Hospitality and new technology in a post-pandemic world

How to innovate as a hotel post-pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the hospitality industry, with hotels being hit particularly hard. As travel restrictions and concerns about safety continue to linger, hotels will need to find new ways to innovate and adapt in order to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic world. In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that hotels can innovate in the post-COVID-19 era, for instance with virtual concierge technology.

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Emphasize safety and cleanliness

In a post-covid world, hotels will need to prioritize the safety and cleanliness of their guests in order to regain their trust and confidence. This can be done in several ways:

• Implementing strict cleaning protocols: Hotels should have a comprehensive cleaning protocol in place that is regularly followed and reviewed. This should include frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
• Providing PPE: Hotels should provide guests with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks and hand sanitizers. This shows that the hotel is taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of its guests.
• Contactless check-in and check-out: Hotels can use technology such as mobile apps and online booking systems to minimize physical contact between guests and staff. This reduces the risk of transmission and provides a more convenient experience for guests.
• Communicating safety measures: Hotels should clearly communicate the safety measures they have in place to their guests, both before and during their stay. This can include information about cleaning protocols, PPE, and social distancing measures.
• Staff training: Hotels should provide regular training for their staff on health and safety protocols, and ensure that they are properly equipped to follow these measures.

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Offer contactless check-in and check-out

Hotels should consider implementing contactless check-in and check-out procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of guests and staff. This could include offering online check-in and check-out options, or using mobile technologies such as QR codes or NFC (near-field communication) to streamline the process. By minimizing the need for guests to physically interact with staff or touch common surfaces, hotels can help reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, offering contactless check-in and check-out can also improve the guest experience by providing greater convenience and efficiency. By investing in technology and streamlining processes, hotels can demonstrate their commitment to the health and safety of their guests, while also enhancing the overall guest experience and helping to drive repeat business.

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Embrace flexible booking policies

Hotels will need to embrace flexible booking policies to address the changing travel landscape and to accommodate the uncertainty that many travelers are feeling. This may include offering free cancellations or changes to bookings, allowing guests to book without a deposit, or offering longer lead times for bookings. By offering these flexible options, hotels can help guests feel more comfortable and confident in their travel plans and reduce the risk of cancellations. In addition, this can also increase trust and customer loyalty, as guests will appreciate the understanding and accommodation of the hotel. Furthermore, offering flexible booking policies can also help hotels attract more guests and improve their overall revenue in a post-COVID world, where travel may still be cautious and uncertain.

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Focus on local and domestic tourism

To focus on local and domestic tourism in a post-covid world, hotels should focus on marketing and promoting their offerings to nearby communities and travelers within their own country. This can involve showcasing their unique location, highlighting the local attractions and experiences, and partnering with local businesses to offer special packages and deals. By focusing on domestic tourism, hotels can tap into a larger customer base and capitalize on the trend of people opting for staycations or travel closer to home in a post-covid world. Additionally, hotels can also offer virtual tours, videos, and other content that provides a glimpse into the local culture and attractions to entice domestic travelers to book a stay. Overall, by embracing local and domestic tourism, hotels can diversify their customer base and drive repeat business, especially as travelers look for more affordable and nearby travel options in a post-covid world.

Emphasize unique and personalized experiences

Hotels can drive repeat business and increase customer loyalty by emphasizing unique and personalized experiences. To do this, hotels can leverage technology to gather information about guest preferences and tailor the experience to their individual needs. This could include offering customized packages, creating unique activities or events, or personalizing the room experience with smart technology. Additionally, hotels can also focus on offering a high level of personalized service, such as concierge services and personalized recommendations for activities and dining. By offering a truly personalized experience, hotels can set themselves apart and create a memorable experience that guests will want to repeat.

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Explore new revenue streams

Hotels need to be proactive and innovative in exploring new revenue streams to stay ahead in the competitive market. This can include diversifying their offerings beyond just lodging rooms, such as providing food and beverage services, hosting events and activities, or offering unique experiences that appeal to guests. It is also important for hotels to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the industry and find ways to incorporate them into their business model. By exploring new revenue streams, hotels can not only increase their income but also differentiate themselves from the competition and attract new guests, ultimately driving repeat business and customer loyalty.

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New technology

New technology can play a crucial role in helping hotels adapt and thrive in a post-pandemic world. Some of the ways that technology can be used to enhance the guest experience and improve operations include:

• Contactless check-in and check-out: With contactless check-in and check-out, guests can check in and out of the hotel using their mobile device or online portal, minimizing the need for face-to-face interactions. This can help to reduce the risk of virus transmission and provide guests with a more convenient and efficient check-in experience.
• Automated cleaning and disinfection: To ensure that guests feel safe and secure, hotels can invest in new technologies such as UV-C light disinfection, automated cleaning robots and air purification systems that can help to keep the hotel clean and reduce the risk of virus transmission.
• Virtual tours and online classes: To generate revenue and attract guests while the property is closed, hotels can offer virtual tours and online classes, such as cooking, yoga, or language classes. This can help to create new revenue streams and provide guests with a unique and personalized experience.
• Personalized recommendations: Hotels can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to create personalized recommendations for guests, such as restaurant and activity recommendations based on their preferences. This can help to enhance the guest experience and improve guest satisfaction.
• Chatbots and virtual assistants: Hotels can use chatbots and virtual assistants to provide guests with 24/7 assistance, answer frequently asked questions, and help guests with tasks such as booking reservations or requesting extra amenities. This can help to improve the guest experience and reduce the workload on hotel staff.
• Remote monitoring and control systems: Hotels can use remote monitoring and control systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This can include using smart devices and sensors to control lighting, temperature, and other systems, as well as using cameras and other security systems to monitor the property remotely.

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Concluding

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the hospitality industry, but with the right strategies and innovations, hotels can survive and thrive in the post-pandemic world. By emphasizing safety and cleanliness, offering contactless check-in and check-out, embracing flexible booking policies, focusing on local and domestic tourism, emphasizing unique and personalized experiences, and exploring new revenue streams, hotels can adapt to the new reality and continue to provide guests with memorable travel experiences. Technology can be a powerful tool for hotels to improve operations and enhance the guest experience in a post-pandemic world. By implementing these new technologies, hotels can help to keep guests safe and provide a more convenient and personalized experience, which can lead to increased guest satisfaction and revenue.