Summary
For a long time, televisions were seen as a special amenity, and just to have one in a hotel room would be quite exciting. Today the rate of television change has increased dramatically because once a new model comes out hotels jump to buy the newest version. Some hotel chain CEOs have said that guests view the model of the television as an indicator of how nice the hotel room is. High Definition (HD) TVs have dropped in price to under one thousand dollars, but many hotels are hesitant to make the move. HD televisions come in two different styles: liquid crystal (LCD) and plasma display. They both offer similar results a clear picture with bright colors but LCD is the more proven and less expensive version. High definition televisions also have great resolution and when buying a new tv you must be aware of the resolution number as well as the style of television. The maximum resolution is 1080p/i, but this is only beneficial with televisions under 35 inches. Operators can save a few dollars by purchasing a 720p/i system. The government has even stepped in with the upgrade to high definition televisions. They have made a ruling that you must change the tvs by Februrary 2009 or you will lose your television signal.
Reflection
The article was interesting because it was trying to help hotel owners know what their options are for high definition television, and it showed that in a very black and white way (no pun intended). They showed all the qualifications and what would be more beneficial in a number of categories including content, resolution, and the way the HD televisions are made. As for the comment made about guests judging the room based on the television, I know for myself that that is false. I'm sure many others are more judgmental than I am. However, I come from a home that owns a flat screen TV and I know that when going to a hotel I don't expect it to have the same. I suppose for some people who consider a hotel room as an extension of their own house or room that perhaps they hold these judgments. I wasn't aware of the ruling of the government that will force hotels to switch their televisions. I'm not really sure why this decision was made considering so many more important things should be discussed. This article opened my eyes to how the television market tries to trick you into buying a more expensive model that you might not need.
Koroneos, George (2008, 3, 10). High Definition Demystified. Hospitality Technology, Retrieved March 27, 2008, from http://www.htmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=3E19674330734FF1BBDA3D67B50C82F1&tier=4&id=500AC3A9453A4E9583FE0DFF46F64D3B
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Hi-Touch Vs. Touch Screen
Summary
In this article, "Hi-Touch vs. Touch Screen" they resume the debate of whether technology will or can replace a human connection in hotel lobbies. They discuss kiosks mainly which make a speedier check-in process for the guest but also does not make for a personal experience. Many esteemed individuals in the hospitality industry are interviewed about and considerations one must think of when thinking of using kiosks in their hotel. Many say that placement of the kiosk is important as well as whether the staff supports it and can help the guest with any technical issues that may arise when using the kiosk. How the technology is introduced also plays a large factor in how front desk agents accept the change. Jim Bina, IT director of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, says "A kiosk in my environment will reduce staff, and just give a guest options." This can be a threat for employees and most professionals agree that you must maintain a welcoming front desk in addition to a kiosk to accommodate all guests. The location of the hotel and the clientèle also become an issue when choosing whether you should have a quick check-in kiosk. Sometimes this idea is perfect for business travelers who are on-the-go but not necessarily for those elderly leisure travelers who are technologically impaired. Hyatt Hotels has created a new quick check-in option that is available through blackberries and online, so when they arrive at the hotel they just have to swipe a credit card at the kiosk and their room keys are dispensed.
Reflection
I thought this article was very interesting in many different ways. Whenever I have been presented this dilemma between hi-touch and touch screen it has been broken down in a very black and white way. Professors say, most people like kiosks as an option except elderly people who tend to be against change especially technological change. This article, I felt showed kiosks in a different way. They discussed its affect on the employees, the guests, and the many issues that have its affect on its acceptance. I agree that kiosks should be presented to the employees as an alternative for guests who are hurried rather than a replacement for their jobs. Its process and inner workings should also be discussed with the employees so if any problems should arise they are well-versed in solving it. I agree with the article that for some people kiosks are a great addition to their stay while some would rather have a personal connection with someone. I had never heard one of the advantages of kiosks to be security in the sense of privacy with the room number and the less handling of credit cards. I hadn't looked at the issue in that light and now see another possible reason for the increase of kiosks.
