Hotel innovation enters a new era

By combining innovative technologies with a renewed focus on the human connection, hotels can redefine the meaning of guest satisfaction

A recent report from Oracle Hospitality and Skift highlights the urgent need for hotels to evolve. "Consumers have undergone significant changes over the past two years," the report notes, pointing to evolving buying habits and rising expectations for technology.

Key takeaways

• To meet these new challenges, hoteliers must invest in systems that not only anticipate guests' needs, but also justify the rising cost of lodging. Features such as contactless services, automation, and the separation of amenities from standard room rates have moved from theoretical ideas to operational imperatives;
• Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics and virtual reality are no longer considered futuristic luxuries. Instead, they are becoming an integral part of today's hospitality strategies;
• "Technology isn't replacing the human touch in hospitality; it's enabling hotels to be more hospitable," the report notes, highlighting the potential of these innovations to enhance the guest experience throughout the travel journey;
• Meanwhile, labor shortages remain a critical issue for the industry, driving a reassessment of traditional staffing models. Automation is proving essential in handling repetitive tasks, allowing staff to focus on more value-added tasks.

Download the full report at Skift (free download)