Hotel Automation: The Possible Game-Changer in Tourism & Hospitality Industry

The more hospitality grows, the more automation should be applied to avoid being dragged behind in the red ocean market of tourism and hoteliers today. Do not pass up the methods of using automation in hotel management and the lessons from 万豪酒店 Hotel for technology utilization in operating a huge number of branches worldwide described in the article below.

I, The definition of automation

Any technology, process, or procedure that reduces or eliminates inputs (human or otherwise), while preserving (or improving) outputs, is referred to as automation. The technology, process, or procedure runs on its own and requires little more input.

In its broadest definition, automation carries out tasks that previously required human labor. Automation, however, also includes autonomous decision-making to perform tasks that humans have never been able to, such as evaluating enormous data sets and continuously improving predictions, suggestions, and actions.

II, Automation is Essential for a Successful Hospitality Sector

Increased productivity, cheaper costs, improved experiences for employees and visitors, more accurate projections, and more precise pricing decisions are just a few of the advantages of automation for hotels. With automation, hotels can operate much more efficiently and get more done than less.

This is the method:

• Revenue management

Revenue management has just recently become more accessible to anyone. Only the most expensive brands could previously afford full-time revenue managers to improve their strategy. Independent hotels no longer require full-time revenue managers because they can use revenue management software like Infor EzRMS, which automates many of the tedious and administrative tasks of revenue management while also working full-time to convert the most recent property and market data into the best prices and availability.

• Housekeeping

In the past, housekeepers managed room assignments and prioritized tasks using clipboards and paper. As a result, the department wasn't as sensitive to changes in visitor flows that occurred in real-time. Automation allows housekeeping software to modify tasks to meet the most recent business requirements. Since there is no need for involvement, the business is able to optimize itself as each shift progresses. Given that a hotel room clean typically costs between $10 and $16, this can significantly increase productivity and, hence, profitability.

• Visitor communication

Hotels must think about how to interact on mobile if they want to contact visitors quickly and simply. Automating conversations through business texting is one approach to connecting with visitors on their chosen channels. These messages provide upselling and other revenue-generating options in addition to giving visitors access to crucial information (which increases pleasure). For instance, guest messaging platforms may be tailored to react to particular events, such as delivering a mid-stay note or customizing a check-out questionnaire. Communication that is used regularly benefits your property (and its visitors) considerably.

• Upselling

A smart method to create a sales culture that encourages more upsells is to teach the front desk how to "make the ask." Automated upselling is a different strategy that increases income potential all throughout the customer journey. The failure point of forgetting to launch a campaign or manually inputting the most recent guest information from the PMS into the email marketing software is being eliminated via automation. Consistency and efficiency are key to increasing your property's overall income per available room and capturing more money. Upselling software leverages your data to generate segments and match them with the most appropriate offers, which is another example of personalization in action. Higher conversion rates equate to more income.

When used wisely in a hotel operation, automation may enhance revenue, improve visitor satisfaction, raise employee productivity and happiness, and overall improve the efficiency and profitability of the business. Automation can keep your business competitive and ready to meet the changing demands of these very uncertain times as you look to the future of work.

III, Lessons learned from JW Marriott International hotel?

万豪酒店 is one of the biggest hotel chains in the world, with approximately 7,000 hotels, and it is by far the largest in terms of revenue. With a record pipeline of 478,000 rooms and operations in 130 countries and territories, it maintains growth by purchasing more modest but valuable brands, such as Delta Hotels (2015) and Starwood Hotels and Resorts (2016).

What then is the formula for Marriott's achievement??

Marriott has created the ideal corporate culture to support its ongoing attempts to win over new clients, hold onto existing ones, and enter new markets. The hotel chain's understanding of the significance of innovation and how to utilize data to inform choices is crucial. Its Data Strategy and Governance team puts creative ideas into practice to provide decision-makers with quick, easy access to integrated, high-quality data. The ultimate objective is to genuinely provide passengers with the most comfortable and welcoming travel experience possible.

How Marriott uses big data analytics to constantly improve

With the use of big data analytics, Marriott is able to gain a number of competitive advantages. The business utilizes data to monitor rival hotel chains and brands, find new opportunities for revenue outside of rooms, such as additional amenities and services, and ensure that both tourists and residents of the area are happy. Revenue management and client happiness, however, remain the company's key priorities.

Setting optimum prices is a key component of revenue management since it helps businesses achieve the highest profit margins. Marriott's Dynamic Pricing Automation method of revenue management enables the hotel chain to precisely forecast demand and consumer behavior trends.

Dynamic pricing automation requires real-time, accurate data from a variety of sources, including the average daily rate, cancellations, occupancy, revenue per available room, reservation behavior, average occupancy rate, and gross operating profit per available room. These sources also include local and global economic factors, events, and weather reports. Through the integration and analysis of all this data, Marriott is able to forecast customer behavior, assess how its properties are doing in comparison to those of its rivals in the same geographic area who are targeting similar profiles, and ultimately, adjust its pricing strategy proactively and in accordance with these findings.

The most smooth and enjoyable experience for consumers is Marriott's other key priority. To do this, the hotel chain is implementing cutting-edge digital systems in its buildings that depend on data to run effectively while also gathering priceless information on client satisfaction and visitor preferences. For instance, the business is piloting face recognition check-in, which enables visitors to do so through a computer terminal in under a minute and avoids standing in line at the front desk.

On the other hand, Marriott Hotels also exploits other automation technologies to optimize the operation, which is getting larger and larger through the years, typically The Marriott Bonvoy App gives you access to convenient travel options with tools to customize your stay, such as:

• Mobile Check-in

You may easily check-in up to two days before your stay from anywhere. When your accommodation is ready, we'll give you a notification, so just let us know when you're coming.

• Mobile Key

For immediate access to your accommodation, amenities, and more, bypass the queue and have your key delivered directly to your phone.

• Mobile Requests

With Mobile Chat, you can personalize your stay and speak with a hotel employee directly to make service requests, learn more about the facilities, or even ask for items you might have forgotten, like a toothbrush or comb.

• Meeting Technology

Our facilities can easily handle both in-person and remote guests thanks to a combination of live and virtual meeting options. Thanks to our improved meeting protocols, you may connect securely to update Wi-Fi and massive displays.

• Meeting Services App

For a totally stress-free experience, manage the specifics of your event or meeting directly from your phone. The Meeting Services App, accessible at participating hotels, enables event organizers to quickly engage with hotel staff to improve service before, during, and after your event at any time.

• Marriott ResLink Direct

Make it simple for your guests to book rooms in the group block at the group rate without having to input a code. You will get a ResLink Direct link from the venue for your event, which you may publish on your event website or distribute to guests through email.

IV, Wrap up

The case study from the 万豪酒店 hotel has provided us with a lesson for using automation technologies in the hospitality industry. The future of the tourism sector is rather optimistic given that it has already made a good recovery, according to analysts. By helping users adjust to the new normal and recovering customers' faith in the travel industry, travel startups may significantly help the sector survive in the current market environment.

By initially developing the automation technology process, your hotel will not be dragged behind in the competitive market out there. Technology outsourcing with comprehensive services, including advice for automation system creation, execution, and result estimation at a significantly lower cost, is on the rise in the IT sector.

If you would like to search for a partner to help conduct and measure the automation software's efficiency, Adamo Software , a leading Vietnam IT outsourcing company, will be an ideal one. We have deep experience in consulting, and conducting automation software development for a host of travel clients worldwide and own high-quality, dedicated development teams for the most effective services.

Visit our portfolio here: https://bit.ly/3wcefqV