TECH UPDATE | MOVERS AND SHAKERS
TECH UPDATE
The world of technology moves fast and that is evident in some of the products and services featured in our latest update . We see the more recognisable and familiar sound systems and Bluetooth enabled alarm clocks , as well as being introduced to some concepts which may be a bit more novel to the industry .
High Level Software : The HLS Marketing Suite and New Look Purchasing Journey
Driving direct bookings is ranked as the biggest challenge for hoteliers of all sizes in all locations across the world . Since its launch , the new HLS Marketing Suite is working to increase direct bookings and reduce costly commissions by giving hoteliers , the ability to design their own automated pre-and post-stay emails .
Pre-stay emails are an excellent way of increasing revenue by prompting future guests to book a restaurant table or parking space whilst post-stay emails are the ideal way to ask for a TripAdvisor or Google review , which , in turn will lead to more guests . Understanding that post-stay communication should continue on a regular basis is crucial to a hotelier - it ’ s a great way to alert past guests to special offers , new menus or extra perks . With a virtual catalogue of pre- and post-stay emails at your fingertips , turn customers into repeat guests and brand ambassadors !
With the launch of an improved booking journey , the direct booking guest is treated to a streamlined and simplified purchasing experience with the added benefit of emphasised extras and enhancements . With last-minute inventory often taken by some of the more popular OTA ’ s , it ’ s more important than ever for hotel revenue managers to tackle traveller booking habits and expectations head-on . A mobile friendly booking screen appeals to those guests who are always on the go and the easy-to-use 3 step process , provides not just a booking platform but a conversion engine . INFO : www . high-level-software . com or 03330 033320
Accubook
AccuBook is a UK and Ireland based company that has been supplying Websites , Booking Engines and Channel Managers to the accommodation sector since 2002 , and has now launched a Cloud Based PMS called www . guestdiary . com
Although you can of course get a Diary , Website , Booking Engine and Channel Managers from many different suppliers , AccuBook will supply you ALL FOUR PRODUCTS INTEGRATED .
AccuBook is now supplying over 350 B & B ’ s , guesthouses and hotels from London to Vietnam . INFO : www . accubook . net or 0208 099 4261
Company Q & A : The Booking Factory - Hotel technology trends
1 . What major trend are you seeing currently in the hotel technology space ? The world is going through a fundamental shift change where people are getting used to doing things on their mobiles , this is combined with automation and self service such as the supermarket checkout . What this means for hotels is that our guests are going to expect self service kiosks , mobile room entry and a super slick website and booking process in the near future . Hoteliers that are slow to adopt these trends will find the guest experience will be lacking .
2 . How can new technology trends make the booking process better for guests ? Hoteliers and professionals used to think
all about the booking process , but if you take a step back , booking the room is just a part of the guest journey . Your guests will have done a lot of research and comparisons on various different websites both OTA and hotel websites . I think where hoteliers need to look to next is technology tools that give a great experience in the booking process but also pre arrival , inhouse and post arrival .
3 . What innovations are happening in the booking process ? The biggest trend we are seeing is chat and voice . Essentially these two are the same except the chat is made into voice . Booking a room with the Amazon Alexa will be standard in a few years . We are currently integrating some great chat applications that keep all your chats in one place and has bots to answer guests questions and book rooms on your behalf . It all sounds a bit futuristic but if you look at what everyone is doing on their mobiles it ’ s mostly chat .
4 . What technology trend should hoteliers think about adopting first ? I think the current big thing that is both practical , affordable and a very smart move is door access solutions . We have a few hoteliers and b & b ’ s replacing their locks with smart locks that can be opened with a code or a contactless card . This allows hotels to reduce staff hours and skip waiting around for late arrivals . We found it pays for itself in less than two years and the guests love it ! But hoteliers may need to change their property management system to integrate these new technologies .
22 www . hotelowner . co . uk October 2017