7 ways your hotel can modernise
Using digital tools to modernise your hotel business will be hugely beneficial for both efficiency and your bottom line.
Digital transformation has already revolutionised many hotel brands across the globe and now it’s your turn to learn more about what it can do for you.
Read on to discover how adopting these digital transformation ideas will convert customer interest into sales, boost profit and improve efficiency.
Deploy chatbots for easy-to-answer queries
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is all the rage these days. Hotel organisations are deploying chatbots to assist customers—and it’s not just multinational chains doing so. In fact, 40% of businesses using chatbot technology are small companies.
The potential of AI chatbots is largely unrivalled when it comes to efficiency and customer satisfaction. Many of their queries are simple, after all: is the front desk operational 24 hours a day? Are there vegan options for breakfast? Do the rooms have air conditioning?
If they’re talking to an always-available chatbot that knows all this information, customers don’t need to wait around for a response. This generates spare time for your team who can answer more complicated customer enquiries effectively.
Create a direct booking option online
As a hotel owner, chances are that you also offer venue hire in your building. Unused spaces are a perfect money maker because they can be offered to local businesses seeking a space for an away day or a room to celebrate milestones being reached.
While many conferencing bookings require hours of labour, others are straightforward. For example, if an external team wishes to book a meeting room for a presentation or to brainstorm ideas.
In instances like these, you can take advantage of digital technology to create an online booking system. Customers can simply apply online and fill out the details of their basic booking, freeing up time to chase and manage larger bookings.
Ensure your website is mobile-friendly
If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re going to miss out on sales. Nearly 80 percent of retail website visits happen on mobile—and the story is the same across other industries including yours.
Imagine this scenario. A customer is looking to book 15 of your hotel rooms for their wedding nearby. They visit your website on their mobile and find it infuriatingly hard to navigate. It’s clunky compared to a laptop, but they don’t have time to wait for their equipment to turn on.
They make the unfortunate decision to shop elsewhere. That’s a significant loss of potential earnings—all because your website isn’t mobile-optimised.
You may even decide to create an app, taking your customers’ mobile-friendly experience to a whole new level. Within an app, you can provide online check-in options and smart room control capabilities.
Install smart technology inside rooms
Revolutionise your hotel by installing smart technology across your rooms and event spaces.
With the ability to directly control room temperatures and TV services using voice commands, your customers will have an easier stay and your staff will have less need to disturb guests.
Provide a self-check-in option
Especially during busier periods, self-check-in screens are a useful tool in alleviating the pressure experienced by your front-of-house team—freeing them up to complete other tasks.
Aside from the benefits it’ll bring to your business, self-check-in screens also ensure smoother entry and exit for your customers. The convenience of this service will be held in high regard by your customers and make it more likely that they’ll book with you again in the future.
Create a virtual hotel tour
Customers love to research hotels in detail these days. That’s because there are so many companies for them to choose from. In 2024, still pictures alone might not be enough to entice customers to book with you. Enter 3D technology.
3D tour and virtual reality (VR) technologies will provide your customers with a full 360 view of shared hotel spaces and private rooms. In essence, it allows your customers to try before they buy.
Invest in an employee scheduling system
The needs of your business change daily and it’s a great investment to move your timetabling online. Digital employee scheduling systems are a fantastic solution, enabling you to create staff rotas quickly and easily.
Adopting these digital transformation ideas will propel your business into the 21st century.