Hotel Owners- Is it time to consider Virtual assistants?
by Delete My Account Please A man trying to delete his accountAmazon’s virtual concierge has already been
welcomed into millions of homes, is it time to consider some for your hotel?
Free Wi-Fi, HD televisions,
Nespresso coffee machines – you’re not alone if you think your guests are
becoming more demanding. A recently published
survey from Oracle involving US and European
hotels has shown that in the age of digital technology, hotel guests are
increasing their demand for individualised and personal experiences.
With modern marvels such as
online streaming, 4G internet and same-day deliveries, it’s perhaps no surprise
that the digital age is increasing society’s list of requisites. The hotel
industry is no exception, two-thirds of the respondents in Oracle’s study
believed it to be “very” or “extremely” important that hotels invest in new and
innovative technology to provide them with an enjoyable stay.
So, what can hotel owners do
to keep up with the modern needs of today’s traveller? Why not start with the
world’s favourite new gadget and bestselling tech product - it’s time to say
hello to the smart speaker.
Smart speakers are hugely
popular wireless gadgets that have already made waves this year as a must-have
item for modern households. The devices, which use voice control and Wi-Fi to
provide real-time answers to users’ questions, can provide a variety of
services ranging from music streaming to live updates on topics such as news,
traffic and weather. At the moment, Amazon’s
Echo remains the industry
leader with 82% share of the market, however
new alternatives such as Google’s
Home and Apple’s
upcoming Homepod look to shake this up with
their own exciting offerings.
Now widely accepted in
households around the world, smart speakers have started making their debut in
the hotel industry as early adopters have begun testing the uses that virtual
assistants can provide. In America, Wynn Las Vegas has equipped
their 4,748 hotel rooms with Amazon’s personal assistant, and in the UK, Village Hotels have followed suit installing
devices in each room across all of their 28 hotels. By planting a virtual assistant in each room, hotel owners are hoping
to provide more autonomy for their guests and add an interesting touch they
will remember from their visit.
“Hello,
Google”: Here are some ways a smart speaker could help personalise your guest’s
experiences
1. Provide
information – Smart speakers are a great way
to find useful information exactly when you need it. If guests are curious
about tomorrow’s weather, local events, opening times or their football team’s
latest score, installing a smart speaker can provide them with the answers they
need from the comfort of their own bed.
2. Give
Directions – So they know the opening times
for the local museum, but how do they get there? Both Amazon Echo and Google
Home can provide walking times, bus routes and driving directions at a moment’s
notice, allowing guests to get the most out of their new location. Free apps
such as Kayak can
provide guests with even more travel information regarding flight times, car
hires and follow-up hotel bookings.
3.
Provide Music
– Listening
to music is a great way to help guests feel at home, and with the use of a
smart speaker it could not be much easier. Simply install a free streaming app
such as TuneIn or iHeartRadio to provide your guests with unlimited songs
across thousands of different radio stations, all of which can be personalised
to their own music taste.
4. Control
Devices – Music isn’t the only way smart
speakers can help set the mood, devices can be linked up to a room’s lighting,
television and thermostat using a variety of integrated products. Philips Hue
Lights, Nest’s
Smart Thermostat and WeMo’s
Smart Plug can all connect with your
speaker to provide guests with full control and the ultimate smart room
experience.
As the world continues to
become more and more integrated with technology, installing Amazon
Echo or Google
Home would be a great way to
futurise your business and offer an innovative new service that visitors will
remember. Virtual assistants are here to stay, and while it’s not quite ready
to replace your trusted concierge, a smart speaker is a smart move for any
business looking to set themselves aside and give customers something worth
talking about next time they check in.
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Created on Aug 30th 2017 05:37. Viewed 725 times.