Hotel bookings within the GCC are on a definite rise, now more so than ever. With tourism during winter and holidays at an ultimate high, hotel bookings will continue it’s rise leading up to the Expo 2020 games to be held in UAE. How can hotel owners take advantage of this continuing surplus, awhile remaining on top of their demands for bookings?
Mobile travel sales, which include travel purchases on both tablets and smartphones, combined into a whopping 59 billion AED in 2014, and will increase another 60 percent this year, according to a recent eMarketer study. In the near future, most major hotels will need to offer mobile booking options to capture an increasing share of the market. But hoteliers shouldn’t overlook opportunities to integrate mobile devices and mobile automation into the everyday operations of their businesses. Innovative hotels are using mobile technology to streamline operations and wow guests throughout their stays, from arrival through check out.
How can more hotel in the GCC benefit from the rising number of mobile hotel bookings, and beat out their competition using smart automation?
Automated Mobile Check-Ins
From the moment guests arrive, mobile devices can help immerse them in a cutting-edge sensory experience. A guest who is greeted with mobile check-in options or digital menus displayed on tablets or smart TVs will be assured they have chosen a savvy hotel equipped with the latest modern conveniences.
With mobile devices in hand, concierges can complete the process with a few taps of the finger – no check-in desk required. At busy times, check-in staff bandwidth can be extended by equipping additional concierges with tablets and having them circulate in the lobby.
Remote Room Control for Each Room
Hoteliers can display special offers on digital menus so guests can see what the hotel has to offer the moment they walk through the doors. When guests arrive in their rooms (perhaps unlocked with a mobile device using Bluetooth or NFC technology), in-room tablets can be used to control the temperature, lights and television.
Guests can also use tablets to access a digital guest services directory, a modern innovation that can save hotels thousands in printing costs. Some hotels are even using tablets as digital menus for requesting room or turndown service or a valet, so guests never have to pick up the phone. By integrating apps into existing systems, guest orders can be automatically entered into the order system at the hotel restaurant or guest services desk, saving time and freeing hotel staff to perform other tasks.
Automated Staff Inventory
Behind the scenes, housekeeping staff can keep track of inventory by logging data on their tablets. Some hotels have even added small barcodes to linens, which housekeepers then scan with scanner-equipped mobile devices. Other staff members can access the information from elsewhere in the hotel in real time. With a mobile housekeeping app, or through a secure connection to an existing system, repair requests can be entered as soon as a housekeeper notices an issue, and the relevant maintenance staff member can be alerted instantly via his or her mobile device, helping ensure rapid guest room turnover.
While the benefits of mobility in hospitality are clear, IT service providers may worry that keeping track of all those devices and keeping customer information secure will cause major headaches. iSmartHome can provide IT services for automation systems, as well as providing a way to track mobile assets in real time, so that they are alerted as soon as an in-room device leaves the premises.
Contact iSmartHome today to find out how you can add value to your hotel by automating traditional tasks and heightening engagement with guests.
Hotel bookings within the GCC are on a definite rise, now more so than ever. With tourism during winter and holidays at an ultimate high, hotel bookings will continue it's rise leading up to the Expo 2020 games to be held in UAE. How can hotel owners take advantage of...
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