Learn three key takeaways from INTELITY CEO Robert Stevenson’s conversation with Lodging Magazine on how hotel technology helps alleviate common operational challenges
Recently, INTELITY CEO Robert Stevenson sat down with Lodging Magazine editor Dennis Nessler for an in-depth conversation on hotel operational efficiency for the magazine’s Lodging On Demand podcast. During the discussion, Stevenson touched on many topics, including his thoughts on the state of travel in 2023, common operational challenges facing hoteliers today and how hotel technology, like the INTELITY platform, can help alleviate some of these challenges while streamlining staff responsibilities.
During the discussion, Nessler and Stevenson discussed a few key statistics that have shown guests’ preference for technology incorporated into their hotel stay. Those stats show that:
73% of guests are more likely to stay at a hotel that’s offering self-service technology.
39% of guests would like a fully contactless experience.
38% of guests would like a fully self-service hotel stay model with staff on hand.
With more guests expecting technology to be incorporated into their hotel stay, and with more hoteliers looking to automate portions of their operations, Stevenson offered three key takeaways for hoteliers to consider:
Technology Can Help Ease Labor and Operational Efficiency Issues
While hotels have reported seeing labor issues begin to wane, Stevenson said hotel technology platforms can help hoteliers automate many back-of-house functions, which help them operate more efficiently with less staff.
Streamlining guest interactions using hotel technology, such as mobile apps and smart-room tablets, can drive more effective operations and, in turn, improve the guest’s journey. Offering a branded mobile app that features a secure mobile key option allows guests to bypass the front desk completely and head straight to their rooms upon arrival. This lets the guest avoid long lobby lines, while also freeing up the front desk staff’s time to tackle other tasks. A smart-room tablet placed bedside allows guests to order in-room dining while lounging on their bed and track their order as they would on their favorite delivery app. This helps the guest avoid having to wait on hold for a staff member to take their order, and it automates the order-taking process for the back-of-house staff.
The Guest Experience Should Still Be Front-Of-Mind
When selecting a hotel technology platform, Stevenson advised to always keep the guest experience front-of-mind.
“The guest experience component should go hand-in-hand,” he said. “You don’t want to get out of lock-step. You don’t want the operator and guest experience manager to want to do two different things. It’s important to embrace those decisions holistically.”
Select Platforms that Offer Complete Solutions
In addition to looking for an all-encompassing technology solution, Stevenson also advised finding a platform that offers a “second level of business.”
“Think about what kind of business analytics you’re going to get out of the platform and ask yourself if it does full mobile check-in,” he said. “Make sure the robustness of the features are there to meet your needs.”
To learn more about how hotel technology can improve your property’s operational efficiency, request a demo today.
