Hapi, the first, disruptive open data-streaming, integration and enrichment platform in the hospitality industry, held a focus group with the Board of Governors at Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) - comprising the top CIOs and other executives in the industry - to understand the technology needs and priorities as hotels get ready to operate in the new normal, post Covid-19. The focus group attendees represent over 3.1 million rooms worldwide and Hapi was the first technology partner to undertake this new HTNG initiative.
It was evident from the discussion that investment in technology has been challenging, with most hospitality companies having had to pull back projects due to funding challenges. Technologies that are a priority across the board during this time, are those that are contactless or contact-light to decrease human interaction and to protect both guests and hotel staff. Some of the key solutions that were mentioned include mobile check-in/out, mobile keys, chat bots, mobile guest messaging, mobile food ordering and space scheduling.
“We have been speaking with our technology partners and hoteliers during this challenging time to see how Hapi can support the recovery of the industry and help hospitality companies get more and quicker value out of technology integrations that support a contactless hotel stay. Making guests feel safe is paramount to the recovery of the industry and creating self-service choices for guests will help increase traveler confidence,”, said Luis Segredo, CEO of Data Travel, LLC., providers of Hapi.
“There are some great technology providers that empower contactless hotel stays and we have been assisting them to solve the hotel systems / PMS integration hurdle through fast and affordable integration using the Hapi Cloud Data Hub,” Segredo added.
In addition to contactless and self-service technologies, there are several other Covid-19 related issues that hoteliers are looking to solve to ensure safe operations. These include the ability to schedule time slots for the use of public facilities such as a hotel gyms, as well as the ability to allocate guest rooms allowing time in between stays. Hoteliers are also looking for solutions for safe back of house operations including social distancing for staff.
There are many small areas within a hotel where automation can limit touchpoints and innovative technologies can help solve these problems.
“As the world emerges from this difficult and unprecedented time, technology can help build guest and hotel employee confidence to help the industry recover as quickly as possible. Hapi stands ready to support hotel companies and technology providers that are making it happen for those travelers who have their bags packed and their masks on,” concluded Segredo.
A list of contactless technology providers Hapi is supporting today can be found below:
Alliants - Guest messaging platform that allows guests to converse on their preferred messaging app, such as WeChat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, SMS, etc. They are offering the use of their Hotel Guest Messaging Platform free of charge until the end of 2020. www.alliants.com
BBot - A mobile ordering technology platform that allows guests to order food and drinks, with no sign-up or app download necessary. www.bbot.menu
ChicoStay - Allows guests to use their PC, Tablet or smartphone to check-in and check-out, activate mobile key and access their post -stay folio. www.chicostay.com
HelloShift - Guest messaging and service delivery request platform that allows hotels to communicate with guests via SMS text guests pre, during, and post-stay. www.helloshift.com
HotBot.ai - AI Chatbot that works with Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Viber, and Widget. www.hotbot.ai/en
Ivy by Go Moment - Combination of AI chatbot and Staff driven text messaging platform, that integrates to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant www.gomoment.com
Monscierge - SMS Messaging and mobile pre check-in platform. Upon arrival, staff can check in the guest using a secure video chat. www.monscierge.com
Robbie.ai - Guest check in platform with built in behaviour analysis and facial recognition features. www.robbie.ai
Saba - AI based chatbot that communicates with guests on their preferred platform, offering mobile Food and Beverage ordering as well, with no need for guest download. www.sabahospitality.com
STAYmyway Mobile Key - Door lock agnostic, mobile key and check-in app that comes with a BLE smart board that hotel staff can self-install to upgrade any lock to mobile key ready. www.staymyway.com
UKey Smart Solutions - Mobile app with features such as mobile check-in, mobile key, guest room automation, and guest request services. www.ukeysmart.com
Volara - Voice-based guest engagement software running on in-room hardware like the Amazon Echo. www.volara.io
Wishbox - Digitizes the guest experience by offering smart tools throughout the guest journey including digital check-in/ check-out, upsells, scheduled messages, branded guest app and more. www.wishbox.co
Zack.AI - Chatbot that uses NLP, Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to create conversational and personalized guest engagement experience. www.zack-ai.com
Zingle - Guest engagement platform that messages with guests on their preferred platform, handles service requests, and in-stay service recovery workflows.www.zingle.com
Zoox - Smart Pass is a Facial Recognition Platform for guests to check in and pay. www.zooxsmart.com/en
About Hapi
Hapi is a disruptive data streaming, integration and enrichment platform designed to solve the hotel industry's rapidly expanding data management challenges, while also addressing the traditionally high integration costs and lack of vendor alignment that inhibits innovation and efficiency.
Developed by experienced hotel technology leaders, the secure, scalable cloud-based Hapi data streaming platform is an open-source model based on the same proven technology that runs some of the world's largest social media and business services, to which multiple layers of encryption, authentication, and governance are added. With teams on three continents, Hapi provides services worldwide.
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