Digitalisation in our hostel concept: What to expect

In today’s fast-paced world, technology has become an integral part of the hospitality industry. The use of technology has revolutionized the way hotels operate, making it easier for both hoteliers and guests to carry out their activities. In light of this, it has become increasingly important for hotels to embrace technology to enhance their guest experience and optimize their operations.

One of the ways hotels are leveraging technology is through the use of mobile apps. An app can provide a more personalized experience for guests, allowing them to access information, services, and offers in real-time. It also offers hotels an opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with guests by providing customized offers and promoting loyalty programs.

In the mid-term, an app will be a crucial aspect of our operations. We will first start by enhancing our Property Management System (currently MEWS) to improve the guest experience with our app. However, the core system for our colleagues will always be the PMS. We will look at further developing the PMS if there are options to reduce development costs and use standardized elements.

The app will primarily be used for guest loyalty and marketing purposes, as well as booking future stays. The integration of third-party services such as TrustYou Live Messaging will enable guests to communicate with us easily through WhatsApp Business Messages. However, we will take it one step at a time by first working together with the POS systems of either MEWS or APALEO. Later on, we can further enhance this by developing an app that caters exactly to the needs of our concept.

The benefits of an app in the hospitality industry cannot be overstated. It will not only make the guest journey easier, but it will also make our lives easier and each project more efficient. By leveraging technology, we can streamline our operations, reduce costs, and improve the guest experience.

One of the primary benefits of an app is that it enables hotels to offer a more personalized experience to their guests. With an app, guests can easily access information about the hotel’s amenities, services, and local attractions. They can also book their stay, order room service, or make restaurant reservations from their mobile device. This saves time and provides convenience, making the guest experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Moreover, an app can provide hotels with valuable data about their guests’ preferences and behaviors. This data can be used to tailor personalized offers and promotions, increasing guest loyalty and revenue. The app can also be used to send push notifications to guests, notifying them of special offers or events happening during their stay.

Another benefit of an app is that it can streamline hotel operations, making them more efficient. For instance, an app can be integrated with the PMS to automate check-in and check-out processes, reducing the workload for hotel staff. This can also help to reduce costs, as fewer staff are required to handle the workload. The app can also be used to manage room inventory, monitor housekeeping, and track guest preferences.

In conclusion, the use of an app in the hospitality industry has become essential to provide guests with a personalized experience and streamline operations. As we work towards enhancing our PMS and developing an app, we must keep in mind that the guest experience is paramount. We should focus on developing an app that caters to their needs and preferences, while also optimizing our operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs. By leveraging technology, we can build stronger relationships with our guests, promote loyalty, and increase revenue.