality is perhaps the latest and most impactful digital trend in the hospitality industry. Hotels are using VR as a means of a digital or virtual tour, so their customers can avail the tour and see what they are signing up for. The tour is mainly focused on pre-booking stage so customers can make informed decision about which room they want to book, the view their room will have and so on.
Some hotels also offer VR during the stay. They show virtual simulation of local places and tourist spots to visitors so they can plan their days ahead while sitting peacefully in their hotel rooms.
Digital is the future
Digital transformation is taking over every industry and the hotel industry can truly benefit from it. Since customers are so used to technology now, they expect hotels to be updated so it only makes sense for the hotel industry to evolve with time.
Baldwin Jackson is a successful digital marketer with expertise in search engine optimization and content marketing. The perfect balance of his analytical ability and creative thinking is what sets him apart from other practitioners in the digital marketing realm. He has helped a lot of small and medium-sized businesses in crafting their digital marketing strategies that are not only cost-effective but delivers results as well.
Baldwin is also a proud father of two kids and a Sports enthusiast. When he is not working, you will find him watching ESPN and NFL network. He has been able to get an amazing package on his favorite channels from Buytvinternetphone.com.