HN World panel LIVE Webinar | Hotel Tech Evolution
Hotel Technology During Crises, Does it innovate?Last year techtalk.travel released an infographic that highlighted the last 100 years of hotel technology in our series "The History of Hotel & Travel Technology". https://www.techtalk.travel/post/history-hotel-travel-technology-infographicIn many cases, we've seen hotel distribution and technology change during or after a global crisis. But is this a trend that will continue? And what could be the innovation from these crises?Up until the early 2000s, managing the guest experience was still a very human to human experience, yet today the experience happens primarily through technology. Human interactions still hold value, but with the incredible growth of the internet, smartphones and an always-on lifestyle, people are no longer willing to wait very long for their desired outcome.Hotels have so many touch points where customers interact with the property and staff, and this is what has set a hotel experience apart from a retail experience, hoteliers recognise this. They excel at delivering guest service. Yet more so than ever in today's climate, we need technology to facilitate many expectations that guests are not only used to but also expect. Today's hotel guests expect a quality experience from before, during and after their stay.We all agree that people will want to travel again as soon as possible for holidays and business trips. Until travel resembles anything to pre-covid times we have a chance for innovation.Looking beyond the obvious needs to support health concerns, 'contactless technology', how should we prioritize the data and innovate from what is available - what innovation will/should come from the current crisis?

Nick Price
Prior to starting NetSys, Nick worked as CIO for global luxury hotel brand Mandarin Oriental over twelve years, where he was fortunate enough to participate in a significant global expansion of the company from its base in Hong Kong. In addition to his CIO role at citizenM, Nick holds strategic IT and advisory board positions at several hotel and hospitality technology companies.
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Martin Soler
Martin Soler is a former Hotel General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer of multiple hotel technology companies. Currently, he is a Partner in Soler & Associates a marketing consulting firm for hotel technology companies and groups.
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Kevin King
Mr. Kevin King serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Shiji Group. Prior to joining Shiji, Mr. King worked with a leading Hospitality technology solution provider for over 17 years in various operational and business management roles, including the business and technical development of global payment solutions.
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