Thanks to the end of the Great Recession and a number of other factors, the travel world has been seeing a boom in recent years. In 2016 alone, the worldwide hotel industry was estimated to have drawn in a stunning $550 billion. This winter alone, three in four travelers reported that they’re planning to take one or more weekend trips. That is a huge percentage compared to just a few years ago.
And with the tech world taking the world by storm over the last few years, it’s easy to understand why more hotel-goers than ever to expect the latest hotel technology wherever they end up staying. A hotel’s technology is a major indicator of quality, and no one wants to stay in an old, musty hotel with years-old phones, televisions or even hotel management systems.
So what are some of the latest trends in hotel industry technology for 2017? We’ve rounded up three of the hottest hotel technologies that your hotel would benefit from:
Accessible IT security
One of the first things your hotel should consider when looking to revamp its technology: its IT security. Given the number of hacks and digital attacks that brands have experienced over the last couple of years — not to mention the number of people who entrust you with their personal information — you’ll need to make cyber security a major priority if you haven’t already.
Improved technology in hotel rooms
No one wants to check into a hotel room that’s outfitted with a clunky old television that gets about 20 channels. Many tech companies offer package deals for bulk purchases. In 2017, hotel technology is affordable enough that a decent cable package and high-quality TV is definitely doable. Outdated technology is one of the quickest ways to disappoint hotel guests.
Working WiFi
This one should be the biggest no-brainer on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In 2017, WiFi is an absolutely essential hotel technology — and your WiFi should actually work for your guests, as well. Whether your WiFi will be offered for free or not is one thing, but your WiFi should function properly regardless of how much it costs guests to get connected. It’s no surprise that WiFi is now the No. 1 amenity that guests request.
What are some of the hotel management solutions and technologies that you think will be most popular this year? Let us know.