Travel and Hospitality Incorporates Technology

By CIOReview | Tuesday, June 4, 2019

FREMONT, CA: To convey what guests need, hotels must possess both physical and technological infrastructures. While the industry is blazing with catchphrases, the truth is that hospitality is witnessing a technology gap and the rapidity of innovation implementation remains inadequate. Even the technology that is extensive—guest self-check-ins, radio-frequency identification hotel key cards, and mobile bookings—has not altered the guest experience or made a significant breakthrough.

The hospitality industry confronts the inherent challenges that delay innovation and technology adoption. However, risks present opportunities: thoughtful acceptance of technology can improve guest experiences and keep pace with a changing business environment and culture.

Designing Smart Buildings:

Hotel process of building smarter hotels starts during blueprint and construction, through the choice of technology-ready and green building features. In a fully incorporated smart hotel, task-management systems will optimize all activities, and systematize maintenance and housekeeping activities. Cybersecurity and privacy matters remain important undertakings, however, that have hindered the wider-spread deployment of these kinds of technologies.

Employing AI and Big Data:

The use of AI in the industry is mainly focused on consumer services, through Chatbots and recommendation engines. As AI is not an integrated technology that applies to one specific area of the hospitality industry, the chances of it being deployed in several ways are quite higher. There is a potential for new AI-powered recognition systems and software to create more secure check-in/check-out processes and sanction access to rooms and constrained areas.

Deploying Robotics to Relieve Labor Cost:

With the increase in labor costs, hospitality is facing an important issue that could be alleviated by automation. As factories and warehouses are being automated, hotels can be further computerized from the front desk to housekeeping. Technology is perched to transform hotel labor with self-check-in kiosks, automated kitchen prep, robot room-service delivery, and systemized precautionary safeguarding plans that diminish the need for human involvement. Technology needs to be observed as an operational strategy, and social interaction needs to remain at the very center and underlying foundation of the business, providing excellent service and delivering unique and customized experiences.