While there are many options in the market, hotel tech providers like eZee stand out for their unique features and capabilities.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the key features that set eZee’s hotel management software apart, and discuss how they can benefit hotels of all sizes and types.

Here’s What Differentiates eZee from The Rest

1. All-in-one solution

Hotel operations are complex and multifaceted. Various departments and functions of a hotel must work seamlessly in order to ensure a smooth and efficient guest experience.

One way to achieve this is by utilizing an all-in-one solution that eliminates the need to use multiple systems and software to manage different aspects of the hotel’s operations.

We offer integrated solutions like a property management system (PMS), point of sale (POS), channel manager, and booking engine that not only streamline hotel operations but also allow for the seamless flow of information across all departments.

2. Cloud-based solutions

Accommodation businesses usually face the challenge of providing secure and flexible access to important data and systems for both employees and guests.

However, this problem can be resolved by the adoption of cloud-based software that allows secure access from anywhere, at any time.

And with our cloud-based hotel management system, your hotel staff can access important information and perform key tasks from any device. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a smart device.

Additionally, cloud-based solutions are typically more secure, as they are regularly updated and maintained by the software provider, ensuring that the latest security protocols are in place to protect sensitive guest data.

3. Integrated solution

When we talk about property management systems, integration is one of the key elements that cannot be overlooked.

Having a hotel management system that integrates with multiple software and hardware solutions provides a complete and cohesive experience, streamlining hotel operations and providing valuable insights and data.

And we offer integration with 150+ online travel agencies (OTA’s) and 500+ third-party software/hardware solutions, ensuring that you get the ability to seamlessly connect and communicate with a wide range of systems.

This integration allows for more efficient data sharing, reducing the risk of errors caused by manual data entry, and enables hotel staff to access and manage important information from a single platform. 

4. Unlimited user and device license

For a hotel that uses a property management system, it is important to have, manage, and track multiple user accounts and devices. The reason is that it greatly enhances the efficiency, collaboration, and flexibility of hotel operations.

However, not every hotel tech provider offers this. Further, they also charge an additional amount for multiple user accounts and devices.

Our hotel management software offers unlimited user and device licenses, allowing accommodation businesses to have as many users and devices as they need without any additional costs. Meaning, as a hotelier, you get more flexibility and scalability, making it easier for your staff to manage their operations and adapt to changing business needs.

5. Guest-facing technology

Guest-facing technology can greatly enhance the guest experience by providing a more convenient, efficient, and personalized check-in and check-out process.

A kiosk, for example, allows guests to check in and out, make room selections, and complete other transactions without the need for human interaction. Contactless services, on the other hand, allow guests to make payments, access room keys, order room service using their own devices, etc.

We offer both kiosk and contactless services as a part of our guest-facing solutions, leading to more satisfied guests, enhanced guest service, and increased revenue. Also, it reduces the workload on the front desk, allowing hotel staff to focus on providing personalized service to guests.

6. 24/7 support services 

Hotel technology is a game-changer, and support is key. Availability of support ensures constant assistance for seamless operations, minimizing downtime and resolving issues swiftly. Further, it helps with technical difficulties and reduces the risk of lost revenue and unhappy guests, offering peace of mind and reliability for all. Invest in 24/7 support for a thriving hotel.

We understand the importance of providing reliable and efficient support services for our clients. This is why our full-fledged support center goes beyond troubleshooting, training, and implementation. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the best possible experience and is ready to assist you with any client-requested enhancements and upgrades.

Not to mention, the support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year with live chat, phone, and email support. It ensures that you always have a dedicated point of contact along with the necessary tools and resources to run your hotel operations smoothly and efficiently.

7. GST, PCI DSS, and GDPR compliant

Hotels are required to comply with various laws and regulations, such as GST compliance, PCI DSS compliance, and GDPR.  If you’re unaware of them, let me explain in simple terms.

• GST compliance is essential for hotels to ensure they are correctly calculating and reporting GST on all transactions.
• PCI DSS compliance is a set of security standards created by the payment card industry to protect sensitive cardholder data.
• GDPR compliance is essential for hotels to protect the personal data of their guests.

Our hotel management solution is compliant with all of them. Meaning, the software is designed to help hotels easily calculate and report GST, provide the necessary security to protect sensitive cardholder data, meet the requirements of the regulation, and protect the personal data of guests.

With such a hotel tech solution, accommodation businesses like yours can be assured they are meeting industry standards and can operate with confidence and trust.

8. Advanced reporting and analytics

Reports and analytics are crucial for accommodation businesses as they provide valuable insights and data to drive informed decision-making. Additionally, they help hotels understand guest behavior and preferences, enabling them to offer personalized experiences and enhance guest satisfaction.

Our software offers advanced reporting and analytics capabilities with more than 200+ reports, providing detailed business insights to help you understand your performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.

Furthermore, our software allows hotels to analyze and compare data across multiple properties and locations, providing a comprehensive view of their operations, and letting hotels identify areas of opportunity.

9. Affordable pricing

Cost is a major consideration for any business, and hotels are no exception. Investing in a comprehensive hotel management software can be a significant expense, and many hotels may be hesitant to do so because of budget constraints.

Our hotel management software takes this pain out.

We offer an affordable pricing model that is designed to meet the needs of hotels of all sizes and budgets. Additionally, we offer a 14-day free trial, which allows hotels to test the software and see how it can benefit their operations before committing to a purchase, without breaking the bank.

10. For hotels of all shapes and sizes

While all the factors are imperative for hotel businesses, our hotel management software takes this to the next level.

The solution is designed to meet the needs of hotels of all shapes and sizes. Whether you run a small bed and breakfast, a large resort, or anything in between, we can help you manage your operations efficiently and effectively.

Its scalability and flexibility allow the software to adapt to the unique needs and requirements of different types of accommodation businesses.

The post How eZee Helps Hotels Continuously Elevate the Overall Experience appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Now, amid the talks around these technologies, most hoteliers feel the dilemma of getting a PMS and POS from different vendors or the same. 

Well, the answer is simple — it should always be from the same hotel tech vendor. But, why would I say so?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of using a PMS and POS system from the same hotel tech supplier, and how it can help you succeed in the competitive world of hospitality.

Advantages of Using PMS and POS From a Single Vendor

Before you just take my word about single-vendor PMS and POS integration being the best choice, there are several advantages you should know about: 

1. Integration and data management

One of the major advantages of using a PMS and POS system from the same hotel tech supplier is improved integration and data management.

When these systems are from the same solution provider, they are designed to work seamlessly together and communicate with each other effectively. Meaning, data can be easily shared between the systems, reducing the need for manual data entry and improving the accuracy of information.

Moreover, with a single, integrated system, hospitality businesses can also benefit from having one database for all of their operations. This can improve the organization and accessibility of data, as well as reduce the risk of data loss or corruption.

2. Time and cost

The best way to understand this is by looking at a scenario of a hotel that uses a PMS and a POS from different vendors.

Now, the major challenge here is to integrate both systems. It is going to be a complex and time-consuming process. Further, for each system, you are going to require individual setup costs, which can add to the overall cost of the systems.

But on the other hand, using a PMS and POS system from the same vendor can simplify this process and reduce the time and cost associated with integration. Hotels will not have a need to invest in additional support for integration.

3. Collaboration and communication

In a fast-paced and customer-facing business like a hotel, it is important for every department to communicate seamlessly.

Now, when I say communicate, I don’t mean walking up to every person and speaking. Rather, what I mean is that every department must have access to certain information.

Let’s understand this with an example.

Zoya is vegan and she mentioned the same while making a reservation with your hotel. Now, your hotel offers complimentary breakfast, which is served at your in-house restaurant.  However, you forget to inform the restaurant about Zoya's dietary preferences and served her no-vegan food.

Oops! Sounds like a blunder, isn’t it?

Well, that’s exactly why getting a PMS and a POS system from the same vendor helps you. The solutions ensure that they are well connected with every other system and work in sync without any miscommunications.

4. Data security

Hotel businesses handle sensitive data on a day-to-day basis. Which is why it is important to have a robust data security infrastructure.

While every other data security measure is worth the effort, it is also imperative to ensure that your technologies such as the PMS and the POS are from the same provider.

The reason is, when these systems are from the same vendor, you get enhanced security features and controls, such as encrypted data storage, secure login protocols, and multi-factor authentication. 

