Top 7 Essential Hospitality Technology Trends in 2022

Hospitality is an industry where you need to constantly be updating how things get done. These establishments are where people go to escape, to cultivate personal connections, and to feel safe and taken care of. But what this means is ever-changing, as are the times we live in. What may have provoked a sense of comfort for guests a few years ago might seem unnerving now, and it's important to be able to stay in tune with that.At the end of the day, most of these differences can be attributed to and resolved by technology. It's sort of a chicken and egg situation, where we're not sure if societal change comes before the technological change or vice versa. But whatever the case may be, it's good to keep an eye on it. The elephant in the room is of course COVID-19, which has caused a lasting detrimental impact on the hospitality industry. What this has caused is a streamlined effort to digitize everything. Not only does this reduce unnecessary contact as much as possible, but now people have come to expect it. Establishments lacking digital infrastructure are swiftly written off as archaic by the general public.But what does digital infrastructure mean, exactly, if not the same thing it meant a few years ago? Well, let us get you up to speed with these 7 essential tech trends.

1. Latest Booking Technologies

Your booking platforms should be one-upping themselves at this point. The process must be clear, easy, and even exciting for guests—from start to finish. It should be straightforward for personnel and customers alike. This may include tracking, data compilation and analytics, and readily available options for contacting customer support and representatives. When using third-party options, both the establishment and employees should have a strong understanding of how these work and how to resolve potential issues. Another great option is providing a dedicated app that integrates all things offered by your specific service into one. This will seem more professional if done correctly and can encourage guests to engage with other services provided.

2. Privacy Also Means Cybersecurity

One of the keys to running a hotel is making sure your guests feel like their privacy is protected at all times. This is part of what they are paying for, after all. But today, as more things become digitized, rooms, platforms, and devices are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and security breaches. Avoiding this means investing in fully encrypted technology every step of the way, compliance with international regulations on data and billing, and secure transactions, just to name a few. It's clear that falling behind in this respect can be incredibly damaging in many ways and for many people. One issue that is raised with cybersecurity is the fact that hackers are always learning new ways to get what they want. The only way to counteract this is to invest in hiring specialists who are up to date on these trends so that you can make sure you’re doing everything in your power to remain protected.

3. Data: All You Can Compile

Data is the present and future of tech pertaining to generally every service available. Having a robust database for tracking trends, metrics, and analytics is what can keep your business from becoming obsolete. The global economy now trades in human capital, which is why having access to customer data is an essential tool for running a business today. This means all sorts of things, from tracking demographics to how long a transaction takes to be completed, and everything in between. This will provide valuable information on how to move forward with business strategies. Data compilation is the process of gathering data from various sources and compiling them into a single data set. This is necessary because it helps to make sense of the data by organizing it and making it more accessible for analysis.The benefits of data compilation are that it can help with:- Data analysis: Making sense of raw data and allowing for a more robust analysis- Data management: Organizing the data in an efficient way so as to make it easier to find and use- Data sharing: Making the data available to other people who need access to it

4. Relying on the Cloud

Cloud technology has been around for a while, but not every establishment has fully migrated yet. This can streamline operations and make sure everything is easily accessible to employees and management. It enables operators to provide guests with a seamless experience and helps them to meet all of their needs. With Cloud technology, it is easier for businesses to manage data, which can then be analyzed for insights into how customers are interacting with the establishment and its services. Cloud-based systems are much cheaper to maintain, with many companies offering solutions for as low as $2 per day. The benefits of cloud solutions, such as managing content and monitoring web traffic, make these systems a must-have. This is a more reliable and secure option for digital integration in the workplace and should be seriously considered if not already implemented.

5. Hyper-automation

Hyper-automation means automating as many processes as possible in order to optimize your workforce and increase productivity. This approach heavily relies on AI technology to do as much grunt work as possible, as well as innovate and push the limits of its capabilities. This can mean anything from customer service bots to software merging. Having AI and machine learning experts on hand can be incredibly beneficial to your business, as these things are constantly evolving in order to better service you and your specific needs. You should also look into services providing low-code and no-code tools. In order to stay competitive, hotels and restaurants alike are now relying on hyper-automation to reduce labor costs and increase efficiency. It is believed that hyper-automation will be the future of hospitality because it can provide personalized service in an orderly manner.

6. Crypto as Payment

Cryptocurrencies are the future of payments. The world is headed in this direction and the hospitality industry should not be left behind. Some might be wary because of a lack of public awareness and understanding of the technology, but they are becoming more and more popular as they prove themselves to be a quick and secure method of payment, which could potentially lead to an increase in profits. A customer can make payments without having to wait for approval from the bank or credit card company, which could take days or even weeks. In addition, this also means that there are no transaction fees involved. This can be beneficial on both ends, as it saves time and money. Furthermore, crypto transactions are also much more secure than traditional ones. This will help to reduce fraud rates for businesses that want to accept payment online.

7. Smart Everything

From self-check-in kiosks and online reservations to robotic cleaners, the industry is quickly adapting to the demands of the modern traveler. However, some of the latest innovations in technology are not just changing how people book their hotel rooms but also how they stay in them. One example is smart locks, which allow guests to enter a room without a key card or key at all by using an app on their phone. The lock can be programmed for specific hours so that guests can only access their room when it’s convenient for them and staff don’t need to worry about checking who’s coming and going from a particular room at any given time. Another technology that hotels are adopting is voice control systems that allow guests to control certain aspects of their room by just speaking into a device. Keep up to date on the newest smart technologies available and your guests will be consistently wowed. As you can probably tell, there is a whole world of technology trends to take advantage of if you are a business owner or manager. Technology is changing the way we travel and experience the world. With trends like mobile payments, digital assistants, and virtual reality, it's never been a better time to be in the hospitality industry. Keeping ahead of the curve can make all of the difference when looking to optimize productivity and increase profits. Tell your colleagues and peers about any new technology you’ve come across and they will be thanking you!