This year has seen lots of futuristic technology come onto the scene, and the travel industry has not been immune. Due to its location-specific nature, travel may end up being the biggest area for beacon technology to shine. Beacons are small wireless sensors that can be placed almost anywhere. For hotels, this could mean placement near the bar, the front door, or the spa. The beacons communicate with individual devices as they move along the location. This means that, as a guest moves through the hotel property, their smartphone can pick up signals from the beacons and communicate with them. This can bring a new dimension to a virtual concierge. A guest may receive a promotional offer as they walk by the spa or restaurant, or perhaps pull up a map as they hit the hiking trails. Other applications could include virtually guided tours, contactless payments, automated check-ins, and even content personalized to the particular guest. Later this month, our own beacon expert will be sharing his insights on beacon use in the hospitality industry and beyond. Stay tuned!
The sharing economy seems to have wiggled its way into every part of the travel industry. For better or worse, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in spite of the cautionary tales that crop up every week or so. People like the idea of crowd-sourcing – whether for products or experiences, I think it lends an opportunity to support something you believe in, feel like a part of something bigger, and contribute in a new way. The main draws of this type of travel are local immersion, unique experiences, and collaboration – all, of course, on a budget. If turnabout is fair play, hoteliers can surely wiggle right into a few new markets by borrowing a few of those ideas. Local Immersion – Perhaps the most obvious answer is getting with local merchants. Be sure your staff knows where the best places are to eat, shop, and have fun. A virtual concierge can put all of the best local spots in the hands of your staff AND your guests. Aside from that, get to know local artists. Display paintings and sculptures in your lobby and guest rooms, use local musicians for live or even ambient music, and replace mass-market …
Our friends at Software Advice, known as a free source for reviews of hotel management technology, released a report this week on how US customers feel about technology offerings in hotels with these key findings: A combined 60 percent of respondents are “more likely” to choose a hotel that allows guests to check in and open doors with a smartphone than a hotel that doesn’t. On average, 13 percent of smartwatch owners ages 18 to 34 are “much more likely” to book a hotel with smartwatch technology than one without. A combined 37 percent of respondents are at least “moderately likely” to choose a hotel with lobby technology, such as touchscreens and check-in kiosks, over one without. A total of 41 percent are likely, to varying degrees, to choose a hotel with facial recognition technology that can identify guests and enhance personalization. Forty percent of respondents say that the primary benefit of hospitality technology should be to reduce travel costs. As our Head of Strategy and Alignment, Gene Hopper, says, today’s travelers have come to expect a certain level of new technology in hotels. Consumers who are growing accustomed to doing anything from shopping to ordering pizza through mobile apps …
Today’s post was written by Kacey Butcher, Monscierge Process and Administration. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Communication is a tool we use each day to overcome challenges, share joy, and shape our emotions. Without communication, we are similar to a ship without a sail. Therefore, how we communicate directly impacts our actions and reactions when engaging with others. As consumers, we appreciate great service. Receiving such could ultimately determine how we communicate about that entity. If we have a bad dining experience, we may share negative communication about the pain points of the experience. Conversely, when the experience is positive, we rave praise and become loyal patrons. Lately, you find companies such as Uber and Airbnb having the ability to disrupt the travel industry due to the direction of communication. Consumers are increasingly sampling and then recommending new travel-oriented platforms with the latest methods of communication, thereby expanding their portfolio of services offered. For example: Booking a reservation through Airbnb allows for the traveler and the host to interact directly with one another, jump-starting the process of building trust and loyalty – and the likelihood of return bookings. Both parties are given the choices for communicating using SMS, email, voice-call …
Staff retention is an important aspect of hospitality management. Team members are typically hard working and dedicated while maintaining calm and composure with guests. Not everyone fits the bill, which can lead to high turnover rates and contention in the ranks. So how do you keep up the team spirit if the team members are constantly changing? Recognize and reward your leaders – First and foremost, learn to recognize the characteristics that keep people in the industry. They tend to stick around for a long time provided they feel that their talent is appreciated. Leaders should have clear expectations for their team, set a good example, and follow through. Develop new leaders – Don’t get stuck in a rut of relying solely on the same few go-to staff members. Reliable leaders should not feel displaced by new staff, but newer team members should feel as if they have a place and a shot at moving up. Encourage your team to share their ideas and provide further training as responsibilities increase. Cultivate staff engagement – `Thorough training gives new staff members the confidence to shine, but be sure to encourage your leadership team to engage these new members as well. Some …