HOTELMARKETING.COM

How will NFC impact the hospitality industry?

January 23, 2012 | Hotel Marketing

No longer will you find yourself having to run down to the lobby for a lost or malfunctioning room key. No longer will it be necessary to wait in the long lines at check-in and in some cases, checkout. Simply close your eyes and envision a world where your mobile device can literally open doors for you during a hotel stay.

Imagination is soon becoming a reality, for it is only a matter of time before NFC enters the corridors at establishments and bridges the gap between the physical and digital world at hotels worldwide.

Let’s face it, your mobile phone is generally attached to you at the hip at all times, your keys not so much. From the airport to rental car to the hotel, NFC technology will add ease and convenience into your travel regimen. Whether it be in relation to e-travel documents, accessing a rental car, locating lost baggage, or simply entering a hotel, near field communications entails a secure exchange of data between a traveler’s mobile phone and a reader similar to those offered by Identive.

Most notably, hospitality chains will begin utilizing NFC-enabled mobile devices that embolden their hotel guests to make mobile bookings, check-in, check-out, access their rooms, enjoy amenities, and take part in loyalty programs using a mere smartphone (you can forget your rewards card and number.) By replacing the traditional magnetic stripe key card system, the hotel door locks of tomorrow will enable guests to simply tap their contactless card or smartphone in order to acquire access into their room. For those using their NFC-enabled smartphones, guests will have the ability to check-in remotely and receive an encrypted room key via text message; subsequently, guests can forgo those daunting lobby lines and head right up to their rooms. In the future of hospitality and travel, a smartphone will be the only thing required. Guests will still go about booking their travel and accommodations in typical fashion; however, prior to arrival those staying will receive a welcome message and reminder to check-in via their mobile device. On the day of their stay, their “hotel room key” is sent to their mobile device, thus enabling them to bypass the lobby and access their room.

Get the full story at Identive

Visit our sponsors: