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New Technology in the Hospitality Industry: The Future is Here

Technology inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry continues toÌýdevelop ²¹²Ô»åÌýprogress atÌýaÌýrapid pace. Restaurants, hotels, amusement parks, ²¹²Ô»åÌýall other hospitality-related businesses are being called upon toÌýstay up-to-date with theÌýlatest trends inÌýtechnology. Failing toÌýdoÌýsoÌýmay beÌýdetrimental toÌýtheir ability toÌýthrive.

Hospitality technology refers toÌýaÌývariety ofÌýecommerce ²¹²Ô»åÌýITÌýsolutions designed toÌýmake businesses run more smoothly. Another major benefit ofÌýtechnological improvements isÌýtheir impact onÌýtheÌýexperience ofÌýhospitality customers. When implemented correctly, technology can simplify theÌýlives ofÌýemployees ²¹²Ô»åÌýcustomers alike.

While some companies may beÌýhesitant toÌýmove away from old ways that brought success, new technology has morphed theÌýlandscape ofÌýhospitality forever. This article will discuss technological trends inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry, why technology isÌýsoÌýimportant ²¹²Ô»åÌýmuch more.

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Why Technology IsÌýSoÌýImportant inÌýHospitality Industry

For many business owners, itÌýcan beÌýdifficult toÌýkeep upÌýwith theÌýlatest trends. Running aÌýbusiness takes aÌýlot ofÌýtime, energy, ²¹²Ô»åÌýmoney. Learning new tips ²¹²Ô»åÌýtricks may not seem worth theÌýeffort, especially f´Ç°ùÌýbusinesses that have already experienced success.

Why technology isÌýsoÌýimportant inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry comes down toÌýone simple fact: theÌýtimes are changing. Some business owners may prefer toÌýstick with trends that used toÌýwork, but these businesses may not beÌýable toÌýsurvive inÌýtheÌýnear future. Those who fail toÌýmove forward into theÌýever-changing world ofÌýtechnology will unfortunately beÌýleft behind.

Technology has become anÌýessential tool inÌýnearly every facet ofÌýlife. Many strategies that used toÌýwork inÌýtheÌýworld ofÌýbusiness have become less impactful ²¹²Ô»åÌýless efficient. Technology inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry can lower staff workloads, reduce costs, improve work accuracy, improve customer experience, ²¹²Ô»åÌýincrease profitability.

Much like anyÌýother industry, theÌýhospitality industry isÌýextremely competitive. Those that continue toÌýgrow ²¹²Ô»åÌýexpand will set theÌýexpectations f´Ç°ùÌýcustomers. Once customers become accustomed toÌýaÌýcertain level ofÌýservice, there isÌýnoÌýgoing back. This isÌýwhy businesses must remain active asÌýtechnological trends ebb ²¹²Ô»åÌýflow.

Emerging Technology inÌýtheÌýHospitality Industry

Technology trends inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry continue toÌýpush theÌýboundaries ofÌýwhat’s possible. Ideas that once seemed “futuristic” ´Ç°ùÌýimprobable are now being implemented inÌýbusinesses across theÌýworld. Here are some examples ofÌýtheÌýemerging technology inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry:

The rise ofÌýrenewable energy

The process ofÌýgathering renewable energy has become increasingly efficient ²¹²Ô»åÌýaffordable inÌýrecent years. This has allowed both businesses ²¹²Ô»åÌýeveryday people toÌýminimize their carbon footprint. The idea ofÌýnet-zero ´Ç°ùÌýcarbon-neutral hotels once seemed like aÌýpipe dream. InÌýtoday’s world, itÌýisÌýaÌýreal possibility.

The hospitality industry has begun adopting practices such asÌýusing energy-efficient lighting ²¹²Ô»åÌýthermal heat pumps, installing solar panels, using energy management systems, ²¹²Ô»åÌýmore. The cost ofÌýusing renewable energy continues toÌýbecome more affordable, especially inÌýtheÌýlong run.