This can help protect hotel businesses and their customers from data breaches, cyber threats, and unauthorized access.

5. Customization and scalability

Customization and scalability are also two of the major advantages that hotel tech providers offer with their systems.

For example, when you deploy a PMS and a POS from the same tech solution provider, you get a range of customization options, allowing businesses to get tailored systems for their specific needs and preferences.

Additionally, these integrated systems can make it easier for accommodation businesses to scale their operations as they grow and evolve.

For example, single-vendor PMS and POS allow flexibility, making it easier for hotels to add or remove features and users as needed.

6. Training and support

When you get a new property management system (PMS) for your hotel, it is important to train each and every employee on how to get used to it and milk its benefits. And in most scenarios, the service provider offers free training.

Now, imagine a situation where you deploy another system such as the POS, but from a different vendor. Wouldn’t this be a hassle to have two separate training sessions from two service providers? 

But if you get the PMS and the POS from the same vendor, your training will be much easier and save time.

Not to mention, the vendor would also offer you support for both the systems with utmost quality.

So, if you have been wondering whether it’s the right call to go for the same hotel tech provider, then the answer is YES.

7. Reporting and analytics

Irrespective of the shape and size, every hotelier needs to know what’s happening in each aspect of the hotel. And what could be a better way to learn about them than reports?

But then again, what’s the point of having different reports from different systems?

Integrated systems like PMS and POS, especially when they are from a single vendor, are designed to work together seamlessly. Meaning, the reports they generate are much more detailed and cover all the areas of the hotel, allowing hotels to track key metrics and performance indicators. Be it from the areas of the hotel or from a POS outlet, the reports provide precise information.

Things to Keep In Mind While Choosing the Right Hotel Tech Vendor

When it comes to choosing the right hotel technology vendor, it is essential to consider a range of factors.  

While the points mentioned above are also good to gauge whether the hotel tech vendor is suitable for your hotel, there are some more factors to consider.

Here are more considerations:

• Identify your hotel’s specific needs and ensure that the vendor you choose offers solutions that can address those areas.
• Research the vendor’s reputation in the industry to gauge the reliability and quality of their solutions.
• Review the various solutions the vendor offers and ensure they align with your business needs.
• Evaluate the pricing and ensure that it aligns with your budget and is reasonable.
• Consider the level of support and training offered by the vendor.
• Look at the vendor’s previous clientele and feedback as it can give you an insight into their capabilities and experience.

The post How PMS and POS Solutions from Single Vendor Improve Hotel Management appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Two reception counters, handling four queues of guests. Only two people at the frontdesk handling this crowd. People are waiting in the seating area beside the frontdesk. A hotel staff member is assisting them with their check-ins on a digital pad. And you are standing there, hoping you could just get a room without going through all this.

Now imagine, if this hotel had a self-check-in kiosk. You could use it to enter your booking details, verify your ID, and make the payment, and there — “this is your keycard”, and you are simply done with the check-in. Looks like a dream?

Well, let’s make that true!

The hospitality industry is now stepping up and installing hotel self-service kiosks in order to provide hassle-free check-ins and other services to its guests.

In this blog, I am going to talk exactly about how this is enhancing guest satisfaction and what benefits it has for your property.

What Is a Hotel Self-Service Kiosk?

A hotel self-service kiosk is a digital device that enables guests to fill in the required information and get access to their rooms and other services. It eliminates the need for the front desk as it handles bookings, check-ins/outs, provides room keys, processes payments, and such likes.

The hotel kiosk system comes with various integrations. The most important one is its integration with your property management system through which it works in sync with your overall hotel data.

Along with the instant reservation for walk-in guests, it successfully serves guests who have pre-booked through the hotel or any OTA website.

While kiosks handle all the major front desk functions, your staff gets a chance to enhance the guests’ experience by interacting and providing them with quick services.

Should You Install Kiosks in Your Hotel?

The prime aspect on which the hotel industry is established is – “hospitality”. The key function of a hotel self-service kiosk is to give a boost to this hospitality.

According to this, without a kiosk, your full suite of technology solutions is not really complete. To acquire its best efficiency, installing a kiosk is a must! 

(But I am not going to push my opinion over you.)

I just want to give you a clear perspective on why kiosks are a need in this constantly growing hotel industry. For this, I will make hoteliers understand how a kiosk works and streamlines their operations effectively.

Therefore, in the next section, I am sharing all the benefits of a hotel self-check-in kiosk.

10 Benefits of Hotel Self-Service Kiosks

Hotel Self Check-In Kiosks are not just limited to guest satisfaction, it goes beyond that. Your hotel staff also get to enjoy various benefits.

So let’s just hop in and see what all wonders a hotel self-check-in machine can do:

1. Eliminate the front desk fuss

A front desk is the trickiest place in any hotel. With all the guests having unique demands and expectations, it gets difficult to perform front desk operations fluently. But with the kiosks by your side, you can turn this around.

When most of your guests will use kiosks for check-ins and check-outs, you will only have a handful of guests at the front desk who genuinely needs human assistance. And for those, your front desk staff can deliver the best of their services.

In addition, you might not require as many staff members as before (saving on that).

2. Say goodbye to queues

Availing of self-check-in and check-out services through kiosks takes not more than a few minutes. Guests just need to enter their detail, select their room, pay for it and they are out with their keycard. 

Unlike the front desk, they do not have to engage themselves in a dialogue process. This means Kiosks save you from long waiting queues.

Being a hotelier, you may agree that keeping your guest waiting is a setback. Even if you have a dedicated concierge, a guest would want to check-in at the earliest.

So if your hotel is stuck in managing the waiting lines, then the kiosk is your way out.

3. Acquire a modernized look

Nowadays guests are always on the lookout for a well-developed hotel where they can get a luxurious vibe. Along with the infrastructure, furnishing, and services, modern technology and automated operations give hotels an affluent look.

A kiosk gives a modern outlook to hospitality businesses with its functions, user-friendly interface, and digitalized technology.

Your guests use this device at check-in and check-out, so they are likely to get a long-lasting impression from its usage. It will add weight to your hotel’s image.

4. Cut down on human error

The major benefit of installing technology is that it nullifies the chances of error. It is true that we humans can misinterpret things more often than a machine. 

For instance, a human can sometimes make mistakes while processing cash payments but a kiosk will be accurate in its calculations. We may mix up things while multi-tasking but a kiosk will maintain transparency at its best.

Hence, keeping in view, that these small human errors can become a considerable reason for your guest to question your hospitality, why not use a kiosk to eliminate them all at once?

5. Upsell your resources effectively

I think it is a clear psychology that most people get skeptical and deny the additional resources when sold in offline mode. However in online mode (say while doing online shopping), with the visuals on the screen, people end up buying more things. This is why upselling your services at the front desk results in a low success rate.

At the front desk, guests do not get enough time to make a decision because (a) they are mostly in hurry and (b) they think it is a tactic to add more value to their bills.

However, with the kiosks, guests get personal space, time, and a well-showcased catalog to choose from and add the resources easily with just one tap. Moreover, the charges are added automatically so their psyche doesn’t question them on spending more.

6. Focus on meaningful guest interaction

No doubt, hotel operations take a lot of time for the hotel staff. Not only check-ins, check-outs, or guest services but handling and processing all the data on the system takes significant time. Among all this, do your staff get enough time to interact with the guests?

If not, then a hotel kiosk can make that happen. It saves the time of your guest as well as your staff to help them get along on the interaction part.

Now you know that installing a kiosk doesn’t mean cutting off human interaction. On the contrary, your staff gets to welcome your guests nicely. They can offer them great services and assistance in the meantime.

7. Add weight to personalization

The hotel kiosk system helps your guests to choose what’s best for them. At the front desk when you ask about their personal choices for the various services you have in the bucket, it gets a little too much to process at once.

Choosing a suitable set of things becomes easy when it is listed properly, you can go through the options and choose them with a tap.

For example, choosing the type of room you want: smoking/non-smoking, double bed/two separate beds, deciding whether you want complimentary lunch/dinner, what payment gateway you want to use to clear bills, and much more.

You can categorize everything in the kiosk so your guests can select them at their convenience. Along with adding value, it also automates the process of personalization.

8. Satisfy the introverts too

Being an introvert is a lot of pressure. You want things but can’t ask for them and when you finally ask, the opportunity is long gone.

