How technology is changing the travel and tourism industry according to Les Clefs d’Or

Today, no matter what you’re doing, it’s unlikely you’re doing it without some form of technology. Whether you’re paying for your car insurance or purchasing your groceries for the week, there are multiple digital touchpoints that facilitate the interactions you have with a brand.

As our reliance on technology grows, consumers expect the same seamless connectivity from every single brand — whether or not they are fundamentally a technology company.

Our standards for omnichannel experiences are higher than ever — and the travel and hospitality sector isn’t exempt.

How technology is changing the travel industry?

So, how has technology changed the travel and tourism industry? We interviewed members of the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or organization, a collective of hotel concierges from around the world that are dedicated to delivering exceptional guest services, to find out.

Their role gives them direct insight into how technology is changing the way people travel and how they expect to engage with hospitality providers. 

See also:

• How a smart hotel room can elevate the guest experience

• Why adopting new technology is a key to remaining competitive in the hotel industry

• Is artificial intelligence the future of the hospitality industry? 

A growing role for travel tech solutions

In the last year we’ve seen rapid growth in technology adoption as travel and tourism companies have reopened and come up with new and imaginative ways to interact with their guests. Some areas of note include:

• Personalization: hotels are offering more personalized experiences, giving guests control over their thermostat and in-suite apps through the connectivity of the Internet of Things.  
• Mobile applications: airlines and hotel groups are investing in mobile applications that allow travelers to do everything from making a booking and checking in to talking with a customer service representative or integrated chatbot.  
• Marketing: travel brands have access to so much customer data. Brands that use this data effectively — in a way that’s compliant with regulations — can do more to create targeted messaging, loyalty options, ads and promotional packages.  
• Payment: with the onset of contactless everything, a big trend in online travel tech has been the adoption of remote payment solutions so travelers can pay on their own device, without having to talk to anyone in the process. 

In addition, we’re also seeing significant investments in digital partners like PressReader, cybersecurity solutions and digital offerings like in-flight WiFi. This renewed focus on technology is reshaping the travel and tourism industry — and the expectations of its travelers. Let’s take a closer look at how. 

3 ways technology is changing the travel and tourism industry  

Guests expect convenience at all times 

Convenience has always been an important driver for positive guest experiences in the travel and tourism industry, and COVID-19 pushed hotel operators to make a more concerted effort to ensure guests can access everything they need from the comfort of their own hotel rooms. 

The pandemic is less of a driving force in 2023, but consumers have come to expect the convenience that technological advances have brought to the guest experience.

A comprehensive, branded app that connects guests to all the amenities offered at a hotel — so that they can set up a spa appointment, order food or access digital newspapers and magazines on their own mobile devices — can facilitate this convenience.

This is an approach that many big hotel chains have already taken, and it’s a trend that’s making its way throughout the industry.

“At NH we introduced the Stay app. Guests can start using the app as soon as they check in, and can access all menus, amenities and services. It is widely embraced by our guests. By using the app, guests can stay safe in their bubble without going to various outlets and asking in the hotel.”

Brian Mackenzie, 3rd Vice President of Les Clefs d'Or International and Chef Concierge at NH Collection Barbizon Palace, Amsterdam  

The hospitality industry must facilitate WFA (work from anywhere) 

One of the biggest changes that emerged from the pandemic is in the way corporate employees work. With the onset of remote work — a shift that shows no signs of reversing in 2023 — people are no longer tied to specific places while they’re working.

Instead, they can choose to work from a hotel by the beach or up a snowy mountain — and these so-called "digital nomads" expect stable internet connectivity throughout the hotel.

Not only that, they also expect to have amenities like camera-enabled conference rooms and virtual assistants that can enable them to stay connected to work remotely.

“Most hotels utilized the downtime during the peak of the pandemic to upgrade their technology infrastructure to be able to facilitate hybrid meetings, remote workers and travelers.”

Burak Ipekci, General Secretary of Les Clefs d'Or International and Head Concierge at Hilton London Metropole 

Guests welcome digital offerings paired with a personal touch 

Being flexible is an important way that travel companies can deliver on guest expectations. For example, where young professionals might be eager to digest their daily news on mobile devices before they go about their day, older guests might have a long-standing preference for the newspaper they read with their morning coffee — and they can now access it on an iPad.

Hotels that are doing this right are partnering with digital platforms that allow for that level of flexibility and customization.

According to Peter Buday, the Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, his hotel’s partnership with PressReader allows him to meet a variety of guest needs with one subscription.

“Hotels have to start thinking about how technology can help their employees elevate the guest experience, while still keeping the human touch. The luxury segment will always be about that extra little something special that only humans can provide.” 

Peter Buday, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest  

There’s always more we can do  

In our conversations with the Les Clefs d’Or representatives, we asked them what advice they had for hotels that want to stay on top of consumer and travel trends, and surpass guest expectations. Here are some of the things they had to say.

• Take the risk of over-communicating. Your customers should never be caught by surprise by any rules and regulations — a visa requirement, for example — when they show up in your lobby. 

• Listen to your guests and make sure that you have multiple channels for them to provide feedback or make requests. 

• Use that feedback to create a roadmap for any future changes and technology investments that could further improve the customer experience. 

• Remember that the human experience is still valid and technology will never fully replace the knowledge your employees have and the relationships they can build with your customers. 

• Keep your employees in mind as you choose your technology. If your new solutions aren’t easy for your employees to use and adopt — and you don’t spend the time to train them — then they might become more of a hindrance than a help.

“I think it is important to always keep your eyes open for new trends and ideas and not be afraid to roll out the idea.”

Anders Olsted Jensen, President at Les Clefs d’Or International  

Ultimately, it all comes down to keeping your customers firmly at the center of your decision making. Whether you’re evaluating a new travel technology or rolling out a new program, these choices should reflect the expectations travelers have for your brand.