IN-ROOM TECHNOLOGY

Technology in accommodation establishments

Guest sensors

Types of technology:• Entertainment• Information• Safety / security• Comfort• Work• Environmental responsibility

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Activity

• What technology will a business tourist need in a hotel room, motivate your choices.

• What technology will a leisure tourist need in a hotel room, motivate your choices

What would they like? • Leisure guests expect to be entertained

and

• Business guests expect to be able to conduct business.

Technology for entertainment :

• A good-quality television

• DSTV is standard in South Africa

• A good stereo system to play their own CDs.

• MP3 docking station for the ipod.

• A minibar

Wii, Guitar Hero, and other video games

Technology for Information:

Interactive TV Channel

Wireless Digital Assistant

Technology for Working:• Internet access

• A phone with more than one line

• Good lighting, access to a printer and a fax, and plenty of

space.

High-Speed Internet Access – what is it and do guests want it?

• Business guests will need to get onto the Internet while they’re at your hotel. Most of them need that access to check their e-mails.

What about accessing the Internet through the TV - leisure

guest?• Leisure guests probably just need to access Web-based e-mail

such as Gmail or Hotmail, or find out simple information on local attractions or restaurants, the latest weather forecasts, specific news, transport timetables etc.

• This sort of information is very general and just needs a quick check so, as most leisure guests either won’t be carrying laptops or won’t be bothered to go through the hassle of plugging in and dialling up, access through the TV is the best option for them.

Technology for Security and Comfort:

Cell-phone-operated door locks and retinal scans

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification

• Doors you can open with your cell phone -RFID door locks

• You can also skip check-in this way (they SMS you your room number, and you just walk in like you live there.

Technology for Comfort:

Guests also want comfort, so good lighting, constant comfortable temperature and soundproofing may be more important than many other requirements.

Different types of minibars • The standard fridge

• More expensive minibars

• The compromise is a door switch that will tell you if the minibar has been opened.

Rotating rooms