(No, I am not talking about myself.)

There are times when introverts even struggle to ask important questions like, “Where is my balance worth 1000 bucks?” (Just kidding)

But this can’t be denied that there are a lot of introverted people nowadays and they simply hesitate to make decisions on the spot (say, at the front desk).

For them, a kiosk is a big-time life savior as it gives them space to choose the suitable set of services for themselves.

9. Save everyone’s time

As a hotelier, you would agree that your guest loves to save time. Not only them, but even your staff wants exactly that.

Everyone wants to accomplish a lot of things in a day. And if only checking in takes a lot of their time then it is not impressive at all.

Therefore, installing kiosks to speed up your operations is a fair decision as it saves a lot of time for both parties.

10. Keep technology by your side

As I mentioned in my previous blogs, millennials choose hotels having modern solutions, facilities, and technology. It is not just millennials but anyone traveling nowadays looks up to that.

People are getting tech-savvy and to attract them, hoteliers need to skill up at the technological parameters. Kiosks can definitely help them achieve that.

And this must be noted that once modern technologies are by your side, you also start fetching international recognition.

FAQs

The post Hotel Self-Service Kiosk: Why Is It a Must-Have? appeared first on eZee Absolute.

And guess what?

Through all my travel experience, lately, what I have drawn is that hotels aren’t really focusing on catering to millennials.

Last year, when I was in Vientiane, Laos, my hotel didn’t have a stable internet connection. And working with the laggy internet was frustrating.

I didn’t take much time to check out from that hotel.

This isn’t just me. I am sure hundreds and thousands of other millennials would agree with me.

So, hey hoteliers, if you’re reading this, I am here to discuss ‘how you can turn your hotel millennial-centric’.

Trust me, we millennials have quirks and expect our hotel experience to be a little different than others.

If you have been struggling to cater to us, then you’re in luck as I am going to list some of the prominent tips to offer millennials a great experience.

What Do Millennial Hotel Guests Want?

In most common situations, millennials follow a busy and cluttered schedule in their regular life where they do not get to spend quality time with family, friends, or themselves.

The reason they go on a vacation is not just the craze to explore the world but to spend some days without work stress, doing fun activities, and relaxing.

Fun fact: According to a survey result, 83 percent of millennials somewhat or strongly agreed with the statement “I’m all about taking a nap on the beach, spa treatments, and all-day relaxation”

This means comfort is the basic key to targeting millennial guests as they long for a vacation that comes with every service and minimum effort.

Explore more about the travel trends of millennials

Ways to Attract Millennials to Your Hotel

To cater to them, the hospitality industry needs to keep a checklist of what millennials are looking for in hotels while traveling.

For making it convenient, I am sharing with you all the contemporary ways to attract millennials to your hotel. These are easy to be followed at any hotel and can make a massive difference in driving booking from this group of travelers.

1. An amiable ambiance

People today are sensitive to how they are treated at any place. Especially on vacation, they need everything to be positive, and the people around them to be welcoming.

So your hotel, its staff, and overall ambiance should set up a friendly tone. Giving a kickstart with unnecessary professional attitudes can make your millennial friend feel aloof and uncomfortable.

Therefore, it is important to train your hotel staff in a way that your guests feel light and cheerful while interacting with them.

Moreover, the basic tone of your hotel should feel comforting; this includes the building, its colors, and the vibe of the whole space.

Millennials might not spot the particular thing which is wrong but they will just not feel excited if things are in any way dull or lousy.

2. Value for money

Millennials earn, save, and spend their money with care. These people are much more experienced in handling finance and judging services by value.

Therefore, it is a compulsion to give justice to what they pay.

They can live with less adventure but not with fewer facilities. So if they have booked your hotel, then they must have inquired or seen reviews to make sure that your property offers all the necessary amenities at a reasonable price. And it becomes your job to ensure they get it all; be it travel conveyance, good food, comfortable rooms, or quick service.

3. Mobile tech-first

Nobody likes to carry around various documents, papers, or even money nowadays, especially when they are going on a vacay. And millennials are the generation of people that have seen the revolution in mobile technology from the very start.

They are up to date with technology and prefer things to get done with a few clicks. Hence your hotel must become tech-first to give a green signal to millennials. 

Let’s see how.

Millennials travel with planning, the priority being where they will stay. To finalize this, they will always surf the internet. 

Now, if you have not made a website or listed your hotel on Google My Business (GMB) and OTA platforms, they can never reach you.

If they need to call the frontdesk for every small thing rather than just getting access to everything digitally, that will also be a buzzkill.

If they can’t make cashless payments, that will be a killjoy.

It means technology is a major factor through which hotels can keep up with millennials.

4. Transparent hotel policies

Transparency is the key to your hotel’s success. If you are not honest about your policies from the very start then you can lose your millennial audience in no time.

Because these are the people who get agitated the most in such situations where hotels do not mention their policies clearly or only mention when something goes wrong. This is a big disappointment!

Let’s look at this with an example:

Samay has to travel with his pet. He surfed through many booking platforms using a specific keyword – “pet-friendly hotel” and got one property claiming they welcome pets wholeheartedly. So, he made the pre-paid booking. 

However, at the time of check-in, he was told to pay additional charges for his pet. 

See, the reason for his dismay was not that he had to pay extra charges for the pet. But the hotel has showcased only half information about its policy. They have displayed their pet-friendly services but not the charges they cost.

So, even after providing an additional service, hotels can lose their integrity if their policies are not clearly mentioned and taken care of.

5. Indigenous frills

Millennials are always longing to mingle with activities, food, clothing, and even the slang language of the place they are visiting. They desire to enjoy a 360-degree tour of the place and its cultural roots. (Xanax)

To put a fair impression on them, turn your hotel into a flavor of the place they are visiting; in terms of infrastructure, services, food, and overall hospitality. 

For instance, you can welcome them with a snack your place is famous for. In addition, have proximity to the local beauty such as markets, popular monuments, and restaurants having indigenous cuisines.

Millennials love to breathe in the new air because this is why they are visiting the new place – to explore its unique features.

6. Spaces to socialize

There is one thing that most millennials are good at, and that is ‘building real-life networks’.

Even if they are traveling alone, they will find a companion just like themselves and hit it off. Therefore it is only considerate to provide them such spaces where they can socialize and meet new people.

To fulfill this you can set up an in-house restaurant or a small gym area. You can also host some interesting activities or events, where they can socialize and play something together.

Apart from this, utilizing the roof is important for such spaces because a roof can attract a lot of people without much effort. Be it a rooftop bar, a clean pool, or a gaming area.

7. Coworking space

As I mentioned at the start, with changing times and technology, millennials nowadays prefer to work remotely in the comfort of their homes. And while doing this, they can easily plan and go on workations; for they have the leverage of working and vacationing together.

The only terms required here are a good network and workspace. If your hotel provides them with these two things then millennials are all yours.

Though it is comfortable for them to work from their room, they want to go out too. They don’t want to feel like they are at home.

Here comes the need of building a dedicated coworking space in your hotel and set up a required ambiance for working people, and bleisure travelers, who have to take client meetings, to help them crack their deals.

8. Blend of aesthetic and modern

Millennials have become modern in this digital era, yet they seek aesthetic beauty while on a vacation. 

To complement this requirement, your hotel, along with modern tools and technologies, should have an aesthetic beauty attached to it.

Though your hotel building can play a big role in setting up the aesthetic score, there has to be beauty otherwise; the furniture, lighting, artsy decor, and most importantly greenery - trees, and flowers.

These small things can help set a bright mood as most millennials travel from cities to vacation spots and are always up for a green breeze.

9. Personalization

In the hospitality industry, the power of personalization can never be neglected and the same is true with millennials.

When you offer even the tiniest personalized service, they feel like they are in charge of choosing things on their vacation and they like this idea.

Attract them in with this power of control.

You can maybe ask them their food preferences when they book your hotel and give them a welcome meal, help them get trusted conveyance for traveling around, and if they make a special request, do consider it.

10. An extra dose of comfort

Millennials are working all the time whether it is to earn or to run domestic chores therefore, it is reasonable to long for more comfort.

To cater to this, you can provide them with a few services to bring them a feeling of relaxation; a spa service, hot water bath, massage services, an outdoor pool, or whatever best suits your hotel.

