Recent research on a sample of over 300 hotel leisure guests, conducted at Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL), investigated the possibilities of introducing biometric technologies into the hotel experience. The model below demonstrates the overall critical factors for the successful adoption of biometrics in hotels.

These include the specific use of the biometric device, the leisure setting, type of device, personal perception of technology and perceived benefits. This research reveals that the most critical factor from the customer point of view is the type of biometric device and the process for which it is utilized.

For the leisure hotel guest, the preferred device is Iris Scanning which is also preferred for payment systems as well as for identification purposes. This research also reveals that leisure customers who are most receptive to using biometrics are those which are already “technology friendly” and issues, such as speed of processing and accurate identification, are perceived as the main drivers of adoption.

Overall, this study reveals that 87.3% of leisure guests in this sample are favourably pre-disposed to use biometric technologies for guest services, particularly sport and outdoor activities, and those travelers to North America may be more willing than other categories of travelers to use and adopt biometric technologies.

Though previous research has indicated that the main barrier to customer adoption of biometrics may be the risk of loss of privacy, this study reveals that this is not a main concern, these respondents were willing to trade off the benefits of speed and accuracy against privacy concerns.

Model of the critical factors Influencing
Leisure Customers' Adoption of Biometrics

About the Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL)
As the oldest hotel school in the world, Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) offers university-level studies to talented and ambitious students who are aiming for top careers in the hospitality industry. It is the only institution of its kind in Europe to be accredited as an Institution of Higher Education by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), USA. In Switzerland, it is the only institute of hospitality management of HES, Haute Ecole Spécialisée (University of Applied Sciences) level offering advanced programmes which are recognized by the Federal Council. In addition to this international recognition, EHL constantly broadens the scope of its 3 academic programmes by integrating market trends and new technologies. Since its founding in 1893, EHL has educated more than 30,000 hospitality industry executives who now make up a prestigious network for every member of the EHL community. This semester, there are over 1,400 students from more than 80 different countries, enjoying the unique and enriching environment of Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. Click here for a virual tour of the school.