3 Types of Technology Reshaping the Hospitality Industry

Hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruises, and other tourism-related businesses rely greatly on different pieces of technology to streamline various operations and make them more efficient, less complicated and less time-consuming, all at the same time.

Technology also plays a crucial role in improving the overall experience of all hospitality customers, paving the way for the increased revenue and profitability of the business.

With these roles in mind, keeping up with the latest hospitality technology is a must if your business lies in this industry. This is important for staying competitive and ensuring your company continues to leverage the benefits the right tools provide.

For hospitality business owners, this means staying up-to-date with the latest tools that you can use and knowing when and how to update to enjoy the same benefits and have access to more.

Hospitality Technology Worth Investing In

Below are some types of technologies currently reshaping businesses in the hospitality industry that are worth investing in:

1. People-Counting Technology

Measuring footfall traffic offers so many benefits that people-counting technology is now a must-have tool for hotels, resorts, and other hospitality- or tourism-related businesses.

People counters or footfall counters are electronic devices installed in key locations, often entrances, to count the number of people entering the building or certain areas.

The data collected by these tools can be used to improve the management and operation of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses by helping you achieve the following:

● Understand customer flow.

A footfall counter can give you valuable insights into how visitors move throughout your premises and use your amenities.

You can use this information to measure conversion rates and find out how many visitors became guests, how many sales opportunities were lost, which areas are popular among guests, and more.

With this data, you can identify which areas in your premises present the highest marketing value and which ones you need to improve. You can also use the information to make the right changes to boost your business’s earning potential.

● Maximize resources.

Identifying peak and off-peak periods in your hotel or resort, in-house restaurants and cafes, spa, and other facilities in your premises allows you to make smarter strategies and decisions regarding staff scheduling activities.

With better staffing schedules, you can ensure there is always enough staff to look after all guests and maintain a smooth operation.

This information can also help you plan your inventory more efficiently, giving you an assurance that you always have enough supplies to satisfy the needs of all guests and customers.

● Improve customer service.

With better staff scheduling and inventory strategies, you will have faster check-in and shorter waiting times. You also ensure that there is enough staff to cater to all guests’ needs.

This improved customer service delivery will help set your hotel apart from your competitors, boost your reputation, and increase customer loyalty. All these translate to higher sales and profits for your hospitality business.

● Compare and measure hotel branch performances.

If you own a hotel chain, your footfall counter can make it easier for you to compare the performance of each branch.

With access to various important, relevant pieces of information, you will be able to identify which hotels have the most visitor traffic and highest conversion rates. You can also measure and compare the performance of the onsite restaurants, bars, spas, and other facilities in each branch.

You can then apply the strategies that work at one hotel branch to the others to improve operations and maximize revenues.

2. RFID

A Radio Frequency Identification or RFID system is a type of technology that uses radio waves to send a signal from a chip in a tag to a receiver.

An RFID system has two key parts: a receiver and a tag. The receiver receives and processes the signal that each tag emits, which has a unique code.

RFID can be used in the hospitality industry in the following ways:

● Door locks.

One of the most widespread uses of RFID technology in hospitality is room entry.

Most guests prefer RFID keycards since they are easier to use; simply wave the card in front of the transponder to open the door. Also, management can quickly deactivate a visitor’s keycard if they lose it, giving them peace of mind that they won’t fall victim to theft.

RFID keycards provide hotel management more control over security as well. They can activate and deactivate cards remotely and check logs to see where and when they were used.

Lastly, RFID cards are more cost-effective in the long term since they don’t get demagnetized and lose their function quickly.

● Inventory management.

RFID tags can be embedded on various physical items and supplies in the hotel to assist in inventory management.

Tags can be attached to linens, towels, and minibar staples, among others, for faster and more efficient monitoring. When these items are used up or consumed, employees can replace and restock them faster.

An RFID system will also come in handy in managing the hotel’s and other facilities’ overall inventory.

● Payments within the premises.

Guests can also use their RFID cards to pay for their purchases in restaurants, bars, cafes, and souvenir shops.

Their keycard already contains payment information or room-charge information, which means they don’t have to bring cash or credit cards whenever they leave their rooms.

By reducing the use of cash and credit cards within the premises, you reduce the risk of theft or declined transactions. Transactions will take less time as well.

3. Internet of Things (IoT)

Since IoT is already a staple in many homes, it is also expected to find its way in the hospitality industry.

Implementing IoT in your hotel or resort allows you to maximize various benefits, including:

● Personalized services.

Using IoT, guests can set up their room as they have it at home. Because of this personalization, they can enjoy a better, more comfortable stay in your hotel or resort.

● Recorded guest preferences.

With the right tool, your staff can remember your guests’ preferences. When they return, they will have the same experience without the need to ask the front desk.

When guests have the same experience during their stay, you encourage them to refer your hotel or resort to other people, which will help your branding and marketing campaigns.

● Ease of use.

Although giving guests personalized experiences may seem complicated, the use of IoT makes everything easier.

Since IoT technology can record guest preferences, your staff won’t need to take notes and remember them. Moreover, the guests themselves can set up their rooms like they do in their homes without learning new interfaces.

Although there are more types of technology that can be used in the hospitality industry, investing in these three first can take you atop the competition and help fuel your growth and success.