Also if you are offering complimentary meals then set the time limits a bit open. I have seen hotels keeping the breakfast only till 7 AM and after that, you need to buy it. This can break the comfort zone of your guests who aren’t morning people and wake up at 9 or 10 AM – which is most of the millennials on trips or vacations.

Also, keep these services free or at discounts, or you can maybe give them a coupon when they book you. It will enhance your image for your millennial guest.

The post How to Turn Your Hotel Millennial-Centric? [10 Effective Ways] appeared first on eZee Absolute.

The way technology emerged in this volatile industry and transformed the way hotel businesses operate is just supremely impressive.

But (there’s always a BUT), many accommodation providers around the world are still refraining from using any sort of hospitality technology solution.

And this is because, either they are not aware of the merits, skeptical about it, overwhelmed with all the options available, or they are just in denial.

Whatever is the case, avoiding hospitality technology and solutions, that too in this digital age, isn’t the right thing to do.

So, here I am again to change your perception of technology. 

If you have been clueless about what type of hospitality technology solutions you need to incorporate into your property, this blog is for you.

Technology is a Pressing Priority for Hotels

The above heading is a tall statement, but it’s certainly based on facts and the current industry scenario.

At present, a huge number of hotels operate keeping technology at the center. From acquiring bookings, delivering guest experience, enhancing hotel operations, to carrying out various post-stay activities, everything has a touch of technology.

In a recent survey around reasons to use technology, this is what hoteliers stated:

• 24% of respondents said that improving the guest experience is the prime reason.
• 18% said they want to grow their profits.
• 16% said they want to make their hotel future-proof.
• And the rest of the respondents stated they want to gain a competitive advantage, grow top-line revenue, and save money and time.

The above statistics speak volumes about the significance of hospitality technology and solutions in today’s hospitality segment.

Now, the cloud is also one of the major aspects of this whole shebang, and there’s another survey that certainly proves the point why the cloud holds the center stage.

Executives in the global travel and hospitality industry were surveyed to determine the prominence of the cloud in the industry.

• A whopping 54% of the respondents said that the cloud makes their business agile.
• And 53% said it enhances the guest experience to a higher level.

Essential Technologies for Hotels to Incorporate

The technologies mentioned in this section are the ones that play a pivotal role in a hotel’s success. So, check each one of them and see which ones are the best fit. 

1. Cloud-based Property Management System (PMS)

Whenever it’s about hotel technology, the first and foremost thing that comes to mind is a “property management system”, especially “cloud-based”. It is undoubtedly one of the essential hospitality technology solutions for hotels worldwide.

A cloud-based hotel PMS is a system that can be accessed via a secure login using a computer or mobile device connected to the Internet, anywhere in the world. It helps hotels in not just managing but also automating crucial tasks such as front-office, bookings, accounting, guest check-in/check-out, room assignment, and other necessary day-to-day hotel operations.

Not to mention, there are various new technologies in the hospitality industry, but PMS remains the epicenter.  

A cloud hotel PMS is at the heart of all the technological integration. When other systems are connected to a PMS, it makes everything work together. 

Therefore, if you have been planning to turn your hotel tech-first, this is the first solution you need to incorporate.

2. Channel Manager

If you have observed the hospitality industry for a little longer than the last few years, you must have noticed that the internet has significantly changed various aspects of it. And one of them is in regards to online bookings.

Today, can a hotel overlook the importance of online reservation platforms (or OTAs)?

Absolutely not! They have to list themselves on all the relevant OTAs because they help in maximizing revenue.

However, there’s a challenge. It is difficult to manage all the listings on various platforms. On top of it, what about room inventory updates? The obstacles are legitimate.

This is where a channel manager comes in.

A channel manager is a piece of hotel tech that allows a property to manage multiple listings and update inventory in real-time across all connected distribution channels.

For example, you receive a booking from one of the OTAs you’re connected to. Now, you don’t have to log into other OTAs and mark the room as booked. The channel manager does this automatically and in real-time.

With a channel manager in place, you not just automate your operational tasks but also help your potential guests make the most informed decisions. 

3. Booking Engine

“Every hotel needs a website,” they said. But no one has ever mentioned that every hotel also needs a booking engine.

What is the point of a hotel website where people cannot make a reservation?

But with a cloud-powered booking engine, you can change the entire game.

It is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application that hotels can integrate into their website and PMS, allowing potential guests to reserve a stay online.

Top-notch booking engines also allow hotels to upsell, create packages, promotions, and exclusive deals for frequent guests, offer payment gateway options, and more.

Not to mention, there are booking engines available that also assist hotels in converting their Facebook page followers into happy guests with the help of social media integration.

All of it at absolutely 0% commission.

If these features don’t convince you to get a booking engine for your hotel, then I don’t know what would.

4. Contactless solution

Many say contactless technology is only relevant during the covid times. However, that’s not true.

Contactless hospitality technology solutions have been around even before the pandemic. It’s just that this particular technology has gained traction during the covid crisis.

Now, what’s interesting is that travelers’ behaviors have changed lately and hotels have realized it. Meaning, properties are now inclined toward incorporating contactless solutions in as many aspects as possible.

With contactless solutions in place, accommodation providers can allow their guests to book their stay, pick their room, check-in, avail services, make payment, and even check-out, with little to no human involvement.

Simply put, the guests have the power to customize their stay the way they want, right from the convenience of their smartphones.

Despite all of these advantages, I can see a lot of hotels shying from it. That shouldn’t be the case. Contactless technology is here to stay and transform the industry for the good. It is the key to delivering exceptional guest experiences and boosting revenue.

5. POS management system

Do you have a point-of-sale outlet at your property?

If so, a cloud-based POS system is a must-have for you.

A POS module integrated into your hotel PMS lets you manage multiple point-of-sale outlets at your property; be it a restaurant, mini bar, spa, or travel desk.

For example, you have a restaurant on your property. With a POS management system, you can take orders directly from dine-in guests, transfer orders to the room as "Room Service", let your guests settle bills during check-out and even bill directly to the company (in case of corporate bookings).

A smart and robust POS management system let you not just streamline services with top-notch features but also automate all the mundane tasks.

Hoteliering can be significantly easy with feature-rich hospitality technology solutions like this.

6. Mobile PMS

There are times when you have to be away from your property. But that doesn’t have to take a toll on your hotel operations.

This is when a hotel management app comes into the picture.

With a mobile PMS app, a hotelier can perform almost every task that s/he could with a computer. From keeping an eye on new reservations and in-house guests, checking OTA inventory updates, and settling folios, to generating prominent hotel reports, a PMS app will give you complete control of your hotel business.

Simply put, you can manage your hotel from anywhere, anytime; right from your mobile device.

7. Revenue Management System

Maybe you have a luxurious boutique property or an aesthetic B&B. But if you don’t have a strong revenue management strategy, all your efforts of running an accommodation will go down in vain.

Revenue management is undoubtedly one of the most prominent aspects of the hospitality industry. Hotels that know how to anticipate demand, optimize availability, and price rooms the right way, witness the best possible results, both in terms of reputation and profitability.

With a robust revenue management system, you become capable of leveraging data. You can better analyze your competitors and your business performance and see where you stand in the market. 

Not to mention, dynamic pricing is another added advantage you get with a revenue management system. Simply put, you can set flexible prices for products or services based on current market demands.

Revenue management currently is the need of the hour. Hotels that are turning to it are witnessing legitimate results.

The post 7 Essential Hotel Technology Solutions You Should Invest In Now appeared first on eZee Absolute.

However, while many are excited about technology entering the hotel workforce, many seem to be highly sceptical.

The impact of technology on the hospitality job market has gained significant attention in recent years. But several breathless media coverages have bluntly framed technology like AI and robotics as evil, and made people believe that it will be replacing human jobs in the future.

I understand their concern completely. Who wouldn’t be worried if they feel their jobs are at stake?

So, lately, I decided to address the elephant in the room — will machines replace humans in the hospitality industry?

But before I go on, I want to state exactly what I feel. Then, going forward, I will justify my take.

Technology, indeed, has transformed how hotels operate. Hoteliers today don’t have to stress over keeping a constant eye on the operations as they are automated.

However, even though technology in hospitality is getting smarter and serving hotels in many ways, we’re far from the dystopian world. Hospitality professionals are not going to lose their jobs anytime soon.

