Improving Guest Experience At Hotel With Contactless Hotel Software Technology
Over the last few years, digital transformation has been taking off, and it's now reconstructing many industries. This is becoming evident in the hospitality sector too. Many properties have taken to implementing modern technology to improve operations and engage with their guests. While this was happening, the world hit a significant catastrophe- you guessed it, the Covid- 19 pandemic! No industry has been more influenced by Covid-19 than the hotel and tourism industry. Suddenly, people didn't go out to eat as often, and even fewer people were traveling, resulting in massive losses for various hotels.
Nonetheless, some technological solutions, such as Hotel Property Management Software and Contactless Technology, can assist companies in surviving these difficult times while also ensuring the safety of their guests.
Contactless technology, in particular, will aid in the change process. It has the potential to alter every aspect of a customer's stay, from how they check-in and out of a hotel to how they make reservations or bookings and how they obtain information about available amenities and services throughout their stay. The concept of a contactless guest experience is not new in the hotel sector, but technology is constantly changing and improving.
What is a contactless guest experience, and why should you care about it?
Contactless guest experience is the way of the future for hotels. A contactless guest experience is a service that uses technology such as Hotel Property Management Software to offer benefits, including contactless payments, mobile check-ins and check-outs, contactless reservations, in-room voice or smartphone app assistance, and so on. This means that guests can simply walk into the lobby, pen hotel rooms through digital keys available on mobile phones, and check in or out of the hotel without ever having to talk with a front desk agent.
Contactless technology allows you to create an app that will keep track of guests' loyalty points and enable them to book rooms using their mobile phones. It also eliminates the need for access staff members. It's an extension of an already great experience, but it doesn't require any extra effort from guests. That means less time spent tapping at screens and more time doing what they want to do while staying at your hotel. It is aimed at enhancing the way your guest interacts with your hotel, making their stay better.
Benefits of the contactless guest experience
It makes sense to provide a contactless guest experience at your hotel in today's environment when everyone is searching for convenience and wants things to be faster.
According to a 2020 Criton study, most guests would choose a digital experience over traditional hotel services. Of these, 76% of respondents said they would be likely or very likely to use mobile check-in, 71% said they would be likely or very likely to use digital door key to access their room, and 82% said they would be likely or very likely to view and pay for their bill via a hotel app. All these are aspects of Contactless Technology.
The best part about contactless service is that it eases the pandemic-related anxiety of falling sick. This is true not just for guests, but even your hotel staff are less likely to contract the virus from any visitors. Contactless technology solutions are not only safer for your health; they also reduce the chances of human error while processing documentation, credit card information, registrations, and so on. They assist in simplifying and automating procedures that would otherwise need the effort of several workers. Contactless technologies reduce the need for human interaction, allowing customers to enjoy a pure contactless guest experience.
Keeping that in mind, how can you, as a hotelier or manager, offer a great contactless guest experience?
Here are four ways you can offer a contactless guest experience at your property.
- Offer mobile check-in & check-out.
Mobile check-in and check-out are the ideal answer to packed lobbies and rush hours and are likely the most in-demand services. It is also an excellent safety feature, allowing hotels to adhere to rigorous Covid-19 health regulations. Hotels use mobile check-in and check-out solutions to increase efficiency on their front desk and serving their guests better. With mobile check-in, the guest doesn't have to wait in line on arrival. They also can pre-register for hotel services such as room type, no. of beds, etc., saving time upon arrival and reducing the chance that a guest will need staff assistance during the check-in. Similarly, the checks-out feature allows guests to review their room folio quickly, pay their bills online, and even leave a review for the hotel.
- Digital concierge for round the clock service
As hotels continue to evolve, digital concierge service is becoming more popular. It allows for 24/7 communication with guests, provides an avenue for guest requests, and enhances hoteliers' services. A digital concierge holds vast databases of information and can offer invaluable assistance to your customers. They can book accommodation or a table online directly at your establishment, send requests for room service and process payment online as well. Besides that, using digital concierge technology, you can analyze trends and preferences daily to deliver offers tailored to your guest & handle all incoming inquiries. That way, not only will your reviews improve but also your revenue.
- Use robots and automation to limit human touch.
No matter how luxurious or sophisticated a hotel is, there will always be someone who needs help: lost keys, late check-out requests and all kinds of other issues. Some hotels are now relying on an army of robots to pick up the slack. Along with unparalleled in-house automation, which frees up staff members to focus on other guest-related activities, hotel robots can do activities that would be hard for people to execute around the clock. Robots can help with housekeeping, keeping common areas clean, providing room service, restaurant waiters, baggage handling, and directing visitors to specified locations inside the hotel, among other things. When compared to human equivalents, many criteria can be performed with greater precision. Finally, the presence of robots lends a hotel a truly cutting-edge appearance.
- The need for keyless entry
One of the most popular elements included in hotels' contactless guest experiences is digital keyless access. The keyless entry is a one-stone, two-bird solution powered by NFC and Bluetooth technology. Guests with keyless entry can access their rooms by tapping their smartphone screen instead of carrying a real key. Guests have many benefits with keyless access, including increased room security, convenience, and mobility in a single contactless service. Similarly, keyless entry services may save hotels a lot of money on key replacements, help them manage their liability against COVID19, and improve the guest experience.
COVID-19 has harmed the hotel industry in the past year. However, it has also acted as a catalyst to adopting contactless technologies set to make up for it. As the world moves from pandemic to post-pandemic, hotels seek ways to get their business back on track. Contactless technology can ensure customers are safe, improve the customer experience and provide a good revenue return.