The hospitality industry is undergoing a transformation driven by technological advancements reshaping guest experiences. Over 65% of guests report higher customer satisfaction when a hotel or resort offers a personalized experience.1 To deliver these tailored services, hospitality businesses must embrace the latest technology trends designed to exceed customer expectations and provide a competitive edge.
From contactless check-in to immersive virtual reality experiences, technology is revolutionizing every aspect of the hospitality sector. By adopting cutting-edge solutions, hotels can streamline operations, enhance guest satisfaction, and ultimately drive revenue growth. In this blog, we’ll explore the latest technology trends your hotel needs to create an unforgettable guest experience and keep ahead of the curve.
What Is Hospitality Technology?
Hospitality technology encompasses a range of tools and systems designed to improve operational efficiency and guest satisfaction in hotels and resorts. From property management systems (PMS) to guest messaging platforms, these technologies play a pivotal role in providing efficient and personalized service. By adopting the right technology solutions, hospitality businesses can reduce costs, improve guest experiences, and ultimately drive revenue growth.
What Are the Latest Technology Trends in Hospitality?
As the hospitality industry evolves, technology is playing a pivotal role in shaping its future. Some of the latest hospitality technology trends include:
- Internet of Things (IoT) – IoT technology enables hotels to connect various devices and systems, allowing for seamless communication and automation. From keyless entry systems to energy management solutions, IoT is leading the way for smart hotel rooms that provide personalized guest services.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing the way hotels interact with guests and manage operations, which is likely why 73% of hospitality businesses say AI and ML lead their IT strategy.2 AI-powered chatbots can provide 24/7 customer service, while data analytics leveraging machine learning algorithms can help hotels optimize pricing and inventory management.
- Mobile Applications and Contactless Technologies – Mobile apps and contactless technologies have become essential in the post-pandemic era. Hotel guests can use their smartphones for contactless check-in, mobile room keys, and ordering services, improving convenience and safety.
- Robotics – The hospitality robotics market is expected to exceed $3 billion by 2030.3 Robotics introduces automation and efficient service delivery to hospitality businesses. Service robots, such as robot greeters, housekeeping robots, and cooking robots, are becoming increasingly common in restaurants and hotels, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing labor costs.
- Augmented and Virtual Reality – Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) are reshaping the hospitality industry by offering immersive experiences. Hotels can provide virtual tours, interactive concierge services, and even augmented reality menus to engage guests in innovative ways.
Top Hospitality Technology Solutions Your Hotel Needs
Hotels seeking to stay ahead of the competition in today’s increasingly digital world must adopt the latest hospitality technology trends. Here’s a guide to the essential technology solutions your hotel needs:
1. Property Management Systems (PMS)
A property management system (PMS) enables staff to efficiently manage reservations, guest profiles, room assignments, and financial reporting. Leading PMS solutions offer advanced features and seamless integrations with other systems, streamlining daily hotel operations. These solutions automate tasks such as check-in and check-out, room inventory management, and revenue tracking to reduce manual effort and minimize errors.
2. Staff Collaboration Tools
Effective communication and task management are essential in the fast-paced hospitality industry, where staff members are scattered across different floors, buildings, and shifts. Cloud-based communications platforms offer staff collaboration tools that facilitate real-time communication and collaboration to improve efficiency and coordination. These platforms replace traditional methods like walkie-talkies and logbooks, enabling staff to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
3. Housekeeping and Engineering Software
Housekeeping and engineering software solutions digitize and automate the operations of these departments. These automation tools optimize task assignments based on staff availability and priority levels, monitor room status in real time, and track issue resolution for maintenance requests. By streamlining these processes, hotels can ensure efficient resource allocation, timely room turnover, and a seamless guest experience from check-in to check-out.
4. Guest Messaging
An overwhelming 95% of hospitality businesses currently offer or plan to add messaging with guests.4 Guest messaging platforms allow hotels to communicate with guests through their preferred channels, including text messaging, email, and messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. These solutions support automated messaging for reminders, promotions, and updates while also providing a centralized dashboard for staff to respond to guest inquiries promptly. Automated messaging and centralized dashboards enhance guest engagement, responsiveness, and overall satisfaction.
