Hospitality Industry Turns to Tech to Lure Guests Back - WSJ - 2 views
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At RLH, “We’ve prioritized anything that has to do with automation,” Mr. Edwards said.
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A key on your phone, voice-activated digital assistants that can order fresh towels, electrostatic sprayers—hotels are piling on tech workarounds to keep guests safe from Covid-19
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U.S. hotel companies are doubling down on automation and fast-tracking technologies such as digital room keys and voice-activated digital assistants to minimize contact between guests and hotel staff amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Guests can use the AI-based devices to control the lighting and operate the television, while avoiding touching light switches and remote controls.
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“The reality is the pandemic has impacted all of our staffing levels and budgets and forecasts,” said John Edwards, chief information officer at the Denver-based company, which is also known as Red Lion Hotels Corp.
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This article focuses on the ways AI and automation can help the hospitality industry get back on track by helping guests to feel safe while they travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. By using different software guests can have a contactless check-in, request digital room keys, use AI based devices to control lighting/TV and/or make housekeeping/front desk requests, and housekeeping can use electrostatic sprayers to help mitigate the chances of guests contracting or spreading COVID. It notes the losses in revenue and occupancy by several major hotelier groups, especially some Las Vegas properties, as well the high number of furloughed employees that COVID has caused while showcasing ways that hotel groups can help get back on track by easing the fears of guests. It offers data to show that through these technologies, guests are returning because the feel their safety concerns have been addressed. comment by Jwilc019 " https://diigo.com/0ica77