During HITEC Toronto, Hospitality Net and HYB aim to serve as a catalyst and open platform for promoting tech-innovation in the hospitality sector. Designed as an inclusive platform, we provide a stage for diverse perspectives and opinions on how hotel technology will shape the future of hospitality. By bringing together creative minds from around the world, HN’s stage at HITEC not only unfolds cutting-edge thought-leadership but also stimulates the global hospitality industry to evolve and adapt to new challenges, paving the way for a more vibrant and prosperous future.
As technology has crept into the cycle of guest service, today’s guests have far fewer conversations with hotel staff. In the past, the hotel staff had a multitude of opportunities to wow guests with personalized, memorable, hospitality encounters. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
One of the biggest challenges facing modern hoteliers is striking the right balance between leveraging technology and preserving the human touch. Technology has the power to streamline operations and elevate guest experiences, but it’s the personal, human connections that make hospitality truly special.
Hospitality brands must shift from sterile presentations of features to narrative-driven engagements that address guests’ pain points and build emotional connections. Florencia Cueto Pedrotti, Director of Global Engagement & Sales Enablement at Shiji, sat down with Juanda Núñez, Founder of Smart Travel News. Known for his witty and engaging communication style, Juanda shared his insights about the power of personalisation, the evolving role of technology, and the importance of human connection in hospitality.
The future of hospitality lies in the hands of graduates who can blend technology with human touch, rethink outdated operations, and push for sustainability—while today’s leaders must set the pace for this transformation.
In her 1933 story, ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans’, Agatha Christie suggested that all of the answers to the murder could be answered by one person, Evans.
The term "digitalization" is often overused and sometimes misapplied, especially in industries that have already widely embraced digital transformation. Generally, digitalization refers to converting analog data and processes into digital formats. However, in sectors like hospitality, where most daily operations are already digitally based, the traditional concept of digitalization seems limited and, at times, even misleading.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with César Pérez, Director of Quality and Sustainability at Vincci Hotels, for another episode of the Shiji Insights podcast. Our conversation touched on several critical themes in hospitality today—hyper-personalization, employee satisfaction, sustainability, and the role of technology. It made me reflect on how the industry is evolving and, importantly, what remains unchanged: the significance of the human connection.
From AI-powered room service that knows your guest’s favorite midnight snack to chatbots that give travel advice like a seasoned globetrotter, artificial intelligence (AI) in hospitality is like having a unicorn in your hotel garden. You can use it to attract customers, wow them with unique, personalized experiences, and learn more about your business and customers to stay ahead of the game. Whether you're running a hotel, restaurant or travel service, AI is the technological assistant that can set you and your brand apart.
Labor shortages in the hospitality industry have evolved from a temporary challenge to the new normal. Strikes, absenteeism, and staffing gaps are pushing hotel operations to their limits, and the pressure to maintain service levels without burning out employees is intensifying. Hotel owners need quick, effective strategies to keep operations running smoothly while protecting their workforce.
In today's rapidly evolving hospitality landscape, a pressing question looms: As we embrace digitization, are we risking the loss of the human element that defines true hospitality? Or can we harness technology to enhance, rather than replace, the personal touch?
We all know that technology is rapidly transforming the hospitality industry and this is an incredibly beneficial development. Technology – like automated check-in kiosks, mobile room keys, AI-driven customer service chatbots, booking and ancillary revenue management software, and payment systems – saves us time, reduces costs, increases revenue, reduces stress, and streamlines operations in ways we couldn’t have imagined a couple of decades ago.
The service industry thrives on human connection. A friendly waiter remembering your regular order, a hairdresser who knows exactly how you like your haircut – these small touches create a sense of value and appreciation that keeps customers coming back. But in today's fast-paced world, automation is king. Self-service kiosks, chatbots, and online booking systems are all the rage, promising efficiency and convenience. So, how do service industries find the sweet spot between automation's efficiency and personalization's charm?
Irvan Sutiono’s insatiable curiosity has led him on a fascinating journey across continents. As a young student, he was drawn to the idea of fostering human progress through technology, and initially wanted to pursue bioengineering with a focus on human evolutionary biology.
In today’s digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal force across various sectors, and the hospitality industry is no exception. With its ability to process vast amounts of data, AI is becoming indispensable, with the power to significantly enhance operational efficiency and transform core functions within the sector. We explore this in the excerpt from the HSMAI Foundation Special Report: The State of Hotel Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization Talent 2023-2024.
Robots along with Artificial Reality (AR) have the ability to come together to form a new technological tool for the hospitality industry. Robots are currently being used in many different forms to make company and organizational operations more efficient. This has been a popular topic amongst the industry. Many fear this may take jobs of hard workers while others think it will make jobs easier for the workforce, as well as increase revenue.
Whether we look back 15 years, five years, or even just five months, it’s clear – our world and our industry are not what they were. Adapting to this new reality requires us to look forward rather than back, replace old habits with fresh ones, and be willing to learn new processes to make smarter decisions for the future.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing not only traditional sectors but also reshaping the very essence of hospitality and service industries. The potential for transformation is vast, yet it's imperative to advance cautiously, striking a delicate balance between technological advancement and preserving the human touch, which remains the cornerstone of the service sector.
New Risposte Turismo survey among European General Managers. The study was presented on Saturday 13 April in Venice, within the framework of the 50th Annual General Meeting of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA). The difficulty in sourcing new talent, the value of the attitude demonstrated by candidates (motivation, desire to learn and interest in improvement) during the recruitment process and the importance of remuneration for staff retention.
