InterContinental Hotels Group is trialing and selectively rolling out several digitally-driven innovations to provide what it says is a ?more personalised and interactive experience for guests?. The announcement follows?IHG?s signing in April of an agreement with technology-solutions company Amadeus to develop a cloud-based Guest Reservation System.
Michael Menis, IHG?s senior vice president, digital and voice channels said:??We continuously gather insights from consumers, which enables us to research, develop, pilot and launch new ways of engaging with guests across their Guest Journey.
?The initiatives we are showcasing today are really exciting because they reinforce how our digital capabilities add value beyond the booking opportunity. They are an illustration of how we evolve our content strategy to stay connected with guests and develop more meaningful relationships with them.?
The group is collaborating with digital travel service,?Stay.com.?Guests booking with IHG in one of more than 50 key destinations across the globe will be able to use?Stay.com to research and plan their travel and create personalised travel guides to share with friends. The guides can be downloaded to?Stay.com?s mobile App, for use both on and offline. They include access to tips, insights and recommendations from hundreds of local influencers around the world.
IHG will begin directing guests to?Stay.com?from June 25.
Other innovations include:
Mobile Check In and Check Out;
Mobile Folio, which allows guests to view their hotel bills in real time on their mobile devices before receiving their final bill during Mobile Check Out, via the IHG?App;
Mobile Room Key Technology, allowing guests the opportunity to bypass the front desk when checking into their room;
IHG Guest Request, which allows guests to make a request instantly through the IHG?App, which then uses a platform which logs, assigns and tracks requests, making it clear to hotel staff what the current status is and who is responding.
iBeacon technology, with beacons placed in lobbies and restaurants that recognise?IHG?Rewards Club?members using the?IHG?App?in close proximity. They then send information to the guest?s smartphone, including personalised notifications and offers relevant to their stay. The pilot is being implemented in a selection of hotels in China;
IHG?Translator App for Apple Watch