Free WiFi in Hotels; Amenity or Standard Feature?
In 2014, 64% of hotels offered free WiFi to guests. Two years later, that percentage is much higher as, rather than a touted amenity, free WiFi has become a standard feature throughout the hospitality industry. Business travelers consider free WiFi an important feature as more than 90% of those traveling for business expect this service, and many would not return to a hotel that did not provide a fee-free service. Vacationers are not far behind as they also value free WiFi and ease of connectivity.
Hoteliers have seen several streams of revenue disappear with the rise of technology. The old standard encompassed room charges that included fees for telephone usage, video/movie rentals, and fees …show more content…
When offering free WiFi services is an expectation that, if left unsatisfied, can damage your occupancy rates, customer satisfaction, and inhibit loyalty it is time to consider the ways in which you can benefit from this service.
Hoteliers across the globe are working to define the means by which the industry can satisfy customer needs while utilizing technology to its best and highest use for the industry. While some may see the free WiFi era as stagnant, the opposite is true. The industry as a whole is constantly working to maximize the benefits of these services as referenced in the upcoming schedule for the International Hotel Technology Forum.
The International Hotel Technology Forum is scheduled to take place April 5-7, 2017. Hoteliers will address the ways in which marketing, sales, and technology can be integrated to positively impact customer satisfaction, hotel performance, and increased revenues and growth. Core challenges scheduled to be addressed in the sessions include:
• Meeting the Wifi Challenge – High-speed, Reliable and Low Cost
• Identifying the Next Disruptive Technologies – Bridging the Divide Between Technology and …show more content…
Click-through pages can showcase amenities and events to better meet the needs of the clientele. Requests can be made online, by phone, text, or in person; leaving the choice to the guest in order to maintain the exact level of service each prefers.
Room service: In-room dining services can benefit in many ways from WiFi access and online ordering. Currently, as menu items change, or the physical menus left in the room are damaged, the menus must be replaced. Online options (which could also be accessed through the television in the room for those without a device) would make having to replace or change menus a thing of the past. Online service could also now, for the first time, be able to include daily specials and discount offers.
Food service would become more efficient through direct ordering without having to answer a telephone, and customer satisfaction would
In 2014, 64% of hotels offered free WiFi to guests. Two years later, that percentage is much higher as, rather than a touted amenity, free WiFi has become a standard feature throughout the hospitality industry. Business travelers consider free WiFi an important feature as more than 90% of those traveling for business expect this service, and many would not return to a hotel that did not provide a fee-free service. Vacationers are not far behind as they also value free WiFi and ease of connectivity.
Hoteliers have seen several streams of revenue disappear with the rise of technology. The old standard encompassed room charges that included fees for telephone usage, video/movie rentals, and fees …show more content…
When offering free WiFi services is an expectation that, if left unsatisfied, can damage your occupancy rates, customer satisfaction, and inhibit loyalty it is time to consider the ways in which you can benefit from this service.
Hoteliers across the globe are working to define the means by which the industry can satisfy customer needs while utilizing technology to its best and highest use for the industry. While some may see the free WiFi era as stagnant, the opposite is true. The industry as a whole is constantly working to maximize the benefits of these services as referenced in the upcoming schedule for the International Hotel Technology Forum.
The International Hotel Technology Forum is scheduled to take place April 5-7, 2017. Hoteliers will address the ways in which marketing, sales, and technology can be integrated to positively impact customer satisfaction, hotel performance, and increased revenues and growth. Core challenges scheduled to be addressed in the sessions include:
• Meeting the Wifi Challenge – High-speed, Reliable and Low Cost
• Identifying the Next Disruptive Technologies – Bridging the Divide Between Technology and …show more content…
Click-through pages can showcase amenities and events to better meet the needs of the clientele. Requests can be made online, by phone, text, or in person; leaving the choice to the guest in order to maintain the exact level of service each prefers.
Room service: In-room dining services can benefit in many ways from WiFi access and online ordering. Currently, as menu items change, or the physical menus left in the room are damaged, the menus must be replaced. Online options (which could also be accessed through the television in the room for those without a device) would make having to replace or change menus a thing of the past. Online service could also now, for the first time, be able to include daily specials and discount offers.
Food service would become more efficient through direct ordering without having to answer a telephone, and customer satisfaction would