Hospitality embraces the digital consumer

With every new wave of technology releases, the bar of consumer expectations moves ever higher. Today's consumers are inundated with increasingly cutting edge gadgets and services at an ever-advancing rate.

But how do hospitality operators know which technology bandwagon on which to hitch a ride? Back a dud and that's a hefty investment wasted. In these continuing times of austerity and belt-tightening, that's simply not an option.

It's apparent that to embrace the digital age is essential for most operators, but there's clearly no "one size fits all" solution to joining the digital age.

As online booking becomes more popular than ever and with more customers in possession of smartphones, we look at the options available to operators to get their business literally in the hands of their audience in the form of mobile web solutions.

Because there really is an app for just about everything these days and they're not just aimed at potential customers, Caterer and Hotelkeeper has found 10 of the best online tools available to help hospitality businesses boost their bottom line or operate more efficiently.

We also look at what hoteliers need to consider when positioning their properties for the technophile guest. To kit out each bedroom with the latest iPad is a costly exercise in itself, but it's also essential to consider additional financial burdens such as the price of ensuring the in-house Wi-Fi infrastructure can cope with the demand.

Finally, it's not just the customers that are becoming more high-tech, the gadgets available for chefs has also come on in leaps and bounds.

But according to the professionals we spoke to, its worthwhile remembering that just because a utensil or piece of technology is old, it doesn't mean that it's obsolete.

By Janie Stamford

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