Gary Wan, Director of IT, Dorsett Hospitality International
Hotel will be fully equipped by smart devices. Internet will no longer be just a service, but will be part of guests’ lives.
For travelers, no matter what purpose they have, they would love to have Internet access through out their trips. Starting from landing, travelers would like to go to social media or communication tools to play around. In hospitality industry, we may have technology renovations to make customers happy or even loyal. We can foresee the trend within the industry.
"In hospitality industry, we may have technology renovations to make customers happy or even loyal"
Guests can have Wi-Fi any where services by registering bookings through hotel website. When you as a guest arrive airport, you can go to hotel counter. The receptionist will give you sim card and you can then have unlimited data to download hotel app.
The app requests your booking ID and passport number for authentication. The app can provide diversity services and products after logging in. First of all, transportation services can be found through the app, by taxi, by MTR or by UBER. You can keep having Internet access before arriving hotel. You will then utilize QR code in the app to do self-check in procedures. The self-check in system is actually located in hotel lobby and a concierge will take care of you if you need help. The kiosk will eject a door lock card with QR code. You can either use the app to scan the QR code and convert the
phone as door lock access card or keep the physical card to enter the room. Once your app recognizes appropriate QR code, your info will be shown in the app. You can then be able to order meal, function rooms, laundry or even an adapter which were instructed by in room phone in the past. No phone in your room but just a TV. Your phone can project images, own calendar, movies or even video conference to the TV by the app. When you go downstairs to have breakfast, no more sign off or give out door lock card but just scan your phone app.
There is a machine containing snacks and drinks, like mini bar but has Internet access or we called mini bar with IP address. You have to press button on the items you want and those will be dropped out. The data will then be sent to your app billing.
If you need tour guide or suggestions, click the app and a virtual concierge will give you a hand. Unlike hotel concierge, you can ask for customized tour for your trip, the tour guide is local and well known the place you visit.
The billing will be shown in the app and you can settle it by new payment technology such as Alipay or Apple pay. The invoice will be sent to your email and you can just put the door lock card in the room for house keeping to follow up.
Throughout the trip, you don't need a single coin or credit card physically but just a smart phone. Your app is still inside your phone and has your travel records for reference. This is what technology renovates hospitality in coming 5 years.
