The hospitality sector is going through its toughest hour, but there is uplifting news that the COVID19 infection may just be peaking in several US cities. While many are demanding that the lockdown be lifted, hospitality is one of the sectors that will need to rethink their entire business models.
Hotels & lodging providers will have to revisit their entire guest experience to ascertain critical human interactions & touchpoints. These will then need to be either removed or automated to ensure the guest satisfaction score remains the same.
Even with a threatening economic outlook and fear of closure, many hospitality businesses are adopting smart technologies to replace many of their services performed by humans. We take a look today at 3 crucial technologies that hotel owners will increasingly deploy in a post-COVID19 world.
3 Essential Technologies Hotels Will Adopt Post-COVID19
As social distancing in hospitality becomes a norm, and people begin adopting constant hand sterilization and a no-touch regime around them, technology is the most efficient and attractive way to assist guests in hotels.
Though there are multiple applications of technology that we can mention here, we will look into three of the most relevant and applicable technology integrations for hotels to combat the COVID19 infection.
Mobile & Self-Check Machines
The mobile phone and specifically the mobile app will lead the way for hotel bookings, check-ins, and checkouts in the near future. Contactless self-check-in machines will also begin to feature more as travelers will prefer social distancing from staff.
Mobile apps will begin to feature more in even the smallest hotels to keep constantly connected with guests. Completing room service orders, housekeeping, laundry, spas, and gyms will also have to be integrated with apps to ensure the guest can have their entire experience through their phone.
Self-check-in kiosks have been a part of hospitality since the early 1990s. Their ability to quickly onboard and lodge guests are phenomenal and in a post-COVID19 world, they will be the most crucial aspect of the hotel guest experience.
Robotics
May it be the Westing Houston Medical Center using their brand new sterilization bot, or the Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel Hotel’s intuitive service robots team, robots are taking over hospitality.
Yes, there are concierge bots, luggage bots, and butler bots that will become a common occurrence in the mid-scale and upper scale hospitality sector. Robots will substitute many human performed tasks in almost every US industry reports Forbes.
Hygiene Signage
The AHLA has already made the following mandatory in their recent industry guidelines:
- Remaining Six Feet Apart
- Contactless Check-in
- Self-parking Options
- Keeping Housekeepers Out Of Occupied Guest Rooms Unless Specifically Requested
- Availability Of Hand Sanitizer Stations
- Health And Hygiene Signage In High-traffic Areas
Health and hygiene signage will be a very important and strategic step towards accomplishing a safe environment in hospitality. The right message will be necessary to reinforce to ensure all guests, staff, and other stakeholders are actively practicing the tips outlined by the AHLA.
Placement of signage screens, their effectiveness, and their content will all have a meaningful effect in public areas. Not only will it help educate all travelers and guests, but also be a great social effort from hospitality companies.
Conclusion
We sign off wishing all our readers the best of health and a salute to all the medical personnel fighting the COVID19 virus around the world.
Until next time, see you again soon.
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