Tourism Trend - Technology in Hotels
https://travel.usnews.com/gallery/6-hotel-trends-to-watch-in-2018?slide=3
In this article, technology in hotel rooms is an emerging trend in hospitality as hotel companies are adding more features involving technology in their amenities and apps. Most modern and popular hotel companies now have apps that allow their guest to check in through their phone. The Hilton Hotels created an app called ‘Hilton Honors’ which allows guests to check-in, choose their room and unlock their hotel room door - all in one place. They are currently working on allowing guests to adjust their room lighting, temperature and TV all from the app. Marriott international, recently partnered with Amazon's ‘Alexa for Hospitality’, a voice activated assistant specializing in hotel amenities & services. Guests will be able to play music, order room services, control in-room temperature or lighting, find local attractions and restaurants, calling and setting alarms using just their voice, from the comfort of their room.
These features are beneficial and more targeted towards the younger generation as technology is part of their daily lives. Having the ability to adjust room amenities and order hotel service through their mobile device results guests to have a relaxing and positive experience.
Although the technology being incorporated into hotels is useful, they are not for everyone as some people are not familiar with technology. With that being said, technology is not reliable all the time which could result guests having a negative experience and impacting the hotels reputation.
Being tech-savvy myself, I would appreciate having these high-tech amenities in a hotel I’m staying in. I always ensure I have my phone with me so having an app that allows me to unlock my hotel room door is a relieve not having to carry around a key card. I believe having the convenience of services and control of my room amenities through my phone in my hotel room will make my experience more enjoyable.
Guests at hotels now have the option to use their mobile devices or voice to control the amenities and services in their room instead of using the traditional hotel phone and remote. This allows hotel companies to improve their operations and ensure efforts into customizing and personalizing their guests stay. However, not everyone is tech-savvy and technology is not always inefficient.