The hospital industry is considered to be like an elephant when adopting hotel technology. Of course, what we mean by elephants is the fact that they are slow-moving but dependable. Amusingly, it is also favoured elephants in its partners as well. Same as with these animals, hotels like to spend time with those the same as them. Although guests value improvements, radical change can be risky for hotels.
Devices today have become more capable, software more inventive, and systems progressively more automated, bigger opportunities exist to execute technology across any industry. The hospitality industry has witnessed plenty of new technological advancements in recent years, a few have become widely adopted, while some are only starting to scratch the surface. It’s true that technology is here to stay and is already having an enormous effect on the way hotels operate and in addition, how guests use the technology to their advantage.
Technology is becoming more important to the modern-day hotel, and guests today have come to expect that plenty of the conveniences they enjoy at home are made available at the hotel of their choosing. In this article, we will discuss the top five hospitality technology trends that are feasible for hotels in 2020.
Chatbots, AI, Assistants, and Big Data
Automation and convenience go together, so as a result is the rise of AI-powered platforms and services comes as no surprise. Chatbots equipped to service guests’ necessities and answer questions throughout the whole traveller journey are not only giving guests with continual service pathways but it helps to lessen operational stress too. AI-powered devices assist to trim multiple tasks at once (gathering guest data, managing inventory, basic guest requests, and more) while hotel staff can get more focus on those enhancements of the guest experience which is the most important.
This year, we will be witnessing the swift inception of in-room AI-powered assistants, even taking it further because several hotels are exploring the use of AI-powered robots beyond chatbot technology. Using these technologies will also breed the potential for improved, data-driven experiences that are better suited to the unique needs of each guest. Moreover, the guest chooses hotels that can easily anticipate their needs, provide personalized service and recommendations, and offer the comforts of home within a luxury abode.
Payment Technology
Data breaches and hacks can happen, and this is not a surprise that cybersecurity is on the minds of hoteliers in our time. With that being said, plenty of hotels will be looking to enhance their current technology in 2020 by investing in property management software that directly integrates with payment processing solutions. As a result, hotels will have the chance to leverage more secure and modern payment processing methods, which not only helps to secure the hotel but the guest as well.
This year, we’ll be looking to upgrade their payment technology to accept payments through EMV contactless-enabled terminals and near field communication as well.
Advanced Meeting Spaces
Hotel accommodations sooner will have no space for simple and dull meeting rooms, it will be enough for the majority of the business travellers groups, and conference attendees. Today, meeting rooms are centred around technology, and that trend is likely to progress its growth. With endless developing technology including a smart television, videoconferencing, and improving bandwidth needs, hotels will be more extra when it comes to their meeting spaces in 2020 in order to meet the expectations of the savvy traveller.
Moreover, there will be no need for dedicated onsite IT personnel, as the technology today is widely available and almost all users are already familiar with it. Hotels should aim to stay ahead of the curve and start implementing more modern technology into their meeting spaces particularly if they haven’t done it yet.
Expansion of Software Integrations
Keeping on with along the lines of serving to the digital expectations of the modern guest, merging hotel technologies will help hoteliers remain competitive while improving efficiencies as well. Although a lot of hotels do not have the budget or infrastructure to invest in complete hotel management software or various solutions, integrations within their property management software can allow hotels to affordably do more at their property.
Furthermore, hotels that provide services including sales and catering or retail point of sale solutions are able to directly unite with systems that can perform these tasks. The benefits are already beginning to be seen by guests leveraging these tools while integrations are still evolving. Particularly, this trend should continue to grow as we move into 2020 and beyond.
The Future of Hospitality
The present-day hospitality landscape gives out challenges and opportunities, offering traditional hoteliers tiny choice but to accept technological transformation head-on to expand guest loyalty, increase revenue, and to support future growth. Eventually, understanding the needs of guests, and the way in which those expectations are dependent to change based on coming out trends will allow hoteliers to go on agile and, in a position to triumph well into 2020 and beyond.
Are there any particular hospitality technology trends you’re most excited about this year? Comment them down!
Author Bio: Ivandrea Ollero is a writer for Holiday Inn Parramatta Hotel, one of Australia?s luxury hotels providing accommodation in Parramatta and a great historical Sydney experience for tourists. She is also a content crafter who researches and writes custom content about travel, fashion, finance, business, home improvements, health, and beauty in order to provide helpful information and tips for her readers. Ivandrea graduated from St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2016.
