Get All Access for $5/mo

How is Tech Disruption Shaping the Hospitality Industry? Hoteliers all across the world have started playing with this idea to ultimately increase their bookings and be known for personalized assistance to each and every patron

By Avesh Sharma

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

When we talk about technology, the first word that comes to mind is "evolution'. This growth is not just about new trends but also includes the idea of innovation in different sectors of the industry. One such example is of the "hospitality' sector that has time and again experimented with the concept of technology and its threads. Just like a tree branching out, tech development gives birth to too many new breakthroughs, which are essential to implement.

A Glimpse of the Journey

It's no secret that the growth of the internet and technology has also fuelled up the expectations of consumers so much so that they now can't imagine paying for a room that's not well-equipped. When it comes to the hospitality segment, these revolutions and changes are welcomed, mostly because of the needs created. Similarly, hoteliers, these days are betting their money on the power of technological advancements because they know it's going to reap benefits for the future, to say the least.

The Latest Buzz about Tech Developments

Let's talk about the power of online reviews and social media presence of a brand. Whether or not someone has stayed at a hotel, the moment they open these reviews on OTAs such as BookMyTrip, Booking.com, TripAdvisor and the likes, they can see more than a glimpse, a gist of how a brand is performing in terms of guest satisfaction. It's a make or break situation for the hoteliers! But this is just a hint of what technology can do. Hotels around the world are not shying away from experimenting and the biggest example of this change is the introduction of Robots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Voice Enabled Devices, etc. If someone had talked about it 20 years ago, people would have laughed on the idea but it's no joke that hotels are using these robots at the concierge too. Moreover, hotels currently have also implemented Chatbots as it's the need of the hour. Whatever update that guests are looking for, including updates on rooms, best rates available and real-time activities, a Chatbot can easily cater to them with instant responses.

The biggest leap in the hospitality industry is hands down, the AI revolution. Although it's still a new concept, hoteliers all across the world have started playing with this idea to ultimately increase their bookings and be known for personalised assistance to each and every patron.

In order to stay relevant and be a top player, it's important for us as hoteliers to understand and comprehend the notion that's doing the rounds. The need for more use of technology to be successful is now more than just an impression, it has become a reality and more so, the inevitable. Given the pace at which the hospitality sector in India is moulding itself, there's hardly any scope for errors because there are thousands of brands that are doing the best they can.

The Way Forward

Consumers today are more tech-savvy - be it booking a room or checking-in, and that's the kind of enlargement that we can't do without. Therefore, we're looking at a scenario 5 years from now where each and every hotel, no matter how big an entity, is expected to grow exponentially as guests will become aware of both mid-segment as well as niche brands.

Needless to say, no matter how much we evolve with time, technology is one such thing that will be one step ahead of us, and it's time we catch up across all segments, including obviously Hospitality!

Avesh Sharma

Co-founder & CMO, Woodays Greenhub Kufri

Managing the complete online-offline marketing & Branding of the company
Marketing

How a Single PowerPoint Raised $300 Million for This Founder

Brandtech Group CEO David Jones explains what led him to leave his executive comfort zone to build an AI-powered tech empire from scratch.

Marketing

Many Brands Risk Being Left Behind By Overlooking These Critical Advertising Steps

Learn how to use smart marketing tools and AI to optimize online advertising and maximize ad spend in today's competitive landscape.

Leadership

The Top 5 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

What sets successful entrepreneurs apart from the rest?

Branding

You Don't Need Thousands to Turn Your Business Idea Into Reality — Here's How I Did It on a College-Kid Budget

From creating the packaging designs online by myself to learning how to take professional product photos, I found ways to launch a company on a low budget. Here's how you can do it, too.

Business News

'Love It!': A Town in Connecticut Is Experimenting with a 4-Day Workweek — and It Seems to Be Working

From small towns in Connecticut to large companies like Kickstarter, the four-day workweek is gaining steam.