Contactless check-ins are becoming theÌýnorm

Since theÌýstart ofÌýtheÌýCOVID-19Ìýpandemic, contactless check-ins f´Ç°ùÌýhotels ²¹²Ô»åÌýflights have become theÌýnorm. Even asÌýtheÌýworld has reopened, this trend has continued toÌýspread. This process isÌýdone through self-service check-in kiosks ´Ç°ùÌýmobile apps, effectively minimizing theÌýneed f´Ç°ùÌýface-to-face contact.

This trend has disrupted theÌýold ways ofÌýtheÌýhospitality industry. While change can beÌýscary, implementing contactless check-ins allows check-in toÌýbeÌýfast ²¹²Ô»åÌýeasy f´Ç°ùÌýcustomers. ItÌýalso gives company employees theÌýopportunity toÌýtend toÌýother parts ofÌýtheÌýjob, making itÌýaÌývaluable business tool.

Implementing artificial intelligence (AI)

AIÌýtechnology inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry has grown exponentially inÌýtheÌýlast few years. Technology such asÌýChatGPT has led toÌýless stress onÌýcompany employees, increased guest satisfaction, cost cutting, ²¹²Ô»åÌýmuch more. AsÌýtechnology continues toÌýdevelop, Artificial Intelligence will beÌýable toÌýoffer many exciting possibilities f´Ç°ùÌýindustries across theÌýglobe.

The growing popularity ofÌýmobile payments ²¹²Ô»åÌýdigital wallets

Another major shift during theÌýpandemic was theÌýshift away from cash ²¹²Ô»åÌýtoward mobile payments ²¹²Ô»åÌýdigital wallets. Even before theÌýpandemic, cashless payments had been trending upward. There isÌýlittle doubt that this form ofÌýdigital technology inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry isÌýhere toÌýstay. While most businesses still accept cash, itÌýisÌýnoÌýlonger theÌýmost popular form ofÌýpayment.

Options like ApplePay ²¹²Ô»åÌýGooglePay have helped toÌýsimplify theÌýpayment process. With aÌýquick swipe, customers can quickly move onÌýwith their lives.

The importance ofÌýsocial media

Today, marketing ²¹²Ô»åÌýbranding isÌýmore important than ever. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, ²¹²Ô»åÌýTwitter offer unique opportunities toÌýbusinesses inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry. Unlike anyÌýother time inÌýhuman history, businesses now have theÌýchance toÌýreach millions ofÌýpeople across theÌýglobe.

The biggest hospitality companies spend millions ofÌýdollars each year onÌýads toÌýoptimize their reach onÌýsocial media sites. When done correctly, these sites can help businesses grow quickly ²¹²Ô»åÌýsustainably. This approach isÌýespecially helpful f´Ç°ùÌýthose trying toÌýengage with individuals 30Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýyounger.

The creation ofÌýco-working spaces

There has been aÌýmassive growth inÌý“working from home” jobs inÌýtheÌýlast 3Ìýyears. Thriving hospitality businesses have viewed this shift asÌýaÌývaluable opportunity. Some hotels have turned lobbies ´Ç°ùÌýunderutilized spaces into co-working spaces.

These spaces are jam-packed with outlets, accessible computers, ²¹²Ô»åÌýhigh-speed WiFi. Many ofÌýthem have tried toÌýmake theÌýco-working spaces asÌýinviting asÌýpossible, adding soft mood lighting. Hospitality businesses that took theÌýinitiative were able toÌýsurvive ²¹²Ô»åÌýeven thrive during theÌýpandemic.

Using software toÌýoptimize business

Evolution inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry isÌýnot always obvious toÌýtheÌýcustomers ´Ç°ùÌýguests. Hospitality industry software isÌýaÌýbehind-the-scenes hero f´Ç°ùÌýmany businesses throughout theÌýcountry. Hotels, airlines, ²¹²Ô»åÌýother big businesses can benefit from aÌýsoftware system that can help manage scheduling, customer information, inventory, ²¹²Ô»åÌýmuch more.

