RM Magazine - Spring RM Magazine - Spring 2015 | Page 13

FEATURE ARTICLE provide directions back to their hotel in both English and the local language .
Another important aspect is how will the major hotel brands use big data to target individual offers to guests , or provide more personalised service to guests , when in house that even the old fashioned Swiss hoteliers would appreciate . Some hotel brands are piloting Blue Tooth beacons in lobbies and public spaces that will beam profiles of approaching guests to staff who can then greet them by name and follow up on service requests or , as they enter the restaurant or bar , provide the opportunity to offer them their favourite drink after the initial greeting . So as an international traveller , how can hotels – particularly in the US – use technology to provide the level of high-touch service typically found in hotels in Europe and SE Asia ?
Perhaps the answer is the use of personalised data combined with sensors and apps to close the service gap of American hotels when compared to some 5 star hotels in Asia . For example , Mandarin Oriental , where staff have been keeping tabs on guest ’ s movements throughout the hotel for many years now and then make their habits and preferences known to managers so as to improve service .
The question is – can hotels implement new technology that is not invasive to guests and at the same time seamlessly improve the quality of guest service that has been the hallmark of 5 star hotels in Europe and SE Asia ? Watch this space and welcome to the brave new world of technology in hotels . ted @ hornertech . com . au
www . revenuemanagement . com . au
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