In June, a significant number of hotels wondered whether they should open or not, in an attempt to at least partially recover losses during the crucial summer months. As known, most hotels bravely decided to reopen, with different results. For example, the VisitRimini survey which, by consulting the hoteliers of the famous Italian seaside resort, found that the 2020 season was characterized by a level of occupancy equal to or even higher than that of 2019 in 64% of cases, making the headlines.
Elsewhere, however, the season was decidedly lean, as Federalberghi Rome points out: the real relaunch of the hotel sector in the Italian capital is expected for 2021. One thing, however, is certain for all hotels, both in Italy and abroad: it is necessary to optimize and standardize the hospitality and management methods introduced to face the Corona virus pandemic.
Hotel countermeasures for recovery
A wide variety of protocols were adopted by hotels to reopen after the most dramatic phase of the Covid-19 emergency. The starting points, however, are common. In fact, there is talk of measures relating to the check-in phase as well as to the check-out phase, as well as buffets, room services and so on. In all cases, precautions are taken to protect the staff and guests, as well as regular and rigorous sanitation of all spaces. The masks and sanitizing gels represent the very first and indispensable measures introduced by the hotels starting from June: investigating the various hotels you will discover other innovations, such as sanitizing carpets at the entrances, social distancing signs for guests, buffets replaced by meals served in the room and so on. It is not surprising that, in recent months, many hotels have started an important process of digitization, rethinking the hospitality methods in order to make customers’ stay safer. Virtual front desks, chatbots, apps: not only is it possible to make hotels safe, but these digital tools also improve the guest experience. From this point of view, therefore, digitization in response to the health emergency can prove to be a valuable opportunity for relaunching the hotel sector.
Hotel digitalization for safe and enjoyable vacations
Digital tools can do so much for hotels during this relaunch period. For example, think of the apps that allow guests to check-in independently and via the web in order to limit gatherings and improve the customer journey, but also to contactless payments through a smartphone for fast and absolutely safe check-outs or digital infopoints. All very useful tools designed specifically to optimize hotel resources and to fully digitize the user experience.
The result is a revolution in the way of being and managing guests in a highly innovative, but also absolutely safe mode; once again, technology can meet the challenges imposed by the Corona virus by guaranteeing business continuity.