It’s hard to find an industry that hasn’t been disrupted by technology and the hotel industry is no different. To not only survive but thrive, today’s hotels are coming up with creative solutions to remain in-demand by savvy travellers. That’s why the current trends of the hotel industry are so heavily focused on using technology to enhance the travellers’ experience — without losing sight of other efforts and initiatives to satisfy customers.
At Centennial College’s Hospitality Operations Management program, students not only learn the latest trends but also the staples to launch careers in this field. The skills students gain at this community college in Toronto offer them a broad overview that will prepare them to work in a wide range of areas such as front desk management, housekeeping operations, food and beverage management, and human resources planning.
If you’re interested in this area of the hospitality industry, start out by checking out these latest trends and then apply to Centennial’s program to turn your interest into a career.
Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
While, at first, it may not be obvious how this tech can be used in the hotel industry, according to Trivago’s business blog, augmented reality and virtual reality has huge potential in hospitality. For example, when it comes to marketing, these two technologies can give travellers a 3D glimpse into their hotel room, the property, amenities and surrounding environment. This will help to not only differentiate the hotel but also assist travellers with making an informed decision about their stay.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
If research and advisory company Gartner is correct, by 2020 chatbots will take over 85 percent of customer service interactions. Because this has the capacity to reduce costs and provide 24/7 service, it isn’t surprising that virtual assistants will play a role in hotels. In fact, according to G2 Crowd, 57 percent of U.S. travellers want brands to use their data to personalize their travel recommendations and experiences. And, according to the same source, 36 percent of these people would be willing to pay more for such a personalized experience.
Additionally, while still very much in its infancy, the use of robots will continue to increase as a novelty with robots delivering food items or putting away luggage. Other tech trends include the use of items such as tablets, motorized curtains and automatic lighting, which are readily available and already a part of many people’s daily lives.
Going Green
These days, sustainability is more than a buzz-word and going green is more than a catch-phrase. Customers are increasingly becoming curious about companies’ business practices and eco-friendliness is top of mind. Hotels and other such establishments are increasingly using reusable bottles and glasses, LED lighting, and other measures to reduce the hotel’s and guest’s carbon footprint. The initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint will continue with everything from using natural and recycled/recyclable building materials, to solar panels and linen recycling. Another way eco-concern will play out in hospitality is through ecotourism, which allows travellers to escape the concrete jungle to get back in touch with nature with the intention of supporting conservation efforts and observing wildlife.
Written by: Izabela Szydlo
Resources
https://businessblog.trivago.com/category/hotel-industry-trends/
https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/2019-top-hospitality-trends
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/324089
https://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/hotel-trend-report-what-you-need-to-know-about-2019
https://learn.g2crowd.com/2019-hospitality-trends
https://www.webrezpro.com/5-hospitality-trends-to-look-out-for-in-2019/
https://www.centennialcollege.ca/programs-courses/full-time/hospitality-hotel-operations-management/