Why Hotel Dining Is Ripe for Tech Transformation
F&B doesn't have to be a loss leader—here's how tech developed during the pandemic can make dining an explosive source of revenue.
Looking back on how the past year has affected hospitality tech, many industry leaders have come to one of two conclusions: either the pandemic completely changed the trajectory and future of hospitality tech or it simply sped up the innovation and adoption we were already expecting. Honestly, it's a bit of both. Some technologies—especially mobile tech like mobile check-in and mobile key—had already been developed but hadn't been widely embraced by hoteliers yet, making them perfect candidates for an explosive year in 2020. And throughout the course of the year, those of us building the tech have simply prioritized the updates we already had planned, removing friction and delivering convenient contactless experiences. After all, mobile was always going to become the standard—it just became the standard over the course of one year, not five. But in other areas, the trajectory of hospitality tech has shifted significantly, evolving slowly but steadily over the past year to create a second wave of pandemic innovation poised to transform hospitality. The place where that will have the most significant impact? Dining. Now, there's a whole new world of possibilities for hoteliers to take F&B from a loss leader to a reliable revenue stream. Here's how:Contactless Ordering & Deliveries
During the pandemic, use of delivery apps more than doubled in the United States. Consumers wholeheartedly adopted mobile ordering and contactless deliveries—and as they return to travel, they're expecting a similar experience from hotels as well. Regardless of their vaccination status or how they feel about safety, there's a new standard of convenience for ordering, and guests expect hoteliers to meet it. Hotel tech has evolved to offer a seamless mobile ordering process that mimics the ordering process of delivery apps, removing the need for any face-to-face interaction.
The most critical piece of mobile and contactless ordering is taking mobile payments. As of 2019, mobile payments had barely caught on in the U.S.—prompting think pieces that touted we'd likely not see a shift anytime soon, and that they may just not ever gain full acceptance. Oh, how things have changed. Last year, 92.3 million U.S. consumers used mobile payments, and experts predict that number will grow by at least another 10 million this year. Pre-pandemic, hotel tech offered a mobile ordering process, but no way for consumers to avoid a payment exchange. Now, hotel tech has finally evolved to deliver options for hoteliers to add charges to a guest's folio during the mobile ordering and will soon add fully mobile payments for the fully frictionless mobile experience guests crave.
The next stage in the evolution of hotel F&B is to offer more and more of the convenience of a normal restaurant. That includes adding options that go beyond your guests to capture consistent, repeat business from locals in your neighborhood. Pick-up and takeout options that allow anyone to place an order through your property's app can give you a whole new clientele to pick up extra revenue you'd never have access to otherwise.
F&B has long been in the periphery for hoteliers, but thanks to new tech, it's finding the spotlight and becoming a focal point—especially as travel returns in the wake of widespread vaccine availability in many countries. Maximize your property's revenue potential this summer by giving guests the dining experiences and mobile convenience they've come to expect during the pandemic.
Contact
Dan Lacey
Director of Marketing & Visual Design
Email: dan.lacey@intelity.com
Organization
INTELITY
https://intelity.com/
600 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 700
USA
- Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 1 310-596-8160
Email: info@intelity.com
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