5. Keyless Entry
Keyless entry systems let guests unlock their hotel rooms and other secure areas like gyms or pools using their smartphones. These solutions integrate with PMSs for a seamless arrival experience, eliminating the need for traditional key cards and reducing the risk of lost keys. With keyless entry, a guest can bypass the front desk and proceed directly to their hotel room, enjoying a convenient and contactless check-in process.
6. Guest Applications
Mobile guest applications transform the in-room guest experience by providing guests with access to hotel information, room service menus, local recommendations, and more on their mobile devices. These apps serve as digital concierges, improving customer satisfaction by enabling guests to explore amenities, request hospitality services, and access personalized content without the need for physical directories or assistance.
7. Hotel WiFi
Reliable and high-speed internet access is now a necessary amenity for guests, especially for those working remotely or traveling for business. Hospitality companies can partner with internet service providers to offer seamless WiFi connectivity throughout the property, ensuring guests can stay connected, access online services, and enjoy uninterrupted streaming or video conferencing capabilities during their stay.
8. Contactless Check-in
In the wake of the pandemic, contactless check-in solutions have become essential for hotels. These mobile check-in systems facilitate a fully digital check-in process, including ID scanning, digital registration cards, upselling opportunities, payment processing, and arrival time coordination. Mobile check-in solutions minimize physical contact, enhance safety, and provide a more convenient experience for guests.
9. Energy Management
By adopting energy management solutions, hotels can not only reduce operational costs but also display their commitment to sustainability – a must, considering 80% of consumers say traveling sustainably is important to them.4 These energy-saving technologies intelligently control room temperatures, lighting, and other systems based on occupancy and guest preferences, optimizing energy consumption and minimizing waste.
10. In-Room Tablets
In-room tablets replace traditional room amenities like telephones, directories, and TV remotes, serving as central hubs for accessing hotel information, ordering guest services, controlling in-room amenities, and even streaming entertainment content. Leveraging in-room tablets allows hotels to enhance guest convenience, personalization, and overall satisfaction.
11. Guest Room Entertainment
Guest room entertainment systems offer interactive content and entertainment options beyond traditional cable channels, catering to diverse guest preferences and engaging them in new ways. These solutions give guests access to a wide range of on-demand movies, shows, music, and games, as well as local and international programming, so hotels can differentiate themselves from competitors and meet the expectations of tech-savvy guests.
12. Mobile Ordering/F&B
Mobile ordering and food and beverage (F&B) systems enable guests to access menus, place room service orders, and make mobile payments, delivering a contactless and convenient dining experience. These solutions streamline the ordering process, reduce wait times, and minimize physical contact for improved guest safety and satisfaction. Additionally, they let hotels and restaurants manage order fulfillment more efficiently, optimizing operations and reducing costs.
Create A First-Class Guest Experience With Phonesuite’s Hospitality Technology
As the hospitality industry evolves, embracing the latest technology trends is a must for hotels to stay competitive and deliver exceptional guest experiences. By implementing new technology solutions designed to enhance the hospitality sector, your business can increase efficiency and provide guests with the personalized services they crave.
At Phonesuite, we understand the hospitality industry. As a leading phone system provider for more than 35 years, we provide flexible, innovative communications solutions designed specifically for hotels. Whether your hotel is boutique, resort, or anything in between, you can count on us to deliver a phone system that fulfills all your needs and integrates well with your hospitality technology.
Ready to upgrade your communications solution – and your guest experience? Get in touch with Phonesuite today.
Sources:
- https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/hotel-guest-experience-strategy.html
- https://hospitalitytech.com/news-briefs/2023-02-27?article=survey-finds-73-hospitality-it-decision-makers-say-aiml-leads-their-itbusiness-strategy
- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/hospitality-robots-market-A13078
- https://hospitalitytech.com/new-wi-fi-predictions-2023-mean-hoteliers-need-get-speed-network-technology
- https://globalnews.booking.com/download/31767dc7-3d6a-4108-9900-ab5d11e0a808/booking.com-sustainable-travel-report2023.pdf