I will come back to this. But now let’s look at all the other aspects of how technology affects employment in the hospitality industry.

What Do Numbers Say?

The reason I feel this way is because prior to becoming a hospitality blogger, I was a part of the AI domain.

I have talked to dozens of experts and almost everyone has a similar opinion. And it’s not just all theoretical. Even though technology is evolving rapidly with AI being the fine example, we can see the limitations that machines have.

Machines will always be machines. We cannot program or deploy them with ethics and consciousness.

I know, there’s another side of the story too.

Many might argue that it’s wrong because the buttons inside lifts have displaced elevator operators or the OTAs have eliminated travel agencies and tour operators out of business.

Many reports suggest that about 400,000 jobs were lost to automation in U.S. factories from 1990 to 2007. 

I agree technology will certainly replace some jobs, but the chances of it washing off every human job are bleak.

There’s one report by the World Economic Forum that suggests 85 million jobs will be replaced by machines by the year 2025. However, the same report also states that 97 million new jobs will be created by 2025 because of technologies like AI.

All the above arguments are based on technology in general. Now, let’s understand its impact specifically on the hospitality industry.

How Technology is Becoming a Companion for Hotels

To understand better, let’s go back in time and look at things from the get-go.

In 1865, The British firm of Easton and Amos installed a direct-action passenger lift, with a travel of 17 meters, in the Brighton Hotel. Hydraulic elevators were also installed in the six-story Grand Hotel in Paris.

This was the very beginning of technology invading hotels. Since then, a bazillion innovations have happened. Be it electric lights, in-room telephones, kiosks, automated systems, or robots.

The industry has come a pretty long and exciting way.

But if you look closely, most of the hotel tech is only easing up human efforts rather than eliminating it. 

The latest advancements are much more relevant and paint the exact picture. Let’s take the example of a hotel PMS.

Today, numerous hotels have deployed some sort of property management system. But does that mean frontdesk employees are losing their job? Absolutely not! 

A hotel PMS automates and streamlines hotel operations. Meaning, it makes it easier for the frontdesk and other employees to perform their tasks without any discrepancies.

Similarly, hotel websites and OTAs have also transformed the way people book a hotel.

Two decades ago, if you wanted to make a hotel reservation you would call the hotel or send an email. Or you would reach out to a travel agent to create an entire package for you.

But today, all of these tasks can be done with a few clicks. With technologies like booking engines and channel managers, things get way too simple.

At present, there are several technologies available that get integrated with a hotel PMS and all they do is make the human job easier. They are all more like companions.

Now, to reach this stage of evolution, did hotels have to let go of certain job roles? I don’t think so.

Might Eliminate a Few Jobs?

In one of my previous articles, I have talked about how technology can help hotels in improving their concierge services. Then, there’s another blog where I have discussed how technology is changing the hotel job market and also helping hotels deal with labour shortages.

If you read them, you’ll understand that hotel tech is about eliminating only the mundane tasks or the tasks that don’t really need any human involvement.

Talking about job loss, going forward, certain roles might fade. But that won’t be because technology is better than humans. Rather, they’ll be eliminated because they don’t require any human effort.

For example, an AI-powered chatbot might take over one part of a concierge job — answering questions, making a reservation, or booking a cab.

Again, this transformation will rather empower hoteliers in utilising their staff to ensure guest experience.

The post Will Machines Replace Humans in the Hospitality Industry? appeared first on eZee Absolute.

Remember me? I am that same puppy from the blog about pet-friendly hotels.

My hooman received a lot of appreciation for that blog. And guess what? We even stayed at a pet-friendly hotel recently.

You guys must be wondering why I am here. Well, I got a little something to share.

I asked my hooman to do it, but he’s a little reluctant.

So, the thing is……

Okay Maya, time’s up! You can go have your chew stick. I will take this from here.

As Maya said, we have been to a pet-friendly hotel recently. However, we encountered a few voids around the staffs’ skill set.

Let me put them out for you.

Housekeeping Fail

Before reaching, I called up the hotel to keep the rooms tidy. But, it wasn’t done and we had to wait for an hour in the lobby. They said their housekeeping staff is caught up with other rooms, so it’s taking a little time.

Billing Blunder

I remember visiting the in-house pet shop to buy a packet of chew sticks. When I asked the outlet manager to merge the bill with the final one, he struggled with the system and couldn’t do it.

No Concierge

The same day, Maya and I decided to go for a walk and play in the pet play zone. But we didn’t know where it was. I was looking for a concierge to help us out; but unfortunately, they didn’t have a concierge as well.

It wasn’t a great experience, and for a hospitality blogger, not addressing such challenges isn’t wise. Because this is not just about my experience, it is about the hotels worldwide facing the lack of integral, skilled staff.

Labour and Skills Shortage in the Hospitality Industry

Do you know what exactly the skill and labour shortage is? If no, never mind. I will cover everything here.

The terms ‘skill and labour shortage’ are interchangeable and mean that there are not enough people available with the skills required to do the job.

And let me tell you, skill and labour shortage in the hospitality industry is real. At present, hospitality establishments are facing a severe crunch in the form of an industry-wide shortage of qualified employees.

The impact

When we talk about the impact of this phenomenon, it is not a very pleasant one.

In the intro, I have mentioned my experience. Despite all the facilities and care towards my dog, they lacked the required skilled staff to handle the inflow of guests and requests.

Now, with hindsight, even big hotels around the world find recruitment harder each year and have concerns about hiring in the future. As a result, many positions go unfulfilled, increases the workload on the existing staff, and hampers guests’ experience.

If we look at the broader picture, labour issues in the hospitality industry are not because of the lack of opportunities or job openings.

According to a report, employment in the leisure and hospitality industry rose by 331,000 in April as pandemic-induced restrictions were eased. But despite that, many accommodation providers are having trouble hiring people.

Why exactly is this happening? Is it only because of the ongoing COVID-19? If so, why are hotels not able to lure back their workers? Why is there a shortage of staff in the hospitality industry?

Causes for Labour Shortage in Hospitality Industry

There are several reasons for the pain points that lead to labour shortage in the hospitality industry. 

If we talk about the COVID situation, hospitality workers witnessed massive layoffs, low pay, and a stressful workplace. One way or the other, hospitality workers were adversely affected.

Worst still, the majority of the workers have put off the idea of returning to the industry.

Now, this is just one aspect of the whole shebang. Let us look at some other reasons as well.

• Wage is a major factor in skill shortage in hospitality. Comparatively, wages in this domain are low. This is why hospitality staff tend to leave jobs at higher rates than any other sector.
• Hospitality staff tends to drop morale quickly because the industry often calls for high-pressure work environments. Moreover, when someone underperforms, the entire organization gets a judgment from guests.
• The lack of an effective hiring system is another reason why people are reluctant to enter this industry. Often, hotels make jargonised job descriptions and job expectations aren’t clearly communicated. Meaning, candidates don’t really get to know what they are opting for.
• There’s a lack of a growth plan for all employees as well, even if they are only hired seasonally or at a young age.
• People who want to get into hospitality don’t get proper training. Even though there are a lot of training institutes, a majority of them lack the quality.

These are just a few factors. Many other ‘not-so-talked-about’ aspects also drive staff shortage.

However, skill and labour shortage in the hotel industry is not something that can’t be fixed. Hotels need to sincerely look at the voids and tweak their operating model accordingly.

Technology is the Hotel Industry’s Saving Grace

Even though there are various solutions to labour shortages in the hotel industry, technology seems to be the most effective one.

In this section, I am listing all the possible ways technology can help.

1. Automation in hotel operations

The hotel industry has evolved and is moving towards automation. The prime reasons for turning to automation are increasing productivity, lowering costs, and providing a better experience for both staff and guests.

Over and above, it also fills the labour shortage gap in hotels.

You can take my example.

If the hotel I visited had an automated system, I could simply raise my concern regarding room cleaning, and it would get allotted to the concerned housekeeping staff.

Furthermore, automation helps with marketing, reservation, and updating room inventory.

Again, for example, if a hotel deploys a channel manager, it doesn’t have to worry about having a staff always available to update the inventory. The channel manager would take care of it; that too in real-time.

A website booking engine is also a part of this. It not only automates your booking process but makes it supremely seamless.

The bottom line is; hotels must incorporate a property management system (PMS) that offers a variety of integration to automate every single operation.

Here is a resource to help you with more information.

