GlobalData reveals contactless technology as top theme among hospitality industry influencer conversations

October 16, 2020

GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company has revealed that the notion of ‘Contactless technology solutions’ - as a means to reduce the potential risk of contracting COVID-19 through physical touchpoints - has emerged as the top conversation theme among influencer discussions in the hospitality industry on Twitter during April-September 2020.

According to GlobalData’s Lodging Influencer Platform, some of the trending contactless solutions are facial recognition, mobile apps for hotels, delivery robots and online F&B order. Facial recognition technology, a contactless biometric technology, enables guests to self-check-in, unlock rooms and activate elevators through face scan only.

GlobalData Influencer Expert, Prashant Saxena advises “after the recent relaxation of air travel, hoteliers are getting prepared for their guests to return with the implication of new hospitality technologies to improve operations. They need to leverage self-service along contact-free technologies with an eye on health, safety and security norms.

“Guest experience is getting enhanced through mobile apps, which facilitate mobile check-in, mobile check-out, dining with mobile ordering and contactless delivery. Hoteliers are helping wary travellers to feel more comfortable with delivery robots, which reduce the perceived risk of virus transmission due to interpersonal contact.”

Major hotel chains are opting for various technologies for attracting guests while following the COVID-19 protocols. ‘Wyndham Hotels & Resorts app’ by Wyndham Hotel Group, LLC is said to offer digital solutions keeping low-contact in-stay features to navigate challenges of the ongoing pandemic.

Virgin Hotels, LLC and citizenM have upgraded their mobile app with contactless features, including mobile key functionality. MCR Investors LLC, one of the largest hotel management companies, which operates under international brands such as Hilton and Marriott, selected cloud-based property management system to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers in lodging.

Contactless guest engagement has become a priority for hoteliers to facilitate automated conversational interaction between guests and staff.

Menin Hotels, LLC has added Google Nest Hub to its guest rooms to facilitate touchless room control solutions by voice-based command.

Saxena adds the “Hospitality industry has used the pandemic downtime to invest in technologies, which are customer centric to regain customer satisfaction on reopening of hotel properties. Touchless solutions based on artificial intelligence technology are likely to be the new normal for hospitality sector. Among the contactless solutions, keyless entry, mobile payments have more future potential post COVID-19-era as well.”

18th September 2020 - GlobalData advises contactless technologies increasing in popularity within tourism industry

28th April 2020 - GlobalData warns China’s tourism industry of encouraging premature mass tourism

27th April 2020 - GlobalData suggests potential damage to China’s tourism brand image

21st April 2020 - GlobalData predicts short term boost for Australian domestic tourism

15th February 2020 - GlobalData considers the impact of Coronavirus on South East Asian tourism

14th October 2020 - Contactless Donation Tap System installed at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery

19th February 2020 - Ticketek introduces contactless tickets at Central Coast Stadium

6th November 2019 - Suncorp Stadium’s contactless tickets a hit with fans

22nd May 2019 - Ticketek to launch contactless tickets on iPhone and Apple Watch at Suncorp Stadium

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