As a consequence of the pandemic caused by COVID19, the tourism sector suffered huge impacts due to low occupancy rates. Considering the situation, some chains undertook a series of infrastructure, design and even construction projects in order to improve their services for once this global emergency has passed.

The current traveler, whether for tourism or business, demands fast Internet connection, HDTV, IPTV, the ability to carry out videoconferences, in-room Check Out, Video streaming, digitally control temperature and light intensity, digital curtain systems, communicate with reception using their cell phone, among other services. This makes all the difference and in many cases is what leads to one hotel being preferred over another.

In the pandemic and post-pandemic era, one of the services that made this difference was Room Office, where the rooms are transformed into private offices with all the necessary supplies to carry out remote work. Aware of the digital transformation that the industry is experiencing, Furukawa Electric, a Japanese company that manufactures complete solutions for communications network infrastructure, presents the five trends that guests expect to see in hotels in 2021.

  • Fiber optics in the room

These optical networks exponentially increase the value of the services provided by a hotel, allowing implementation of solutions such as security through images, access control through facial recognition, room personalization, automated check-in/out, digital signage, among others, which will improve user experience and increase revenue for owners.

Among the advantages of fiber-based products, transmission supported over long distances without suffering electromagnetic interference, the high transmission capacity (foundation of the technologies of the future), the reduced dimensions, etc., stand out. In addition, fiber optics offers a high degree of security for transmitted data, since it is transported in the form of light.

  • Future proof networks

It should be noted that the biggest challenge is being aware of the importance technology has in all areas, so that technology can go hand in hand with 5G networks in the tourism sector. These promise much faster data upload and download speeds, broader coverage and much more stable connections. In addition to being able to download content at a higher speed, 5G will allow technologies that were limited by 4G to be developed and implemented. In other words, the connection between smart devices will be much more efficient.

  • Big Data to benefit the guests

Hotels collect, cross-check and analyze the relevant information they generate from their customers and that allows their tastes and needs to be defined (such as the type of pillows they prefer, the ideal temperature in the room, whether they like coffee or tea, or the type of activities they like to do on vacation). The main function of Big Data is to mix the data that the hotel already has with studies of customer profiles on social media, as well as to personalize the service, improve the marketing strategy, improve customer satisfaction and thus be at the forefront of the sector.

  • Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is another of the trends that is going to take on greater prominence in 2021 within the technological solutions of the tourism sector. Communication through these AI systems, chatbots, with customers will be consolidated as a new form of communication between establishments and customers.

Some hotel chains are already introducing virtual assistants among their services that will help the customer manage hotel services or that can help to personalize the environment of their room (temperature, light, curtains, music, television…).

  • Mobile technology

The cell phone has become a tour guide, travel agency, best restaurant locater, map, etc. It is present during all stages of the purchase process. In fact, according to TripAdvisor, 45% of users use their Smartphone for everything related to their vacations

That is why the need arises to adapt hotel communication and services to these devices. Since, by having flight and hotel reservations, preferences, plans, among other things synchronized all on the same device, the experience becomes that much more enjoyable.

Laserway Solution: green and future proof.

So, understanding this new wave of guest needs, Furukawa offers the hotel sector a solution capable of integrating the various services within a unified communication system, optimizing the management and physical installation spaces, as well as contributing to the care of the environment while providing great savings in installation costs.

The Laserway Solution is based on passive optical elements that can transfer data through light pulses over long distances, without the need for electricity (thus avoiding problems such as electromagnetic interference). In addition, it is ecological and efficient, since it allows optimizations of up to: 70% savings in cables; 35% savings in racks; 95% savings in ports; 70% savings in space; 80% savings in plastic and 70% savings in energy. In short, it can generate savings in CAPEX of up to 50% and 70% in OPEX.

Returning to what was presented at the beginning, the hotel industry must seek to increasingly satisfy the requirements of guests, with digital needs that demand cutting-edge solutions; And to achieve this, the necessary technology is already at your fingertips or, rather, just a click away.

Check out our cases of Success here.

Furukawa Electric Group

Japanese company with more than 120 subsidiaries and modern research laboratories all over the world, Furukawa Electric Group is prepared to generate new technologies and products with the highest quality in the market for a more connected world. Furukawa provides innovative infrastructure for communication networks. Furukawa Electric's solutions were designed to offer high reliability thus reducing operating costs and increasing profit margins. Furukawa Connectivity System presents complete solutions from the equipment room up to the work area, providing indoor and outdoor cables and accessories, including GPON equipment while the broadband solutions portfolio presents complete solutions from the central office up to the subscriber's home.

Magno Fugisawa
Market Manager
Furukawa Electric

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