The hotel sector is increasingly adapting to consumer demands and transforming its offer to meet their needs. Creating unique experiences is the way to stand out and differentiate yourself from the competition, and this is achieved thanks to innovation and technology, key factors in creating a unique customer experience.
But this has only just begun. The next few years will be one of great advances in technology, innovation, sustainability and inclusiveness. Today we discuss some of the innovation trends that many hotels are already implementing.
Towards a contactless experience
Contactless operations are becoming increasingly important, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
The hotel industry has had to quickly adapt to the current context so that its guests find the fewest possible points of physical contact, thus ensuring the safest possible stay.
To achieve this goal, the largest possible number of digital contact points will be generated at each stage: before, during and after their stay.
- Option to check-in and check-out online
- Mobile keys and room locks connected to the cloud, making traditional access cards disappear
- Have instant means of communication with the staff, such as IPTV in the room or the hotel’s mobile applications
- Leaving cash payment behind to innovate by offering express check out
Big Data
There is a huge database of Big Data that can be used to make better sales and marketing decisions.
Many hotels and hotel chains today already use Big Data in their strategies: they extract information from the data they handle on a daily basis and take advantage of it.
Anticipating results, knowing the behavior of existing customers and attracting new ones are just some of the advantages that analytics and Big Data tools provide to your business, in addition to being able to make decisions that have a positive impact on customer experience.
Chatbots
Chatbots are undoubtedly an essential part of any hotel’s marketing strategy. They can assist customers, answer frequently asked questions 24 hours a day, and encourage direct bookings. With the help of AI, chatbots can handle the most common queries and direct guests to the appropriate department quickly. There are booking agent chatboxes, customer service chatboxes…
Quality Wi-Fi
When the traveler is going to choose a hotel to stay, it is very clear: he wants a quality Wi-Fi service. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you have the need to be connected to the Internet from the place you are staying. Offering this service in your hotel will allow you to increase your customers and retain them, increase consumption in the hotel and attract business travelers.
In addition, offering a quality Wi-Fi service in your hotel will allow you to know the location of your clients, have personalized communication during their stay and improve your online presence and reputation.
Sustainability as a central axis
Sustainability is one of the most current trends in tourism. The development of bed or bath linens that are made with recycled and recyclable materials are some of these trends, creating a cyclical circuit that makes the most of resources and produces the minimum of waste.
The idea is to move towards a more circular economy, in which products have a much longer useful life, both because of their reusability and because of the possibilities for recycling. Reducing the use of paper is just as important, which is why we are already seeing how some hotels offer digital platforms for magazines and newspapers for the enjoyment of their customers.
Virtual reality integration
Within the hotel industry, this technological tool has become very important, due to the amount of information that the client needs before booking a hotel room. By illustrating the rooms, amenities and services the hotel has to offer, guests have a clear idea of what to expect during their stay.
Virtual reality is a great marketing tool that increases the time spent on your website, as well as the conversion rates. You can offer a virtual reality tour and 360-degree video of your hotel facilities and rooms, which is very beneficial during the booking process. It helps build customer loyalty as customers know what to expect and therefore there are fewer dissatisfied customers.
