10 Essential Hotel Technology Trends to Boost Guest Experience
As hotel technology advances, hoteliers need to stay on top of emerging trends to best serve their guests and improve their experience. In this blog, you will learn about 10 hotel technology trends your guests will come to expect. Master these core components in your business to stay ahead of the competition and provide an exceptional guest experience.
1. Cloud Hotel Property Management System (PMS)
Already In Place
Utilizing a good Property Management System (PMS) is essential. While you may already have one in place that fulfills the basic functions of managing reservations, room inventory, and guest data, the latest trends in PMS go beyond the essentials. Integration with tools like point-of-sales systems, guest messaging, accounting programs, guest review platforms, marketing tools and OTA connections enables a more personalized and streamlined experience. Additionally, any reliable PMS is backed by a dedicated support team that ensures you have assistance whenever issues may arise. By investing in a quality PMS, small hotel owners can save time, reduce costs, and improve the overall guest experience, which will lead to increased bookings and revenue.
2. A.I. Chatbot Customer Service
New Trend
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Chatbots can provide your guests with 24/7 customer service for basic inquiries and can be used in conjunction with live customer service to help address more complex inquiries. This will streamline the guest experience to ensure they have a smooth and enjoyable interaction on your website. In addition to providing around-the-clock customer service, an AI chatbot can help collect important information that can be used for marketing or tailoring your guests' experience.
3. Social Media Communication
Already In Place
Social Media should be used in various ways to ensure you are reaching your target audience. Understanding the importance of different channels and who they speak to will have an enormous impact. Are your guests looking for upcoming holiday information on Facebook? Perhaps they are looking for a direct line of communication via Twitter or WhatsApp? Focusing your efforts on the correct line of communication and tuning that to the right social media platform is imperative for success in the online world.
4. Contactless Check-In
New Trend
The impact of COVID-19 left its mark in many ways. For the hospitality industry, one big change was the implementation of contactless technology to protect and safeguard guests. Properties that moved to reservation software tools that supported this are now seeing the benefits of contactless check-ins; increased efficiency with bookings, peace of mind for guests, and overall enhanced guest experience. Guests seamlessly check in from their mobile devices at any time of day from any location, freeing up your staff to attend to those who still prefer in-person interaction. Hoteliers also benefit from improved accuracy and enhanced personalization, as the entire interaction can be tailored specifically for each guest. rezStream Cloud PMS offers guest messaging services with its integration with Akia.
5. Hotel Booking Engines
Already In Place
If you have a modern property management system, it will include a powerful booking engine to drive direct bookings. We can’t stress how much more valuable direct bookings are compared to the commission-based reservations you receive from OTAs. By integrating availability and individual unit calendars, your website can offer guests a seamless and convenient booking experience - without the need to redirect them to a third-party booking site. Your booking engine should be user-friendly, visually appealing, and offer advanced features such as real-time availability and pricing, room type and rate comparison, and promotional offers. With a powerful booking engine like the one we deploy in rezStream Cloud, hotels can increase direct bookings, reduce commission fees paid to online travel agencies, and build stronger relationships with their guests by providing personalized and efficient service.
Booking Engine example
6. Booking Engine Cart Abandonment
New Trend
One of the biggest challenges faced by hotels during online booking is cart abandonment, where potential guests add rooms or services to their booking cart but fail to complete the reservation. To recover these lost bookings, hoteliers can implement re-engagement tools specifically designed to target and entice those who abandoned their carts. One potential remedy is to contact your potential guests with booking abandonment e-mails and text messages. With booking abandonment emails, hotels can send personalized messages to remind guests about their incomplete reservations, offer incentives or discounts, and provide a direct link to complete the booking. Similarly, booking abandonment SMS messages can be sent as timely reminders or offers, reaching guests directly on their mobile devices. By employing these re-engagement techniques, hotels will increase their chances of converting abandoned carts into completed bookings.
7. Virtual Tours
Already In Place
One example of a business that has successfully implemented virtual tours is The Golden Anchor Cabins in West Virginia. By providing 360-degree virtual tours of their cabins, The Golden Anchor Cabins is able to give potential guests a clear sense of what it's like to stay on their property, without the need for an in-person visit. This not only improves the guest experience but also helps to increase bookings. A study by TIG Global and Omni Hotels found that properties offering virtual tours can see an increase in bookings anywhere from 16-67%. This is likely due to the fact that virtual tours allow guests to explore the property at their own pace and get a sense of the layout, amenities, and overall vibe before making a booking decision.
8. Smart Climate Control Management
New Trend
Smart climate control management in hotels not only enhances guest comfort but also promotes energy efficiency. By implementing advanced sensors and automation systems, hotels can optimize temperature settings based on occupancy and external conditions, reduce energy waste and contribute to a greener and more sustainable environment. With intuitive interfaces or even voice commands, guests have convenient control over the temperature of their rooms, allowing them to create a personalized and comfortable environment. This seamless integration of technology improves the overall guest experience, leading to higher satisfaction levels and a memorable stay, all while minimizing the property's environmental impact.
9. Door Lock Integration
New Trend
Another feature hotels can take advantage of with the advancement of NFC technology in mobile phones is door lock integration. Guests will use their mobile phones as the key to their room, eliminating the need for physical cards or keys. Your guests will not only appreciate the seamless integration into their devices, but eliminating reusable physical keys or cards adds another layer to hygiene, which can be an important factor for guests during these times.
10. Robotics
Wouldn’t That Be Nice
Staffing and labor shortages continue to pose challenges for independently owned-hotels and inns. While robotics may seem more prevalent in chain hotels, the idea of implementing robotic automation is an exciting prospect. Imagine a future where robots take on various tasks to enhance the guest experience. From a machine that effortlessly pours and prepares drinks to a mobile robot delivering room service, the possibilities are endless. To make this vision a reality, explore sources and solutions to robotic automation. Companies like KeenonRobot, Relay Robotics, and the H Hotel Los Angeles' robot butler offer valuable insights for implementing robotic automation.
In conclusion, by keeping up with hotel technology trends and partnering with a reputable hotel technology provider, you can streamline operations, increase revenue, and enhance guest satisfaction. If you're ready to take your hotel's technology to the next level, check out rezStream’s property management system and hospitality solutions to learn more about how we will help transform your hotel's digital presence, keeping you updated with the latest trends.
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