Ignoring technological trends might be the beginning of your downfall if you run a hotel in the 21st century. Technology not only simplifies work, but it’s also proof of reliability to picky clients. If you are looking to enhance efficiency and productivity in the workplace, you have to incorporate tech in your operations.

The same applies to improve customer experience and give industry leaders a run for their money. Here are a few essential tech tools to include in your hoteling arsenal and take your business to the next level:

1. ID/passport scanner

Identity document scanners are tools that help businesspeople capture clients’ details fast, accurately, efficiently, and without the need for physical document exchange. There are many scanners on the market, but not all of them can provide the solution you are looking for.

A proper ID scanning tool should recognize as many types of documents from as many jurisdictions and countries as possible. It should also acknowledge barcodes, signatures, symbols, flags, and primary languages. Unless you want to involve humans in the check-in/check-out process, it would be best to consider a scanner that can verify document validity.

2. Keyless entry systems

The use of mobile phones to unlock and lock room doors is another trend gaining traction in the past few years. No guest will pass up the luxury of opening and closing their room by just swiping their smartphone across a pad on the door.

It is not only convenient compared to the traditional lock-and-key system, but it’s safer as well. Many prospective clients will see this as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19 and choose to reside in your hotel because of it.

3. Virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) is a hit in digital marketing, although it doesn’t look like many hoteliers have figured out how to incorporate the technology in their service delivery.

You can use VR to provide an immersive view of hotel amenities, conference rooms, guest rooms, and the neighborhood.

It gives a better picture of what you have to offer and connects you to higher-quality leads. On the customer’s part, VR removes the need for guesswork when choosing hotels and rooms.

4. Chatbots

Chatbots are being used in various niches to improve communication and free up customer service personnel to address critical issues. They improve efficiency and help save hotel owners money on labor costs.

They also help retain prospects who are either impatient or in urgent need of answers about your business. Chatbots can be deployed either on service websites or hotel apps and can be used in various ways, depending on the type of services you offer.

5. Augmented reality

Beacons are slowly becoming a tech staple in hotel management, as they offer opportunities to increase revenue in hospitality. These AR-based technologies communicate with tablets, smartphones, and other devices. They are influential in proposing offers to customers’ smartphones for indoor activities and locations such as bars and hotel lobbies. 

 Hotel managers can use beacons to simplify hotel navigation for their customers and expedite service delivery. They can also use them to send automated notifications to guests’ smartphones to regulate room temperature. Other applications include automation of the check-in/check-out procedure and safety maintenance of hotel premises.

6. Blockchain

Blockchain can make hotel management a lot easier, but it is deployed and used correctly. In layman’s terms, blockchain is a collection of records that keeps growing with increasing transactions.

It is a system that records transactions in an efficient, verifiable, and permanent way. Blockchain makes vital transaction-related data available in the hospitality industry while providing hotel management with more opportunities for room distribution.

7. Wi-Fi 6

While 5G is getting all the attention, Wi-Fi 6 is a more relevant technology for property managers and owners. Wi-Fi 6 refers to the latest Wi-Fi iteration, which is faster and more efficient than traditional connections. It can improve your connection speed by up to 30%, which is significant considering the number of devices that require an internet connection in business settings.

A faster connection will simplify placing orders and submitting inquiries, complaints, and suggestions to the hotel management. It will also help clients stream content and browse the internet with ease.

8. Smart recognition

Innovative recognition technology is still a new trend, but many large companies are already using it, and many success stories are coming out of it. In hospitality, the technology can be used in several applications, including automating check-in processes.

Supervisors can also use it to track employees and monitor their punctuality and attendance. An adequately utilized innovative recognition system can immensely reduce the management’s work, improve accountability and efficiency, and save the company a fortune in the long run.

9. Internet of things (IoT)

As the internet of things (IoT) continues spreading into various aspects of our lives, hotel guests are also starting to view it as a must-have convenience. Many hotel owners see this as an unnecessary addition, but the truth is it will come in handier for the management than the guest.

 IoT connectivity gives you a basis to increase room charges and magnetizes tech-savvy users who consider internet reliability when choosing hotels. It creates the much-needed impression that your hotel or resort is up to date with technology or whether you have other technologies in place.

10. Property management system

A property management system is essential for success in the hospitality industry. A great property management system can handle all front office operations, such as checking guests in and out, making reservations, and controlling rates and inventory, among other things.

It makes it easy to manage these daily processes that eat away a lot of time, allowing employees to focus on more important matters. 

Endnote

New hotel trends are not supposed to replace the conventional hotel-stay experience but to complement it.

The above technologies can improve your service regardless of the size of your hotel or resort and the kind of guests you serve. You can add more tech tools to meet customer demands or grab the attention of your target audience.