Technology has changed the world in so many different ways. With almost every type of information being easily accessible, it has made it possible for all industries to grow. Technological advancements have been visible throughout the different industries in the last couple of years. Even the hospitality industry has seen a shift in the manner of communication with the client, as well as the reach thanks to technology. The digital space, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and many more developments have made a shift in the hospitality industry.
There are various different ways in which technology has helped evolve the hospitality industry. Take smartphones, for instance, it is so simple and easy to gain any kind of knowledge just by downloading a couple of apps. Smartphones have been transitional to the hospitality industry for many reasons. It is so easy to look for “hotels near me” on Google or book a private villa at one of Bali’s finest luxury resorts. The current generation likes to have fast-paced solutions, this is why voice search and AI is consistently growing in all fields. Thanks to the availability of the resources available online, the hospitality industry have a wider audience. The ability to use search engine optimization (SEO), allows hotels and other industry members to be directly linked to their audience. A lot of apps and websites are also acknowledging the recent technological innovations as well as the current generation’s willingness to travel and explore.
Moreover, thanks to technology platforms like Airbnb have opened doors to a whole new level of hospitality. 42% of Airbnb users have said they replaced traditional hotels with Airbnb, which definitely puts a lot of pressure on hotels. People have more options, and hence more hotels are working to accommodate their necessities. One of the many ways in which hotels are leveraging technology to create a better outcome is by creating “smart-hotels”. Due to the increased competition, the hospitality industry is bringing forward all types of different possibilities with technology. For instance, Marriott Hotels launched a connection with Amazon’s Echo Alexa. This demonstrates the manner in which all industries are utilizing the advancements the digital era has to offer and creating the best possible space for hospitality. Some hotels are even utilizing technology to understand the sleep patterns of customers or giving them the opportunity to customize their room according to their preferences. Technology is allowing many innovations in the hospitality industry.
Digital innovations and competition alike are allowing great changes to occur in the hospitality industry. A lot of the big names in the industry, like Hilton, are investing a lot of money into technological advancements. The focus on digital awareness in hospitality industries is growing immensely, and it can be expected that more “smart-hotels” will come into existence in the coming years.