2. Contactless hospitality

Contactless hospitality is one of the strategies to deal with labour shortages. Not just that, it also ensures that your guests and existing staff are safe.

How does this work?

Contactless hospitality solutions empower hotels to let their guests select their room, check-in, avail all the services, make payment, and even check-out, with little to no human involvement.

Self-service kiosks are also a part of many contactless service providers. Multiple kiosks can be placed in the hotel for guests to check themselves in and avail other services.

You don’t have to worry about having a low number of staff. Also, your existing staff can now focus more on other aspects of a hotel.

Moreover, contactless hospitality solutions are nothing less than a blessing for hotels amid this pandemic. They can be a major catalyst in a hotel’s recovery process.

3. Guest Centric In-Room Services

Personally, I don’t like using the intercom. You have to call the concerned department, let them know about your requests, sometimes they get it right and sometimes they don’t. Basically, they are prone to discrepancies.

But how about keeping a smart tablet in the room?

For example, you want to order a meal and choose what you would like to have. So, instead of using the intercom and placing your order, you can simply use the tablet. You can select the restaurant module, check the menu, make the payment or add it to the final bill and order. Everything is automated.

Now, do you feel that there’s a need to have staff just for this task? I am sure you’re getting the point.   

4. Mobile hotel app

A mobile app is a critical element of a hotel. With an app, people get instant access to your hotel information and can book within a couple of thumb touches if they choose to.

Also, it can be used the same way as the tablet (as mentioned above). It will act as a complete solution for every single guest need.

Now, in terms of a hotelier, it is guaranteed to make life easier. It gives a hotelier the power to manage hotel operations from anywhere, anytime and with the same level of preciseness as a computer.

5. Virtual concierge

Remember I said I was looking for a concierge when Maya and I wanted to visit the play area?

Well, if the hotel had a virtual concierge, I could get all the information in just a few clicks.

And if you look at the broader picture, a virtual concierge is way more effective than a conventional one. It can handle multiple queries at a time and deliver solutions in seconds.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, going forward, I can see the role of a human concierge fading. It’s bitter but true.

Not to mention, chatbots are also a part of the virtual assistance aspect. A chatbot could also be programmed to work as a concierge. 

We have a blog on how a chatbot could become a digital concierge. Do give it a read. 

6. Security robots

Security robots come in different forms and capabilities. But for your hotel, you just need a bot that can scan luggage and can be used for surveillance.

These robots are becoming a more common sight in hotels these days because they are capable of collecting more data than conventional guards. However, that doesn’t mean guard jobs are at stake. They can work in collaboration to ensure better safety.

7. Other Robots

It is not just the security aspect but robots can help in many other ways. Let me talk about the three most common areas where robots can help you cope with skill shortages.

• Robots can also be used as hotel porters. There are robots available in the market that not only greet guests but also help them by carrying their luggage.
• Vending machines in hotels are also a great inclusion. It ensures that there’s some sort of cash inflow from the POS and eliminates the need for a guest to seek help when looking to buy snacks.
• Robots are now cooking our food and being used widely in hotels and restaurants. In one of our blogs for restaurants, we have talked about kitchen robots. Read it to know more about them.

8. AI-powered staffing

The hiring processes in many hospitality establishments aren’t effective.

What most hotels do is just seek to fill their recruiting funnel. Further, they often advertise jobs that don’t exist, hoping to find people who might be useful later on or in a different context.

This is a completely wrong approach to hiring.

But it’s not just the hiring model, hotels need a system that can make the process more precise and less time-consuming.

This is where AI-powered staffing comes into the picture.

AI staffing systems scamper through a big pool of applicants. Not just that, it can also collect more data, evaluate them, assess their skills, and find the right candidate for a role.

Further, AI eliminates human bias. Conscious or unconscious, there’s always some sort of bias involved when humans make decisions. But this is not the case with AI — It matches the candidates based on data and not on emotion.

9. Cross-resource utilization

So far we have learned about several ways to manage skills shortage in the hospitality industry. Now, let’s look at one of the underrated yet one of the most effective methods.

Cross-resource utilization is about equipping the staff with a secondary skillset so that they can jump into another role in a pinch. However, not many hotels practice this strategy.

Things have changed lately, there are tech-oriented training systems available for hotels to train their staff.

With such a system in place, your staff can learn more about other departments and tasks without hampering their current role. Additionally, these systems are cloud-based; meaning, they can be accessed from anywhere, anytime.

If your hotel has not turned to these sorts of solutions yet, it is high time to do so.

The post 9 Ways Technology Can Help Overcome Labour Shortage in the Hospitality Industry appeared first on eZee Absolute.

However, the most intriguing part of his character is his virtual assistant – JARVIS. The way it helps him fight aliens and do all the cool stuff is commendable. 

Inspired by that concept, chatbots came into existence. Yeah, they are your virtual assistants while surfing the internet.

If you see many websites have a pop-up stating – ‘How may I help you?’ 

Those are chatbots. Considering their importance, many hotels have implemented them.

In this blog, I’ll explain, all about hotel chatbots and their benefits in the hospitality industry.

What is a chatbot?

Chatbots are software applications developed to communicate with page visitors and resolve their queries.

Depending on their backend, we have two types of chatbots:

• Programmed 
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)- powered

Programmed chatbots are more or less similar to IVR (Interactive Voice Response). They have a specific set of questions and answers configured. Hence, they cannot provide solutions to queries that are out of their database.

So, they capture details of the visitors which further generates prospects. The concerned department connects with them and addresses their queries.

On the other hand, AI-powered chatbots are way more sophisticated and smart. NLP (Natural Language Processing) and machine learning keep them up to date.

In simple terms, it analyses previous conversations to understand human behaviour and responds accordingly. Because of this, the chat feels like a live conversation with a human.

Chatbots for hotels

Hotel chatbots are virtual assistants to guests in this digital epoch. They are efficient as any hotel’s front desk staff and provide guests with a high-end user experience during the booking process.

If guests visit your website, they might have certain questions. Here the chatbot would attend to their inquiries.

If they are satisfied with the answers, they might book a room at your hotel.

Your hotel’s staff does the same task. Chatbots just make this easier.

Which are some best hotel chatbots?

This might seem a bit exaggerated, but chatbots do help in increasing your hotel’s revenue. Let’s take a look at some famous hotel chatbots.

a. Rose – The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

Developed by R/GA, Rose is one of the smartest chatbots in the hospitality industry. It beautifully converses with guests and keeps them engaged on the website. 

As per the official statement released by Mamie Peers, Vice President, Digital Marketing, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas –

"Rose's playful personality has wooed hotel guests who booked directly into spending 37% more than guests who do not engage with her."

Some of its key features are :

• The sassy way of conversing with guests.
• Providing them with the hotel’s information.
• Guiding them through the booking and stay.
• Suggesting them activities, thereby increasing the spending on the hotel.

b. Velma – Zafiro Hotel, Madrid

Velma is an AI-powered chatbot, developed by  Quicktext Inc. It can easily handle 80% of guest requests in more than 20 languages. 

As per testimonial by Zafiro Hotel, Madrid – 

"With Velma, we have seen a revolution, change in management and customer support. Plus a profit of 47000€ from the bookings in the last six months."

Some of the features of Velma are:

• CRM integration helps with guest profiling.
• Generating leads by sending an instant notification to the sales team. 
• Maximum engagement with guests by sharing the best available deals and offers.

Where are chatbots used in hotels?

When I say chatbot, you would think of one on a website. But, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here are 3 major channels of chatbots in the hospitality industry.

Facebook chatbots

If you visit any hotel’s Facebook page, you may receive an automated message in your inbox. That’s through a Facebook chatbot.

The message conveys general information about the hotel with a link to its website. The page visitors can ask their queries to the chatbot and it will provide them with appropriate answers. 

Because these ones are programmed, they have a limited set of memory and functions. However, they do have multiple advantages. 

For example, they will register each guest profile in your database for every unique message sent. Further, you can use this data for your hotel promotions.

Website chatbots

Website chatbots are commonly used. But, it’s essential to have one that works efficiently. 

I would recommend going with the AI-powered ones in this case. The reason is simple – Increased conversion rate.

The chatbots I talked about earlier are AI-driven. The hoteliers using them claimed an increase in their revenue.

