9 IoT Applications in the Hospitality Industry

Wish to get away from the confines of your home and need a place to stay? We’ve got the hospitality sector ready at your service. The hospitality industry has evolved marvelously over the recent span of years, offering a range of advanced facilities and services, aimed at easing the lifestyle and customer experience of its consumers. 

 

Several leading companies within the hospitality industry have already incorporated the Internet of Things (IoT) in their operations, owing to the hotel centric advantages and benefits offered by the technology. These advantages can range from offering an advanced customer experience to saving on energy expenses. 

 

In terms of the customer experience, IoT technology enables hotel owners to improve hotel conditions and offer a comfortable and customized experience to their guests while also cutting down on their waiting times. When it comes to operations, the automation and real-time data can aid companies in detecting issues in their initial stage and if possible help to avoid some issues altogether. 

 

Role of IoT in hospitality

 

Plenty of IoT centric systems are being applied by the industry to serve its consumers better and to enhance operational efficiency. 

 

For instance, IoT can be adopted by the hotel industry for offering integrated services.  The hotel industry, for example, can use IoT to provide integrated services such as devices driven through applications and automated devices such as automated electric blinds, telephones or set top boxes which are linked via a common network that allows the services which the guests require. Facilities of this kind would aid hoteliers in improving their hotel room experiences and offer a lavish surrounding for their customers. 

 

 

IoT allows for an improved housekeeping service to be offered by the hospitality staff, as well as better room service, conservation of energy as well as facilities maintenance. Execution of IoT induced solutions allows owners to improve their services for areas such as the concierge, front desk, or room services, while also enabling employees to focus on consumer requirements with data focused alerts and triggers. These sensors allow the owners to offer an advanced experience and get greater loyalty from their consumers. 

 

 

The IoT technologies help to bring about expanding returns, curtailed expenditures as well as smart energy management systems that enable guests to flawlessly adjust their hotel room resources. IoT solutions can also be executed for advanced management of inventory. Even food being prepared can be tracked in real-time, with IoT sensors being placed in kitchens. This aids restaurant owners in gaining better control of quality and in meeting food safety standards.

 

 

Sensors can be integrated into the properties of hospitality businesses, such as enterprises for bed and breakfast, food and beverage, hotels, travel and tourism, offering additional advantages to their management.

 

Recommended blog - IoT in travel industry

 

 

Benefits of IoT in hospitality

 

A whole range of benefits are offered by IoT when it comes to the hospitality sector. 

 

1. Efficient Hotel Services

 

Of course who wouldn't prefer to be able to save money while offering advanced services simultaneously. With IoT playing a role in saving expenses by managing operations automatically, it allows hoteliers to stay updated regarding energy utilization as well as workload savings.

 

For instance, IoT facilitates automatic turn off of the lights and switches when the guest exits the room.  This feature enabled through digital devices allows cut down of employee expenses. With constant tracking, IoT allows hotels to gather real-time data regarding the preferences of a customer's in-hotel procurements.

 

 

2. Enhances the customer experience

 

Customer service is one aspect always given priority when it comes to the service industry. The happier and more loyal the customer, the more business he/she is capable of bringing. And ofcourse the more customized and swift the service, the greater would be the faith of the customers.The advancements introduced by IoT systems play a role in upgrading the customer experience by making hotels more appealing and gaining fresh visitors. 

 

 

3. Predictive analytics

 

IoT enables the analysis of the services and also allows the hoteliers to keep track of the process at certain points. This in turn allows them to enhance their options for service and delivery. The data gathered can be assessed effectively through the system and offer useful insights which would encourage them to either tweak their existing services or bring out more of them. 

 

 

4. Synchronization with existing devices

 

Since execution of IoT doesn’t necessitate replacement of the existing devices and can operate in harmony with prevailing devices without any changes, investing in it would prove to be advantageous and deduct expenses, boosting service levels.

 

 

Application of IoT in hospitality industry

 

1. Automated Check-In

 

Various smart hotels are heading towards IoT-enabled self-service kiosks for automating the check-in procedure of their guests.  Similar to the standard kiosks that we mostly observe at airport check-in counters, self-service kiosks permit guests to evade the reception desk queues and gain access to their room keys easily.  

