The tourism and hospitality industries are leaders in the use of technology. Today, taking advantage of these technologies allows us to gain a significant edge over our competitors and improve the efficiency of our own companies. These companies use the Internet to gather information about the market, the competition, and tourists.
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What Can Technology Offer Hotels?
Over the years, it has become clear that investing in technology is a strategic factor, both for businesses in general and specifically for the hospitality industry. The implementation of technology in a hotel must be systematic; that is, the tools must function independently to maximize their potential and thereby improve their interconnectivity. From the customer’s perspective, making a reservation, checking in to the hotel via a mobile device, or receiving valuable information about their stay before arrival adds value to the experience.
Hotel management
To connect the hotel management system with the real impact on the business, it is necessary to have complete automation that allows the accounting system to obtain the reports necessary for management control (USALI), thus eliminating manual data entry, which means savings in working time as well as continuous reviews and corrections.
With regard to the spaces reserved for events, all necessary services must be available to provide attendees with maximum connectivity. Some hotels have already developed specific apps to make guests’ stays easier, such as Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach, which allows guests to pay for their drinks and access their social media profiles using their fingerprints, or simply pay with cryptocurrencies, as in the recent case of Bitcoin.
The Influence of Technology on the Hotel Guest Experience
In the digital age, the incorporation of the latest technological advances into the tourism industry—and especially the hotel industry—has changed customer demand, which is why hotels and resorts have been implementing services that allow their guests to feel at home and make use of technological resources whenever they wish.
Technology at the Service of Our Customers
According to various studies, 70% of guests worldwide want to have internet access at all times and in all areas of the hotel; furthermore, 66% of guests value technology and have better experiences when hotels incorporate the latest technology into their offerings. Based on these findings, it is known that 92% of guests own a smartphone, and 40% use hotel apps and social media. As a result, most hotels are improving their Wi-Fi coverage to make the guest experience more rewarding.
Streamlined processes are important to guests, which is why hotels—as we mentioned earlier—are exploring the possibility of allowing guests to check in directly from their smartphones before arrival. They also appreciate receiving notifications confirming their reservation, informing them of any changes, and letting them know when their room is ready for check-in.
Loyalty programs play an important role in choosing the right hotel for a stay, as customers greatly value the ability to earn points and receive discounts. Sending personalized offers, promotions, and rewards via social media fosters interaction between the hotel and the guest.
In short, technology offers the opportunity to improve hotel performance and productivity, and is within reach of any establishment as long as its managers have the support and expertise of experienced professionals, who will not only help optimize the investment in technology but also provide the most appropriate tools for management, decision-making, and achieving business objectives.
