Standing out in the hospitality industry may be a daunting task.
There`s no shortage of resorts, hotels, guests houses, and restaurants offering similar services to the numerous travelers whose demands are rising (check out the Customer satisfaction trends for 2019).
Simply put, tourists are looking for unique and personalized experiences. The Internet of Things (IoT) can be one possible solution – helping you meet these expectations.
Here`s how IoT can fundamentally transform the hospitality business paradigm, according to a research paper published by Alcatel Lucent Enterprise:
What`s IoT?
IoT refers to the process of networking between physical objects. The networking process is being realized through the use of devices (sensors and other types of devices) that can collect and transmit information about real-time activities in the given environment.
4 Benefits of IoT for Hospitality
IoT can help hospitality businesses:
1. Improve guest experiences by offering new services and amenities.
2. Optimize processes by improving productivity and reducing costs.
3. Gain insights into guests` needs – the latter can be used by businesses to offer tailor-made services.
4. Monitor the infrastructure and create efficient processes.
IoT use cases in Hospitality
Any real-life implementations of IoT technology in the hospitality sector? Check out the list provided by Alcatel`s paper:
Autonomous delivery robots
Robots that use sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to do rook deliveries and operate elevators like this robot concierge in Singapore:
5 more use cases of robots taking over hospitality can be found here.
Personal interactive information stations
Smart devices might turn ordinary mirrors into personal interactive information stations that allow guests to manage hotel room functions and different types of entertainment.
But how does it work?
For example, guests can connect with hotel services and access information (including traffic and local news) at the touch of a button.
Connected thermostats
Hotels can adjust temperatures with the use of IoT devices to reduce the unnecessary costs associated with cooling or heating vacant rooms. Additionally, technology could help link thermostats with sensors that could help turn off the air conditioning automatically when a guest opens a window.
Preventative maintenance systems
Sensors can monitor appliances and equipment and notify the maintenance unit before a problem occurs.
Any challenges?
The deployment of IoT technology involves unprecedented flows of data. This may mean greater risks of cybersecurity threats as the proliferation of connected devices expands the surface of the network.
For this reason, researchers warn that hospitality businesses using IoT need to secure a cost-effective network infrastructure that can handle big flows of data.
Share your experiences
Have you employed or do you plan to employ IoT technology at your accommodation property? What`re the main challenges standing in the way? Feel free to share in the comments down below.
