Hotel Tech Evolution l HN World panel Live hosted by techtalk.travel
Channel: techtalk.travel
Date: 2021-03-18

Hotel Technology During Crises, Does it innovate?

Last year techtalk.travel released an infographic that highlighted the last 100 years of hotel technology in our series "The History of Hotel & Travel Technology". 
https://www.techtalk.travel/post/history-hotel-travel-technology-infographic

In many cases, we've seen hotel distribution and technology change during or after a global crisis. But is this a trend that will continue? And what could be the innovation from these crises?

Up until the early 2000s, managing the guest experience was still a very human to human experience, yet today the experience happens primarily through technology. Human interactions still hold value, but with the incredible growth of the internet, smartphones and an always-on lifestyle, people are no longer willing to wait very long for their desired outcome.

Hotels have so many touch points where customers interact with the property and staff, and this is what has set a hotel experience apart from a retail experience, hoteliers recognise this. They excel at delivering guest service. Yet more so than ever in today's climate, we need technology to facilitate many expectations that guests are not only used to but also expect. Today's hotel guests expect a quality experience from before, during and after their stay.

We all agree that people will want to travel again as soon as possible for holidays and business trips. Until travel resembles anything to pre-covid times we have a chance for innovation.

Looking beyond the obvious needs to support health concerns, 'contactless technology', how should we prioritize the data and innovate from what is available - what innovation will/should come from the current crisis?