How is technology changing the hotel industry?

That's the question we're going to answer throughout this post. Nowadays, smart technologies are everywhere, from tablets in the palms of our hands to vacuum cleaners to smart bathroom mirrors that look like something out of a science fiction movie. But technology really is progressing to that point, and the hotel industry is not far behind! In fact, the hospitality industry at large stands in a great position to offer visitors enhanced services and amenities by using smart technologies in creative ways. Still, you might wonder what kind of influence new technology has on the hotel business overall, so the following frequently asked questions and answers will outline the most notable trends.

Why is technology important in hotels?

Technology has been part and parcel of the hotel industry’s growth for decades. You’ve just become accustomed to perks like keycard-enabled rooms and 24-7 high definition security surveillance, and we’re not even talking about the different apps and other bells and whistles you can use to book a stay anywhere in the world. Yet, there hasn't been much technology invested in the hotel rooms themselves. Right now, there's a prime opportunity for trendsetters to take the lead and give guests something unique like more touchless-enabled technology, which we'll get into later on. From the beginning of the tech boom, hotels have uniquely benefited from the ability to customize services to what guests expect while also receiving feedback about what other services guests would like to have. Whether it's a review on social media or an online survey, technology has allowed the hotel industry to better understand what people want, and that's why it's so vital moving forward.

What are next-generation hotel technology applications?

As mentioned above, if you've never seen a new smart mirror in person, they're truly something to behold, especially the more oversized products. But other technologies are on the way up too. Hanging a smart mirror for the sake of displaying one isn't going to enhance a guest's experience unless you find a way to integrate it with other services. For example, what if a guest doesn't know how to use the mirror's display at all? It's an interesting problem to have, so as a solution, next-gen hotel technology is making greater use of voice automation and voice-enabled ordering services. Speaking to software is one thing, but having the technology do what you ask is another, so the integration aspect is most interesting about a smart hotel. We may not be to the point of talking to fully automated robots that can hold a conversation, but we’re getting there day by day. Right now, the software that powers artificial intelligence platforms is in the larger consumer market; you just know them by the names Siri, Alexa, and Google. Besides, you might be wondering what smart hotel technology is in the first place.

What is smart tech in hotels?

Since there’s so much information online about smart devices, this question begs a reliable answer. Essentially, smart hotel technology includes devices like voice-activated thermostats and remote controls. Not so long ago, none of those features existed until the cloud changed everything we know about delivering software as a service through a mobile device. It’s so ubiquitous now that we don’t really give the layers of software and applications a second thought.

Example of Transworld Smart Tech Products - Smart TVs for Hotels

How does it impact other technologies used in hotels?

Today, any hotel chain can use up-to-date technology to enhance services, and that’s the exciting part. The big corporate brands don’t have a monopoly on smart hotels because it’s widely available to any business-wise enough to use smart technology. Concerning its impact on other technologies you see in hotels, the idea is to keep getting better at seamlessly integrating services. For instance, ordering your TV to change the channel is one thing, but it's even better if you can call your TV to order a late-night snack without getting up to use the phone. It won't be delivered by a robot yet, but the convenience is almost as good.

What are the top trends for technology-enabled hotels?

At the time of this writing, there are two significant trends worth mentioning: the proliferation of touchless devices for self-service and the use of augmented reality in very inventive ways. Health and safety are top of mind for the hospitality industry because guests expect additional services to lower the risk of contracting illnesses like COVID-19. So, the industry is getting creative rather than spending time wiping every single surface throughout the day. Touchless self-service devices in common areas appear to be on the rise. The catch is that not every guest has a smartphone that can interact with all of these devices like smart coffee makers, but we're getting closer every day.

For touchless devices to really take off on the open market, smartphones have to start including RFID as a standard feature, and right now, only high-end, expensive phones use it. If that wasn't already exciting enough, augmented reality is making a show as well. Guests can book a hotel from anywhere to anywhere in the world, but now specific applications can let them see the room as if they were inside of it! It's a type of augmented reality that's growing in the hotel business, and the possibilities are endless when you think about integrating AR with smart devices. Overall, those are the most frequently asked questions about smart technology in hotels and how it's changing the hospitality industry for the better. As 2022 comes along, it'll be fascinating to see if these trends gain momentum or if they fizzle out.

Do you have questions about smart hotel products or other hospitality products?

Reach out to our hotel tech experts directly. We're happy to help with any questions you have for us.