In this post, we have covered the top 10 innovation in the hospitality industry ever.
Innovation in the hotel industry is important because it has the capacity to transform the industry positively.
Over the past few years, inventions in the hospitality industry have developed at a fast-moving pace.
Although most service providers and hospitality-related services are doing their best to keep up with these rapid changes, new technology has helped the industry to grow.
Also, look at our article on the Most innovative Hotel Concepts in the world if you want to turn your attention to hotel concepts and design.
Here are some of the top 10 innovations in the hospitality industry over the last decade or so:
1. 5 Amazing Hospitality Technology Innovation
Technology has been a blessing for the hospitality industry.
Post-COVID recovery of the hospitality and travel industry would be depending a lot on technological innovation.
Some of the key innovations in hospitality driven by tech are:
- Artificial intelligence in Hospitality
- Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality
- The Robot concierge
- Blockchain
- 5G/6G (Mobile Technology)
Check out the post on amazing hospitality technology innovation to know more about these. Moving on to the next set of excellent hospitality innovations.
2. Cloud / SaaS (Software as a Service) in Hospitality
SaaS has helped to reduce administrative and IT issues, particularly for small hospitality businesses that cannot afford to invest in in-house technical help.
SaaS has definitely transformed the Hospitality industry. Artificial intelligence is coming as an offshoot of this which by many is being considered as innovation as important as the wheel.
Even budget hospitality establishments can afford fully automated systems to run and manage their organisation.
3. Improved In-Room Technology And Self-Service Tech as an innovation in the Hotel Industry
Nowadays, there is no shortage of in-room technology that can make the guest experience better.
Smart in-room technology is taking the hospitality industry by storm.
These smart in-room tech reshaping the hotel industry include mobile keys, nifty devices that allow guests to unlock their room doors using their smartphones; in-room tablets; smart check-in & check-out systems; wireless charging pads; smart drapes & lighting; smart TVs, virtual reality and much more.
From phone-activated keys to being able to use your tablet to control the temperature, the future of the hospitality industry looks brighter than ever.
Some Innovative hotel concepts have properly wrapped up in-room technology with imagination to come with lovely examples of how innovation is changing the hospitality industry.
Wearable technology has been making rounds in several high-end hotels across the globe and is by far one of the best inventions in the hotel industry.
Wearable tech such as keycards, both for employees and guests, can collect data such as the most frequented locations by your guest so that service can be tailored.
Another super interesting innovation in the hospitality industry is the use of virtual reality in hotel rooms.
So, instead of a bucket of fries or a sandwich, you can now order a virtual trip through room service. These services are pioneered by Marriott and are in the beta phase for a lot of hotel chains. There are a lot of other things in line and the feature would not limit you to just local sightseeing.
Sounds insane, isn’t it? But, that’s what the future holds for us. This is definitely one of the top technology trends in the hotel industry in 2023 and beyond.
Have a look at the below video to check how the Hotel Industry is evolving through innovation with the example of Charlotte Mariott.
Self Service Technology is growing in importance within the hospitality industry.
The hospitality industry has come a long way when it comes to automation of services – and with good reason. Today’s tech-savvy guests prefer tech over human interaction.
That’s why automated check-ins and check-out options are now the norm.
From browser-based applications to mobile apps, service automation is one of the most innovative products in the hotel industry.
4. Easy check-in
Aside from the traditional check-in experience, technology has made it easier for guests to check in, inquire about their rooms or upgrades as well and obtain RFID keys.
Technology has played a key role and Easy check-in is one of the things which is simple yet one of the most important innovations in the hospitality industry over the past decade.
No more hassles now with technology-backed smooth checking as one of the key trends in the Hospitality Industry.
5. Keyless Entries- Smartphone Operated Room
With free companion apps in the market, it is now possible to control your room remotely through your phone or tablet to turn on the TV, browse and order for food, and so on.
It is one of the best hospitality technology that has already been in operation at a lot of hotels now.
When air travel is already mobile, why should the hotel industry hold back? Smartphones can easily act as a key, remote control and voice command operating device.
Not only does this enhance the user experience but also, drives down the cost for the hotel business in the longer term.
It also helps in getting key information about the customer that can be used for personalized marketing offers and services.
A lot of hotels are now allowing everything to be operated through apps.
Right from check-in- checkout to managing your lighting. Right from cooling/heating to ordering food. It’s all possible through one app now. You would see most of the big hotel chains implementing the app facilities in the near future while it would be a few more years for the rest of the hotel industry to catch up.
The smartphone-operated rooms feature is definitely one of the most interesting new technologies in hotel rooms. Think about smart thermostats, wi-fi control and several other facilities that these smartphone apps can achieve for a better guest experience.
6. Be your own concierge (Or let Siri be your Concierge and butler)
Apps available for both Android and iOS can now allow guests to access a range of services including booking appointments for spas, setting wake-up calls, ordering a taxi, etc.
‘Siri’ is a smart virtual assistant on Apple’s iPhones and will soon be seen in your hotel rooms. Isn’t that interesting? Yes, this is one of the most interesting technologies in hotel rooms of the future.