So, you see, chatbots on websites are quite necessary, as they are the first point of contact for guests. For any queries, chatbots can come to their rescue instantly.

WhatsApp chatbots

WhatsApp chatbots also fall into the category of programmed ones. Yet, they are able to perform various complex tasks. 

A WhatsApp chatbot looks like a regular chat. It sends you personalised messages about the bookings guests have made or abandoned. 

Since they are programmed, the responses are quite generic such as:

• Reply with ‘Yes’ to confirm your mobile number.
• Reply with an appropriate option to proceed: Confirm your booking, cancel your booking, or request a callback from our team.

These chatbots are trending because WhatsApp has become a convenient mode of communication.

How using a chatbot benefit hoteliers?

Before investing in any hotel technology, you would want to know about its benefits. Here are five compelling reasons to have hotel chatbots for your property.

1. Boosts customer engagement at every stage

The primary task of chatbots in the hospitality industry is the guest engagement. A chatbot being available 24*7 for guests, efficiently achieves this. 

But, there’s more to it than meets the eye. They work as a personal assistant for guests during various stages of their stay.

Here are some activities hospitality chatbots perform at each stage:

Pre-arrival:

• Sending booking confirmation.
• Sharing details about nearby places to visit and activities to be done.
• Informing guests about their pick up details.

During stay:

• Guiding guests through hotel facilities they can avail.
• Send alerts about events or activities happening in the hotel for rejuvenation.

Post-departure:

• Share feedback links with guests to collect reviews.
• Notifying guests about ongoing offers and deals, to retain them.

Thus, use of chatbots in hotels ensure that none of your guests are left unattended.

2. Increased conversion rate with maximum lead generation

We know that chatbots communicate with guests and resolve their queries. The evolving technology has made them quite agile.

Now, they can guide guests to make a direct booking successfully in your absence. The AI-powered chatbots act as a catalyst in their decision making. 

They record the details of lost opportunities for you to act on later.

3. More cross-selling and up-selling opportunities

Chatbots increase revenue by cross-selling as well as up-selling. 

When guests are browsing the property website, chatbots highlight room upgrades and discounts they can avail. This results in an upsell.

Many hotels have some paid recreational activities like spa, bar, jacuzzi and others. During the guests’ stay, chatbots inform them about these facilities. 

This helps in cross-selling, thereby making guests spend more than usual.

4. Increased promotional follow up with guests

Guest retention costs lower than acquiring new ones. Chatbots assist in this as well.

Post guests’ departure, chatbots keep them up to date with hotel offers. They keep the guests engaged with such follow-ups.

This results in increased guest retention.

5. Higher staff efficiency

Because chatbots are initial contacts for guests, they filter the window shoppers. This saves your staff’s time and efforts.

Apart from this, many hotel bots provide a detailed report of prospects generated, converted and missed. These aids hotels to keep a track of their performance.

Conclusion

Chatbots are quite important in this digital era. They are a new trend in hotel marketing. Websites, social media, or any platform providing hotel information to guests should have a chatbot on it. 

Being technologically upgraded is the only way to survive in this competitive world. If you don’t have a chatbot, it’s time to install one now. 

The post Hotel Chatbots: A Digital Concierge For Your Guests appeared first on eZee Absolute.

But Why is Technology Important in the Hospitality Industry?

Travelers, today, are now more inclined toward services that are tech-driven, simple, and deliver personalized experiences. These changing needs and wants of travelers are defining the way hotels operate.

Further, it’s not just only delivering the guest experience, but certain technologies have also made hotel operations really seamless. Tasks that once required a lot of manpower can now be done in minutes with little to no human involvement.

To stay ahead of the game and expand business in this extremely competitive industry, technology is definitely a weapon in the arsenal of hotels worldwide.

Phil Davidson in interaction with GuestRevu said:

When it comes to managing a hotel, there are many forms of technology and the needs are very universal. Whether they’re being used in different regions or different types of accommodations, hotel technologies have undeniable benefits in terms of streamlining operations, informing operational decisions, increasing bookings, and maintaining high standards of customer service.

Gavin Philipp, VP of Operations, Charlestowne Hotels said: 

When a guest stays at a hotel, they expect their personal devices to do whatever it is they need it to do automatically – hotels need to be able to deploy the technology to do that seamlessly. They must focus on ensuring personal tech is integrated with the hotel itself.

Example of Hotels Making the Best Out of Technology

To help you understand better the role of technology in hotels, here are some examples of hotels that have turned to hotel tech and are reaping the benefits.

Boutique Hotel Palacio, Dominican Republic

Boutique Hotel Palacio in the Dominican Republic is a great example of how hotel technology increases revenue.

The hotel incorporated a cloud hotel PMS and an integrated channel manager in the tech stack as it was looking for a way to cut down on the hefty commissions to the OTAs. With the channel manager connectivity, they quickly witnessed significant gains in terms of direct bookings.

Cremorne Point Manor, Australia 

Cremorne Point Manor in Australia is a 4-star Boutique Hotel. The property was looking for a simplified process of their day-to-day routine.

They deployed a robust cloud hotel PMS along with some integrations. What did they achieve?

They have not only streamlined their hotel’s end-to-end operations but have also witnessed a 21% hike in their revenue.

Zostel, India

India’s first chain of backpacker’s hostels, Zostel is another great example of a property making the best out of technology.

Zostel is using a channel manager that allows them to control rates, and distribute inventory from a single dashboard. Also, they are able to monitor occupancy rates constantly to eliminate under bookings and boost revenues.

Palm Oasis Boutique Hotel, Thailand

Having a system that lets you strike the correct balance between OTAs and direct bookings is really important for a successful hotel business. And Thailand-based, Palm Oasis Boutique Hotel is a great example of that.

Palm Oasis deployed a hotel management system with an integrated channel manager and booking engine. They quickly witnessed the benefits it presented.

They are now able to take care of commission-free bookings from the website as well as bookings from my travel agents. And they can view all of that from one single dashboard.

How does Technology Increases Your Hotel Revenue?

We cannot emphasize enough how important technology is for modern hoteliers. And having a great hotel technology stack increases revenue. But how does that happen? Just because you have a certain tech in place, will your sales go through the roof?

Well, that’s not exactly the case. 

Smart technologies make the guest journey simple and help deliver personalized experiences. The more customers feel valued, the more they will spread the word and this drives your bookings.

Now to help you understand better, let us show you 6 ways hotel technology contributes to your revenue.

#1 Streamlines your booking process

Technologies like a cloud hotel PMS, mobile app, booking engine, and channel manager make your entire booking process really simple. The scope of error reduces significantly, which in turn saves you from booking losses.

• A hotel PMS makes your frontdesk more efficient as most of the tasks get automated. Your frontdesk staff can quickly take reservations and check-in guests. 
• With a hotel mobile app, you can manage hotel operations right from your smartphones. You can accept bookings, check-in and check-out guests, and perform a lot of other tasks. 
• Direct bookings are commission-free and contribute to your overall revenue. And a booking engine helps with just that. It provides guests with the opportunity to reserve with your hotel directly from your website and social media.
• Overbookings might cost you business. And this is where a channel manager comes into the picture. With a channel manager, you can sell your rooms on multiple OTAs at the same time. Also, it updates your inventory on all the channels in real-time, reducing the risk of overbooking.

Simply put, hotel technology allows you to accept bookings from multiple avenues in an error-free manner. Also, it makes the entire process guest-friendly which is a major factor in bringing more business.

#2 Helps you upsell and cross-sell better

You cannot neglect upselling and cross-selling at any cost when it comes to increasing your hotel revenue.

But what do you need to improve your upsell and cross-sell game? It’s DATA such as the guest’s preferences or purchase history. 

There are certain technologies that let you gather the right data in the right form, analyse them, and target guests who are more likely to buy your services. 

So, incorporate those systems in your hotel’s infrastructure, sell better, deliver a great experience and enhance your revenue.

#3 Increases staff efficiency

When hotels work towards increasing revenue, they mostly overlook their staff. It is really important for hotels to ensure staff efficiency because this enhances guest satisfaction and that ultimately contributes to your hotel revenue.

Today, technologies like cloud Hotel PMS, mobile app, automated staff training systems etc. have made the daily operations of a hotel much simpler.

Hotel’s staff now have more time to focus on guests, rather than getting busy sitting in front of the systems.  

