Question

The Next Big Thing"

how the emerging technology you researched will impact lodging operations management. Provide specific examples to support your response.

Anticipate the next big thing in hotel technology, and explain how it will benefit both the hotel and the guest.

Answer 1

• Smartphone technology is becoming a big part of the hotel industry. Many hotels are beginning to implement self-check-in kiosk that allows the guest to check themselves in and you their cellphone as their room key. Development of apps from hotels is in the works in order to provide guest with a more personal experience. Allowing guest to give the hotel their personal preferences, change the channels on their in-room TV, order food from the hotel restaurant, request the assistance of housekeeping, and change the air condition settings is just the start of what is to come.

• I believe the next big step for hotel technology would be to implement touchscreen TVs into all guest rooms. I expect that you will be able to check everything on the TV including your checkout time, balance on the room, and video chats with the staff at the front desk. You will be able to receive a video wakeup call from the front desk and a control app that connects from your cellphone to the TV.