Whether it’s basic booking systems or a tech-first approach to every single guest interaction – pretty much every hotel in the world is now using some digital tools to operate. There’s really no way to escape the power of hotel technology as we look towards 2025. But what particular trends are going to emerge and gain traction in the next year?
With predictions that the value of the global hospitality industry will double in the next five years, the sector is looking buoyant. Technology has been an important enabler of growth, particularly in the last few years when staff shortages and increasing operational costs have demanded smart solutions. Yet hotels are at different stages of their digitalisation journeys, and many would admit to having further to go to reap the full benefits technology can bring.
For hoteliers looking towards 2025 wondering what technology is worth investing in, here are some of the emerging trends that are making hoteliers sit up and take notice.
Amplifying self-service technology
We’re living in an era where people enjoy the control and efficiency of serving themselves. In hotels, this translates into self-service check-in and check-out using technology such as SIHOT.KIOSK, and paying digitally whenever possible – helped by tools such as SIHOT.PAYENGINE, which can also create digital invoices and take pre-authorised payments. The benefits for hotels are vast, and guests like these solutions because they can spend more time enjoying their hotel stay, and less time on admin.
The ability to order food and beverages (F&B) using an app or self-service terminals, such as the SIHOT self-service terminal, is also a rising trend. According to research by Oracle and Skift, 60% of hospitality executives worldwide think creating a fully self-service experience is the most likely technological feature the industry will adopt in the next three years.
Smartphone-forward
As people use their smartphones to complete an increasing number of daily tasks, they’re demanding the same experience when staying in a hotel. This starts with having reservation details easily accessible via a QR code stored in their Apple or Google Wallet – such as the functionality launched by SIHOT this year.
The smartphone-first approach extends to every aspect of their stay too, which can range from providing smartphone keycards for rooms, to apps such as SIHOT.GO! where service requests can be made.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging opportunities
Many hotels are looking for ancillary revenue opportunities to boost their income, and installing EV charging points at hotels is a smart move that taps into an accelerating trend. Europeans have adopted EVs rapidly, and Europe only just lags behind China in EV uptake. Yet Europe currently has half the EV charging points of China, and McKinsey predicts the region will need 3.4 million charging points by 2030. There are currently only around 630,000.
This is a huge opportunity for hotels. By installing EV charging points, you can raise additional income, and draw more people to your hotel where they may spend money on F&B too.
Personalisation steps up a gear
Hotels have known for a while that they need to personalise guest experiences to gain bookings and loyalty. But since many businesses now send marketing emails greeting you by your forename, and offer special birthday discounts, customers are starting to demand more.
Guests want to be surprised by a personalised experience they didn’t even realise they wanted. And technology directly impacts a hotel’s ability to do this. By ensuring you have a fully integrated property management system (PMS) such as SIHOT.PMS, with the ability to capture guest data and preferences in fine detail, you’ll be able to take personalisation up a notch.
It could be anything from dairy-free milk in the minibar, after information about an allergy was captured in the system from a previous stay. Or data analysis has pinpointed a guest persona in such detail that you know exactly who to target with your new and exclusive wellness experience. Data and information means hotels can elevate the human touch to new heights.
SIHOT can support you on your hotel technology journey – contact us to find out more.