Hotel tech events: revolutionary or redundant?
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Hotel tech events: revolutionary or redundant?
In this issue, we reflect on Shawn Kanungo’s wise words (a keynote speaker at HITEC) and what we learnt while in Toronto last week, plus we’re feeling generous, so take a seat, relax and read on.
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$5,000 worth of Aphy goodness
We were at HITEC Toronto last week. The bad news: we didn’t win an award. The good news: we’re giving away the prize ($5,000) we didn’t win as Aphy vouchers! That’s a huge saving on your automation software. Crazy? A little, but travel brings out the best in us. Just email simplify@aphy.com to enter – and do it now before we come to our senses.
Is hospitality a middle-lane hogger?
Is it us? Or does every time you attend a big hotel conference the industry is on the edge of a technological cliff? Hospitality seems permanently suspended between now and the next big thing… waiting for issues to arise instead of taking a preventive approach. But why?
First, big conferences like HITEC are built around the idea that industry leaders have room to grow and will keep doing so. However, the industry is fragmented and typical hotel technology is underwhelming. Hoteliers want alternative solutions – so there’s a constant demand for the next best thing instead of the next new thing.
The second reason is that a lot of industries operate in an ‘old boys’ club’ manner. Sadly, hotel tech is no different – it conforms to unspoken, established ways. We touched on this in a previous issue of The Perspective, highlighting how companies still uphold management styles from the Industrial Revolution – and which thought-leaders in hospitality are driving growth.
It was music to our ears to hear Shawn Kanungo, a globally recognised strategist echo our thoughts last week at HITEC. Kanungo is the author of The Bold Ones – a fitting title for his strong advocation in being individual. He believes disruption can come from within. At Aphy, we couldn’t agree more! The only way hotel teams can shine is when they have the time (and drive) to do so. They need space to flourish.
How do you achieve this space? It’s 50 ml of common sense (the right processes and operating models), 25 ml of design (employees having time to attend to guests). Shake them together and voilà – you’ve got the perfect cocktail of happy customers!
The sad truth is our industry loves to keep hoteliers unavailable (there’s only suboptimal tools on the market) and disempowered to evolve (SOPs and politics control the status quo). If hospitality continues to do this, together we’ll continue to be suspended, looking over the edge hoping the red tape holds strong against disaster.
There’s no denying the hotel industry is extremely resilient. COVID, AirBnB and the rise of OTAs with high acquisition costs are a few examples where the red tape kept us all from falling. The reason being real estate is a slow (hard to move) market and humans have an insatiable need to travel. But what if we could push the politics aside, elevating hospitality in a way everyone – hoteliers, hotel teams, booking agents, guests, etc – is happy?
We’ll leave that food for thought with you. Let us know what your thoughts are on the next big disruptor – whatever who or what it’ll be. And lastly, we wish you all a wonderful summer.
Events: where to catch us
Automation clinic: 21 July in Amsterdam
Automation clinic is back – and this month in a stylish location! Book your slot online or meet us at citizenM Amstel between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. See you there?
Automation clinic: 28 July in Paris
On the 28 July, Alex will host ‘Automation clinic’ in Paris at citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon hotel between 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. See you there?
Automation clinic: 12 & 26 July in Barcelona
On the 12 & 26 July, Pedro will host ‘Automation clinic’ in sunny Barcelona at the Seventy Barcelona from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. See you there?
Top picks of the month: Amsterdam
🥕 Foodies, listen up: Inside a greenhouse with nearly a century, you’ll find De Kas, with organic ingredients grown in their own location, they perfectly merge the fine-dining and farm-to-table concepts.
🍸 🎵 If good drinks, jazz and blues are your thing, Bourbon Street is the place you want to be. Local and international artists come to play at this music club every single week, you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
🎯 Some Aphy trivia, the team adopted darts as its official sport, and every time we meet in Amsterdam, we head down to Oche, for a few rounds (of food & drinks).
🗝️ Hotel concept: Hotel not hotel is more of an experience, rather than just a place to stay. Each room is unique, a work of art with its own personality and we think there’s something there for everyone.
Founded by hoteliers, for hoteliers
No one went to hotel school to sit in front of a screen for 10 hours a day. With Aphy, hotel teams don’t have to. Our tech takes the repetitive, labour-intensive tasks off your hands so your team focusses on what they do best – hospitality. This free newsletter is a celebration of our beloved industry and a way to kick-start conversations. Get involved! Share everything from emerging trends, local events or what automation you’re using. We’re all ears.