Carlin, Mary (2/19/2008). Hi touch vs. touch screen. Hospitality Technology, Retrieved 3/9/08, from http://www.htmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=3E19674330734FF1BBDA3D67B50C82F1&tier=4&id=1F14B173AACB4D08A3834FA59A12B66D
In this article, "Hi-Touch vs. Touch Screen" they resume the debate of whether technology will or can replace a human connection in hotel lobbies. They discuss kiosks mainly which make a speedier check-in process for the guest but also does not make for a personal experience. Many esteemed individuals in the hospitality industry are interviewed about and considerations one must think of when thinking of using kiosks in their hotel. Many say that placement of the kiosk is important as well as whether the staff supports it and can help the guest with any technical issues that may arise when using the kiosk. How the technology is introduced also plays a large factor in how front desk agents accept the change. Jim Bina, IT director of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, says "A kiosk in my environment will reduce staff, and just give a guest options." This can be a threat for employees and most professionals agree that you must maintain a welcoming front desk in addition to a kiosk to accommodate all guests. The location of the hotel and the clientèle also become an issue when choosing whether you should have a quick check-in kiosk. Sometimes this idea is perfect for business travelers who are on-the-go but not necessarily for those elderly leisure travelers who are technologically impaired. Hyatt Hotels has created a new quick check-in option that is available through blackberries and online, so when they arrive at the hotel they just have to swipe a credit card at the kiosk and their room keys are dispensed.
Reflection
I thought this article was very interesting in many different ways. Whenever I have been presented this dilemma between hi-touch and touch screen it has been broken down in a very black and white way. Professors say, most people like kiosks as an option except elderly people who tend to be against change especially technological change. This article, I felt showed kiosks in a different way. They discussed its affect on the employees, the guests, and the many issues that have its affect on its acceptance. I agree that kiosks should be presented to the employees as an alternative for guests who are hurried rather than a replacement for their jobs. Its process and inner workings should also be discussed with the employees so if any problems should arise they are well-versed in solving it. I agree with the article that for some people kiosks are a great addition to their stay while some would rather have a personal connection with someone. I had never heard one of the advantages of kiosks to be security in the sense of privacy with the room number and the less handling of credit cards. I hadn't looked at the issue in that light and now see another possible reason for the increase of kiosks.
Carlin, Mary (2/19/2008). Hi touch vs. touch screen. Hospitality Technology, Retrieved 3/9/08, from http://www.htmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=3E19674330734FF1BBDA3D67B50C82F1&tier=4&id=1F14B173AACB4D08A3834FA59A12B66D
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Jumeirah hotels in Dubai
DUBAI: One of the World’s Most Exciting Countries for New Hotel Developments
In this article by Ted Horner and Floor Bleeker, they describe the increasing amount of tourism in the country of Dubai. Dubai is located in the Middle East and is "the commercial hub of the world’s top oil-exporting region" (Horner, Bleeker, 2007). However, Dubai's oil industry is only 3% of their gross domestic product. Tourism is the largest industry in Dubai and is continuing to grow. In the coming years Dubai will support over 60 luxury hotels , 4,000 residential villas not to mention waterhomes, shoreline apartments, water parks, restaurants, marinas, malls, and health spas that are being constructed in the next twelve years. The biggest hotel company that is making an impression on this region is Jumeirah, an international hospitality management company who specializes in luxury hotels. Their two most famous hotels in this region are Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. They use technology to satisfy the guest and make their experience as personal as possible. They have a philosophy called StayDifferent that incorporates two systems in the hotel. One is CRM and the other in-room technology. They created a central hub that incorporates information about the guest that comes from PMS systems, their rewards and recognition program, and restaurant reservations system. They want to create as personal an experience as possible and they use this information to determine your favorite type of pillow from their Burj Al Arab pillow menu. Their in-room technology is used in different ways in their different hotels because they want to create a different experience in each. In the Jumeirah Business Bay Hotel, they note your favorite channel on TV and that channel will always come up first when you turn the television on. Their in-room technology is user-friendly and eco-friendly by using motion detectors for lighting and MP3 plug ins to play the guest's music in any room including the bathroom.
I think that this article is fascinating both from a technology standpoint as well as the future of hotels. I have heard a lot about Dubai in passing and their creativity in both restaurant and hotel development. Jumeirah seems to have been a leader in CRM programs and taking these systems to the limit of what they are capable of. I think it is interesting that they have different uses of the in-room technology in their different hotels to create more personal experiences. They don't want guests to have the same experiences with the same "tricks" at all of their hotels. Jumeirah uses the same standards and principles as an umbrella for their personalized service. I think this makes the guests appreciate the individual hotels and how they cater to their target market. They have taken CRM systems to the next level as well. They interface all of their programs with the CRM system so they get as much information as possible about each guest. Even the restaurant systems bring in information including their food preferences. I would be very impressed by a hotel that knew preferences of mine without asking. I'm looking forward to seeing with this company comes up with in the future in the luxury hotels sector.
Horner, T, & Bleeker, F (2007). Dubai: One of the World's Most Exciting Countries for New Hotel Development. Hospitality Upgrade, Fall 2007, Retrieved March 1, 2008, from http://www.hospitalityupgrade.com/_files/File_Articles/HUFall07_DubaiExcitingNewHotelDevelopments_Horner.pdf.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
