There is no denying the fact that COVID-19 hit the hotel industry with the power and speed of a category five
hurricane. But the industry is getting back on its feet and preparing for the inevitable rebound. And the key to a successful rebound lies in technology.
According to post-pandemic eConsultancy research, social distancing guidelines are likely to remain in place even after lockdown restrictions are lifted. And hospitality technology that limits face-to-face interactions and automation will be crucial to a hotel’s recovery plan.
In response to the pandemic, 81 percent of hospitality executives said they are considering or already using
contactless payments. Another two thirds are considering or already using self-service check-in procedures, and nearly 60 percent are considering or already making the change to smartphone-activated room keys. Hoteliers also believe self-service technology solutions — delivered to guest’s personal devices, via kiosks or the in-room television — will play a significant role in their recovery process. These same interests are shared by travelers, with 71 percent agreeing or strongly agreeing that they would be willing to stay at a hotel that implemented these types of services.
Even before COVID-19, Oracle Hospitality’s Hotel 2025 report showed that roughly three fourths of hoteliers predict that technology such as biometrics and voice-activated controls for lighting and room temperature will be mainstream by 2025. And not far down the road we’ll be seeing more use of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and facial recognition technology.
The pandemic has served as a catalyst. It has propelled the need for these innovative technologies to the forefront. A hotel’s recovery will be tied to how quickly they can implement them to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs and meet guest and staff needs. The success of these new solutions depend largely on the IT infrastructure hoteliers put in place to support them.
Can your IT infrastructure handle the hospitality recovery?