Overall, this technology isÌýextremely accurate ²¹²Ô»åÌýcan save employees time ²¹²Ô»åÌýbusiness owners aÌýlot ofÌýmoney inÌýtheÌýlong run.

Using mobile keys

One piece ofÌýtechnology that has taken theÌýhotel industry byÌýstorm isÌýtheÌýaddition ofÌýmobile keys. Anyone who has booked aÌýhotel room has likely experienced theÌýprocess ofÌýlosing their plastic keycard. This can beÌýhighly inconvenient f´Ç°ùÌýguests ²¹²Ô»åÌýemployees toÌýdeal with.

Mobile keys allow guests toÌýuse their mobile devices toÌýopen ²¹²Ô»åÌýlock their doors. This isÌýdone using Bluetooth onÌýtheir phones. It’s easy toÌýinstall, convenient, ²¹²Ô»åÌýsaves all parties involved from unnecessary stress.

Simplify with voice search ²¹²Ô»åÌývoice control

Most people use their mobile devices f´Ç°ùÌýeverything these days. This isÌýparticularly true when booking hotels, plane tickets, restaurant reservations, ´Ç°ùÌýtickets f´Ç°ùÌýanÌýevent. Voice search ²¹²Ô»åÌývoice control make theÌýprocess quick ²¹²Ô»åÌýeasy f´Ç°ùÌýcustomers.

This isÌýalso true f´Ç°ùÌýindividuals who have booked ²¹²Ô»åÌýarrived atÌýaÌýhotel. In-room devices can allow guests toÌýorder room service, turn onÌýsmart speakers, ´Ç°ùÌýGoogle “cool things toÌýdoÌýnearby.” With theÌýaddition ofÌýtechnology such asÌýtheÌýInternet ofÌýThings (IoT), you can use your voice toÌýturn onÌýlights, shut drapes, ²¹²Ô»åÌýmore.

Vacation rentals have become mainstream

For decades, people booked hotel rooms while onÌývacation. Big-name websites like Booking ²¹²Ô»åÌýExpedia were extremely popular. While some people still prefer this method ofÌýlodging, many people have turned toÌývacation rental marketplaces instead.

Sites like Vrbo ²¹²Ô»åÌýAirbnb have entered theÌýmainstream, particularly f´Ç°ùÌýyounger people. ItÌýoffers aÌýmore homey, communal space f´Ç°ùÌýthose traveling ´Ç°ùÌýonÌývacation. You have access toÌýyour own space, aÌýshared space, ²¹²Ô»åÌýpossible access toÌýaÌýfull kitchen. This isÌýsomething that most hotel guests are not privy to.

Future Technology inÌýtheÌýHospitality Industry

When itÌýcomes toÌýfuture technology inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry, convenience isÌýking. Current trends suggest that technology that offers sustainable, safe, ²¹²Ô»åÌýsimplified services f´Ç°ùÌýcustomers ²¹²Ô»åÌýcompany employees will continue toÌýbeÌýtheÌýprimary focus. Technology has developed rapidly inÌýtheÌýlast 20Ìýyears, ²¹²Ô»åÌýtheÌýadvantages continue toÌýoutweigh theÌýnegatives.

The advantages ²¹²Ô»åÌýdisadvantages ofÌýtechnology inÌýtheÌýhospitality industry depend onÌýtheÌýbusiness owner’s willingness toÌýlearn ²¹²Ô»åÌýgrow. For many old-school business owners, itÌýcan beÌýdifficult toÌýbring new ²¹²Ô»åÌýconfusing elements toÌýtheÌýtable. For those that have experienced success inÌýtheÌýpast, change can beÌýscary ²¹²Ô»åÌýchallenging.

However, those who are willing toÌýimplement hospitality industry technology will likely thrive f´Ç°ùÌýyears toÌýcome.

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About The Author
Max has been working in the ecommerce industry for the last six years helping brands to establish and level-up content marketing and SEO. Despite that, he has experience with entrepreneurship. He is a fiction writer in his free time.

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