 

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Applications of IoT in hospitality

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2. Location-Based Information

 

We’ve now got technologies like bluetooth and GPS that have kicked open the avenues for offering location-based data that can be adopted by platforms in hospitality and hotel industries for delivering messages to customers at the times when they have maximum relevance for the recipient.  

 

Recommended blog - IoT examples

 

This can include for instance, promoting gym services when the guests pass by the gym or delivering SMS texts regarding restaurant menu items whenever the guests are in close proximity, advertising gym services when they are near the gym. It can also imply delivering updated information regarding local transport links, or close at hand attractions. This location data can be adopted by businesses for optimizing the staffing levels.

 

 

3. Asset Tracking

 

Via IoT smart hotels holding asset tracking technology, the guest services staff hold the capacity of tracking equipment like cleaning carts or luggage racks. Real-time assessment of integral equipment can enhance housekeeping procedures and make the smart hotels operate efficiently.

 

 

4. Voice-Controlled Customer Service

 

Various leading hotel organizations such as Marriott or Wynn have adopted IoT’s voice controlled consumer service, an area highly likely to expand and flourish further over the years.

 

You might be wondering how this service is offering an advantage to the hospitality sector. The service enables customers to appeal for hotel room service, book tables at the restaurant of the hotel or sign up for activities like spa sessions by the simple action of relating what they want and giving commands to the voice controlled service in their room. 

 

 

5. Smart Room Customizations

 

We’ve got a wide range of smart solutions at our disposal to make hotel room lodging easier and more convenient for guests. While having the appropriate IoT devices set up and connected, the smart room customization and control alternatives include:

 

• Lighting - It offers options of lighting such as choices for switching between colors, shifting colors and modifying hue and light temperature.

• Room Temperature - Using smart thermostats permits guests to ensure their rooms are comfortable while avoiding the inconvenience of out of date window A/C units.

• Controlling Water Temperature - The valves and sensors help in controlling and maintaining a satisfying temperature of the water for the guests. 

• Adjusting windows -  The automated window treatments offer complete control to guests merely by pressing a button or through use of applications. 

• Smart TVs - Smart TVs are an indispensable luxury in the hotel rooms of the present times. 

• Digitized Food Menus - Digitized food menus in hotel rooms offer visitors with choices that are accessible on a smart TV or phone app. These menus even allow the preferences of the guest to be recorded for any future stays. 

 

 

6. Smart Locks and Security Solutions

 

Smart locks permit guests to adopt phone apps as their room key, substituting the necessity of the conventional key card like room key. Integrated IoT security devices can be adjoined to each other and set up  as per varying protocols. For instance, a security issue can end up prompting audio or onscreen alerts and emergency lighting. 

 

 

7. Key Card Integrations

 

A great degree of ease and amenity is offered by key card integrations powered by IoT. More advanced key card alternatives like mobile keys or room key applications are being facilitated by hotels. These keys allow the guests to control door locks, temperature, window shades by merely making use of their smartphones. 

 

 

8. Improved Event Rooms

 

Varying IoT solutions can be adopted by hotels for enhancing event spaces and conference rooms. The lighting can be set up in accordance with the kind of event and its elements like controlling the temperature can be scheduled and automated as per the event hosts’ requirements. These IoT solutions also play a role in tasks like room scheduling and check-in/check-out. 

 

Recommended blog - IoT in Ecommerce

 

 

9. Integration of Tablet and Mobile Phone

 

Contemplate an IoT-connected hotel environment in which guests are served room service as well as housekeeping requests via an online portal or apps. This allows hotel staff to satisfy guests’ requirements while offering guests accessibility and user-friendly interaction alternatives.

 

 

Conclusion

 

As we have discussed above, the present and future scope of IoT becomes an advantage to comprehend and exploit by the hospitality industry. From enhancing the customer experience, aiding in automating processes, to helping the hospitality platforms in saving money on maintenance and energy expenses.