Technology is advancing at a faster rate than ever, and this has been fuelled further by the Covid pandemic. Thus, hotels and accommodation centres in the Hospitality sector have been forced to get aboard the train of contactless technology.
In this article, we analyse 5 technological trends that have impacted hotels in 2021 affected by the coronavirus which will be decisive in the reactivation of tourism. Among the advantages of integrating the new technology in accommodation centres are savings for companies, improved amenities, respect for the environment and, as always, the challenge of placing customers and their experiences at centre stage. Let's start!
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Radio frequency technologies
Do the acronyms RFID and NFC sound familiar to you? Perhaps the names are not as familiar as their use, as we use these radio frequency technologies on a daily basis: in proximity devices as common as mobile phones, in cards linked to an access control system and in the electronic locks of hotels.
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Smart keys
Our next technological trend is closely related to the previous one: smart keys for hotel rooms. These can be found on cards, key rings, bracelets or even integrated into mobile phones, and they open hotel doors using Bluetooth technology. Although their main function is usually for guests to enter their room, it also allows them to access premises for which they are authorised, such as when reserving a gym or a spa session. They can even go one step further with this accreditation and actually open devices integrated in rooms, such as hotel safe.
Similarly, these devices are extremely useful for managing staff access to certain areas and limiting them to certain hours (e.g. to rooms only during cleaning hours).
Here, you can discover a little more about everything that these increasingly common digital keys in the hospitality sector can do.
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Mobile app for an interconnected hotel
More and more hotels are developing apps to improve the hotel stay experience. These mobile applications can manage reservations (ideal for returning customers who can obtain a benefit from this loyalty) or directly access the room with the mobile, without going to Reception, using the aforementioned smart keys.
Suggestions for customised visits in the hotel environment, notices, surveys, service reservations or even Reception communications can be entered in the application.
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Energy saving sensors
Motion sensors and economisers not only contribute to significant energy savings in the hospitality sector facilities, but also reinforce their commitment to a more sustainable future. Along with technology, ecological and environmentally friendly solutions are among the most important trends in tourism.
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Entertainment platforms
Guests are increasingly using their personal devices such as smartphones, tablets or laptops. This trend has left classic hotel room equipment (e.g. a radio, clock, alarm clock or piped music) behind in the background.
Television is still an important value for guests, and especially smart TVs that can access audiovisual entertainment platforms. Some hotel companies even have their own entertainment catalogue; this is increasingly valued by guests.
And, although we are still far from virtual reality being a part of daily life in the hospitality sector, some hotels have already tried to introduce this technological environment to offer unique experiences to their customers.