Recent Trends & Development about Operating Rooms Division

[Source: http://www3.hilton.com/en/about/new-hotels/index.html]

1. Intelligent Technology

In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of hotels, advanced technologies are frequently used in the hotel operations nowadays. For example, automating the check-in and check-out processes with mobiles enables staff to focus on creating satisfactory service encounters. On the other hand, more advanced in-room technologies provide guests a better service experience. For instance, guest sensors detect movements so that when guests enter or leave the room, the lights can be switched on and off accordingly, while RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) door lock allows guests to gain access to their hotel room with their own mobile phones. These intelligent technologies bring convenience to both guests and the hotel operations.

[Source: https://www.rentokil.com/blog/how-technology-is-changing-the-hotel-industry]

2. Green Policy

Nowadays, it becomes increasingly common for hotels to adopt green policies as one of their tactics to attract guests. Starting with the daily operations, for example, using low energy light bulbs in the public areas as well as back office, and use electric mail where possible to reduce the paper usage. To guests, hotels will usually list out the environmentally-friendly policy in the rooms to reduce the total energy usage, such as turning off lights and television when leaving the room, limiting the use of air-conditioning or heating and the towel and linen policy, etc.

[Source: http://www.draycotthotel.com/green-policy/]

3. Social Media

Owing to the popularity of social media, hotels are actively using this channel to promote their brand, hence generating revenue and bookings. Some of the hotels focus on posting photos and videos, while some of them tweet via Tweeter whenever possible. On one occasion, Marriott Hotels launched a hashtag campaign widely on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The #TravelBrilliantly campaign encouraged people to give their ideas towards the improvement of travel experience. Users can vote for the ideas they like and Marriott then implemented the highly-voted suggestions. The campaign has successfully and effectively promoted the brand of Marriott Hotels.

[Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/553098397959959993/]

4. Mobile booking

Every major hotel company has their own mobile sites and applications, which allow people to explore available hotels, make books and reservations, and monitor their membership accounts. Nowadays, the portion of hotel bookings generated from these applications is growing exponentially.

[Source: https://ftnnews.com/technology/28641-mobile-travel-bookings-shifting-from-desktop-to-mobile.html]

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Learning Reflection

I realized that most of the latest trends in the hotel industry are related to technology, showing that technology has become an important element in retaining hotel guests and shaping guest experience. For example, intelligent technology and mobile booking allow guests to make reservations just using any smart device, making the booking process much easier than before. All in all, technology advances show people a more efficient and convenient way to do things, which is particularly crucial in the hotel industry.

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Reference

[1] How technology is changing the hotel industry and the impact on guest experience. deBugged. 22 Mar 2017. Retrieved from https://www.rentokil.com/blog/how-technology-is-changing-the-hotel-industry/#.Web0-ROCxok

[2] Green Policy, Draycott Hotel. 2017. Retrieved from

http://www.draycotthotel.com/green-policy/

[3] Social Media Marketing: 3 great examples of hotels that are getting it right. SiteMinder. 21 Apr 2017. Retrieved from https://www.siteminder.com/r/marketing/hotel-social-media/social-media-marketing-3-great-examples-hotels-getting-right/

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