Is there anything that is beyond expectation? Voice-responding hotel rooms are definitely not one of them. Now, Apple’s ‘Siri’ will soon be seen acting as a virtual assistant even in your hotel rooms. Aloft Hotels with the help of Apple’s ‘Siri’ has started providing voice-responding services to guests as a pilot project.
If your hotel room is too cold or the TV is up too loud, you can just tell your hotel room what you want it to do. So, if you want to increase room temperature or want to order some food and wine, do so just by commanding your room.
With ‘Amazon Echo’ already living in a few hotel rooms, this is going to be another milestone in technological advancements in hospitality.
Are you aware of the Project Jetson with Apple’s ‘Siri’ as the virtual Butler / Virtual Assistant? Aloft Hotels, a Starwood brand, now offers a new voice-activated guest room service that is certainly the wave of the future.
The project is called Project Jetson, and guests will stay in high-tech rooms that, with the help of Apple’s assistant Siri, will respond to their commands. Project Jetson is currently available at the company’s Boston Seaport and Santa Clara locations.
The system can be accessed via a person’s iPhone or the in-room iPad. Once the device is connected to the room, they can turn on and off the TV by asking Siri. It will also control the air conditioner, GPS, lights, etc. Guests can learn where the closest restaurants and stores are by asking their rooms for advice.
Aloft has plans to bring more features with Project Jetson 2.0 such as room service orders.
7. Innovative Workflow Management tools in the Hospitality Industry
We live in an era of continuous innovation. Thus, we only get excited about hi-tech and transformational innovation.
Technology also has introduced some incremental innovation in the hospitality industry.
Workflow management tools are a great example of such incremental innovation.
Image Courtesy- Forum IT
Workflow management tools have become important because they help to reduce instances of dropped guests.
Workflow management tools that have the power to communicate across departments can enhance overall effectiveness.
8. Better ways to compare hotel prices and Location-based tech
It is now easier than ever to track down the best deals with the help of Big Data and innovative sites that help consumers make their decisions.
Such sites allow guests to filter hotels by location, price, and proximity to the airport.
Best Travel Websites around the world are making the best out of this concept which has made the travellers the true winners through the innovation tide.
When it comes to top innovation in the hospitality industry, location-based services are making waves with guests.
Although much of this nifty tech is in its infancy, we can expect them to help staff locate guests without much hassle.
This is certainly one of the top innovative products of the hotel industry to keep an eye on.
9. Free Wi-Fi in hotel rooms and SIP-DECT
Now, will the innovation list for the hospitality industry be complete without this one? Old is gold you know. No list of innovations would be complete without fast internet.
The internet has affected every corner of our lives so much so that guests will not stay at a hotel if they cannot access the Wi-Fi.
This innovation has now been commoditised and most of the hotel now provides Wi-Fi for free. It’s not even a few years since hotels used to charge a hefty price for Wi-Fi usage.
What is SIP-DECT?
This is a top innovation in the hospitality industry much like setups found in fixed networks.
SIP-DECT, however, is a mobile-enabling technology that offers hotel works sizzling features without tying them to a fixed location.
Picture something like VoWLAN – SIP-DECT is much more robust and agile.
10. Social Listening and The Sharing Economy
Because of the sharing economy, people are now renting directly from others.
The peer-to-peer networks have changed the hospitality industry as it has placed more pressure on hotels and guesthouses.
Companies like Airbnb are changing how the hospitality industry used to tackle travellers.
Other travel aggregators are following the model and travellers come out as the victors.
Also, social listening technologies are reshaping the hospitality industry like never before.
Since most customers are already on social media platforms, hoteliers can get “an inside scoop.”
This way, they can offer personalised services.
Expect this to become more and more visible in the future.
Conclusion
Here you go, a quick collection of the top innovations in the hospitality industry over the past couple of decades.
Aloft’s Project Jetson isn’t the first Jetson-like foray for the company. There are lots of other hotel industry innovations that you might find extremely interesting.
These hi-tech projects have worked tirelessly to change rented rooms into a dream world for the techies.
For instance, the Cupertino, Calif building has a robot butler as well as mirrors that have a built-in touchscreen display, which is on trial at the Newark, New Jersey Element, a sister brand of Aloft.
There are other interesting projects going around like the automated hotels in Tokyo or Virtual Reality by Marriott.
Future of the Hospitality Industry is bright and is being driven by technology and customer focus.
Information Technology in the Hotel Industry is driving the change and Siri in the Hotel room is one of the many projects of artificial intelligence and machine learning within the hospitality industry.
‘Siri’ in itself is an interesting project by Apple which has made a virtual assistant available to one and all. Virtual Butlers or Virtual concierge services in Hotels would be a great addition for Siri.
The next version is gearing up for incorporation of ‘artificial intelligence’ which will be more intelligent and adaptive. With the next version of ‘Siri’ by Apple or Alexa by Amazon in your rooms, you never know of the possibilities that lie ahead as far as innovation in hospitality is concerned.
We have of course missed a few related to enhancing service within the hospitality industry but, we promise to keep updating this space with interesting innovations in the hospitality industry.