For example: If your hotel frontdesk is equipped with an OCR-powered management system, then you don't have to manually enter all your guests’ details. You can scan the guest IDs and auto-fill the required details, making the entire process fast and simple.

#4 Makes your marketing more effective

Marketing is really crucial for a successful business, irrespective of the industry. And the hotel business is no exception. 

However, hotel marketers need to have the right metrics if they want to deliver more. This is where technology in hotels steps in.

Here’s how it helps:

• It allows you to gather and store huge data in the right form and from the right sources.
• You can use that data to understand your target audience.
• You can deliver more effective campaigns — be it an email, or an in-message ad or just an ad post on your potential guests’ social media feed. 
• Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook ads also improve your digital marketing efforts. You can run your ads based on your audience understanding, preferences and location.
• Then there’s WhatsApp marketing which has gained a lot of traction lately. You can drop personalised text messages right into your former/existing/potential guests’ WhatsApp inbox.
• Further, with technologies like beacon, you can send targeted adverts to people based on how near they are (or their device) is to your location.

#5 Helps you make informed decisions

The price you charge for your hotel rooms is vital for your business and it requires strategic decision making.

Technologies like revenue management systems and hotel PMS can make this process a bit simple for you (if not completely). A revenue management system allows you to analyse the market and helps you determine the rates that are being offered at competing hotels.

And when you have this information handy, it becomes much easier to make an informed decision which helps in boosting your hotel revenue.

#6 Improves guests’ experience

A guest is always a hotel’s priority and technology helps extensively in improving their experience. Also, the happier your guests are the more likely you are to increase your returns.

There are a lot of guest-facing technologies that are being used by hotels today. Let me help you understand with examples.

Example 1: Amid the COVID pandemic, guest safety is of utmost priority and with contactless technologies, you can avoid compromising with it. When you have a contactless system in place, you can allow your guests to bypass the frontdesk and go to their rooms directly with little to no human contact.

Example 2: Kiosk is a great way to let the guests check-in in a much simpler manner. Guests can go to a kiosk, scan their IDs, get their temperature check and check into their rooms. They don’t have to come in contact with anyone else in the hotel.

The hotel industry is anyway ever-evolving, and with the COVID pandemic, the industry is forced to transform all over again to fit into the new normal. In this entire transformation, technology is at the centre.

Hotels that are keeping abreast with the latest techs are more likely to stay profitable in the long run.

Different Ways You Can Use Technology In Your Hotel Operations

Now that we have seen how hotel technology increases revenue, let us look at some ways to use technology to increase hotel revenue.

• Frontdesk: Incorporate a cloud hotel management system that automates your hotel’s end to end operations. This will help you minimize wait time and increase your staff’s efficiency.
• Mobile App: Introduce a mobile app for your hotel to let your guests have easy access to all your services. You can also equip it with in-app messaging and AI-chatbot to communicate with your guests.
• Touchless Hospitality: Allow your guest to self-check-in at your property. The more concerned you become towards your guests’ safety, the more you gain guest loyalty.
• Direct Booking: Integrate a booking engine to your website and Facebook pages to drive more direct bookings and do away with third-party commissions.
• OTA Bookings: Have a channel manager in place to update your room inventory in all OTAs in real-time and avoid overbooking.
• Point-of-Sale System: A POS system integrated with your hotel PMS helps you streamline all your F&B services.
• Online Reputation: Get reputation management and feedback management system to strengthen your online presence. A feedback management system will help you discover how guests experience your services and a reputation management system will help you monitor guests’ reviews.
• Revenue Management: Revenue management is crucial for hotels to stay profitable. Having a revenue management system in place helps hoteliers in using data from their own hotel and from the market at large to predict consumer behaviour and sell the rooms and services at an optimal price.
• Financial Accounting: Hotel financial accounting empowers hotels to make better decisions and bring in good fortune. When you have a system that deals with your hotel finances, you can be more efficient in budgeting, forecasting, and planning future costs.

The post How Hotel Technology Extensively Contributes to Your Overall Revenue? appeared first on eZee Absolute.

1. How to Check-in the Guest using eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

The front desk is the first point of contact for any guest that comes at your doorstep. Among all that, check-in obviously becomes the foremost operation that you need to perform.

They way you perform your check-in, the time taken and how you deal with guests during their check-in poses as the first impression of your hotel on your guests.

This video explains how eZee Absolute hotel management system makes your check-in instant and simple, which eventually enhances your guest experience.

2. How to take payments using eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

Billing and payment is a significant activity at any hotel. Hotels these days, usually accept payments in several modes, viz. cash, bank transfer, credit and debit cards. Besides, some of your guests may also wish to pay you partially through different ways. Here’s where taking payments get complicated.

This video takes you through different payment scenarios which you can tackle effortlessly through eZee Absolute cloud-based hotel software.

3. How to check-out the guest using eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

Besides check-in, check-out is a complex task for any hotel front-desk. You need to check all the payment settlements, keep the invoice ready; all the while ensuring that you don’t make your guest wait.

With quick and error-free check-out process using eZee Absolute hotel PMS, you’ll proudly be able to ask for feedbacks from your happy guests.

4. A complete hotel data analysis tool – Innalytics by eZee

Keeping a tab on your hotel’s performance is an important part of your hotel management. On the same lines, you definitely need solid and accurate stats in order to formulate the best strategies to grow your hotel business.

Owing to these requisites, we came up with our most loved feature of Innalytics – a complete hotel data analysis tool.

This video talks about all that Innalytics is and provides to hotels, right from most revenue-generating channels to the best promotions and packages and to each data that would help hotels in devising strong strategies for their hotel growth.

5. How to perform night audit using eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

Night audit. One of the most-necessary operation for any hotel. You cannot simply ignore or avoid it. Because like every business owner, you too need an overall wrap-up to your day. How many arrivals, how many departures, how many guests were no-show, how much payment was taken; well the list is endless.

You get all of this information in the Night Audit process that you do when your day ends. That being said, if the night audit is lengthy and inaccurate, it may become tedious for you.

This video tells you how straightforward the night audit process becomes with our hotel management system.

6. How to add extra charges and inclusions in eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

Your day-to-day operations of adding extra charges and inclusions on any transaction become the simplest with eZee Absolute hotel software.

This is a video which explains you the concept of extra charges and inclusions if you’re not aware of it, and guides you on how to put them effectively into practice at your hotel using eZee Absolute.

7. How to take group bookings in eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

Handling individual and single booking is easy, but how about handling group reservations?

Taking group bookings takes up a lot of your front desk’s time, as you need to add the detail of all the group members, allocate the specific rooms to them and so on.  

Well, our this video shows how smooth it becomes to handle group bookings through our cloud-based hotel management system.

8. How to perform stop sell for your hotel in eZee Extranet?

Many times, it may happen that due to some or the other reason, you have to block your inventories from getting booked.

Now these sudden changes affect your inventory distribution planning to a great extent. Also when you are listed on several OTAs, it becomes very difficult to login to each one’s extranet and stop the sale of your inventories.

This video shows you how to stop sell your inventory by a single click on all your connected channels right from our channel manager, without having to login to each extranet and do this manually.

9. How to manage your hotel’s housekeeping using eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

Housekeeping, one of the crucial aspect for your hotel management. This is our video on how eZee Absolute facilitates your housekeeping operations apart from other front-office and back-office tasks.

Housekeeping might seem as an easy part to manage, but it’s actually very extensive. Any flaws in housekeeping may lead to guest displeasure and degraded guest experience.

Check out this video to know how eZee Absolute expertly manages your hotel’s housekeeping to the max.

10. How to print and email reservation voucher in eZee Absolute Hotel Management System?

Reservation vouchers are an imperative part of a hotel booking. You know very well that your guests (especially those cranky ones) won’t stay put until you provide them with a reservation voucher. And most often, you may face guests who want that in email.

This is where you’d need to print and email reservation vouchers of the bookings you received in the hotel PMS. These bookings may include your walk-ins, those from hotel website and even from the OTAs.

This video tells you how to perform this activity as and when you or your guest requires.

Besides this, we published loads of other videos on YouTube, to guide you with the best hotel management practices.

And that’s not it. We’re coming up with more such exciting and useful videos this year. Till then, stay tuned and subscribe to our YouTube channel to not miss out on any new video.

The post Our 10 Most Viewed Videos of 2018 appeared first on eZee Absolute.