Why Asia leads the race in smart hotel technology | Smart hotel technology
ButhotelsinAsiahavebeenuppingtheante,withayoungerhospitalityindustry–andmanyguestsintheir20sand30s–quicklytakingtonewinnovations.InJapan,forinstance, self-parkingslippersandfurniture[1] areabletoreturntotheirdesignatedspotsafteruse.AblockchainrewardsystemintroducedbyMalaysianhospitalityfirmHattenGroupallows memberstocollecttokens[2] inexchangeforhotelpackagesandstays.Meanwhile, AndazSingapore[3] and HotelNewOtaniinTokyo[4]haveintroducedchatbotsforguestsasahandywayofprovidingrecommendationsan...
But hotels in Asia have been upping the ante, with a younger hospitality industry – and many guests in their 20s and 30s – quickly taking to new innovations.
In Japan, for instance, self-parking slippers and furniture[1] are able to return to their designated spots after use. A blockchain reward system introduced by Malaysian hospitality firm Hatten Group allows members to collect tokens[2] in exchange for hotel packages and stays. Meanwhile, Andaz Singapore[3] and Hotel New Otani in Tokyo[4]have introduced chatbots for guests as a handy way of providing recommendations and answer any queries.
“In some respects, it is easier to trial and grow these concepts within Asia as new-build hotels can incorporate these products and concepts into the design at a very early stage,” says Andrew Langston, Executive Vice President, JLL Hotels and Hospitality Asia Pacific. “Moreover, Millennials grew up with technology and they’re very comfortable with adoptin...