Opinion: How Artificial Intelligence will change the hospitality industry

Artificial Intelligence in hospitality industry
715 369 Daniel Fountain
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Michael Toedt, Managing Partner and CEO at TS&C GmbH talks about a fascinating and at the same time scary topic entering our working world: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many industries are already looking for ways to apply AI. So far, not much activity can be seen in the hospitality industry…

More Individuality through Big Data
Artificial Intelligence is a key element of Big Data – also called the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The rational behind is simple and complex at the same time: to find out as much as possible about a customer by using comprehensive data management to then use the insights in order to meet the customer’s individual needs. Big Bata stands for individuality. The essential resource is data – huge amounts of data. The maxim is the more data, the better.

Machine Learning is an aspect of Artificial Intelligence, which generates valuable information from more or less useless data. Systems like the Profile Engine by dailypoint™ help to draw conclusions from each booking, each click and each movement. This helps hoteliers to create a constantly growing and learning centralized guest profile.

Central Data Management is the Key
The prerequisite for Machine Learning is a centralized system, where all relevant data streams are linked and the data is stored. Many hotels still use isolated solutions without sufficient linkage, which prevents valuable use of the available data. The constantly growing flood of data can only be leveraged when using a CDM (Central Data Management), which is the consequent evolution of a modern CRM.

Machine Learning helps to create a comprehensive guest profile, which can be used to create a unique customer journey and guest experience. Modern consumers expect tailor-made solutions at all touch points – from the first contact to the proposal, during the actual stay and in CRM. To live ones individuality and to make personalized experiences is the new luxury. This is also valid for hotel stays. The better you know your customer, the better you can adapt your offering and personalize the guest experience.

Mass Commodity Products are passé
Such a comprehensive knowledge base can only be created with the support of Machine Learning. The goal is to create unique experiences for all your customers and not just a few! This will give you a clear competitive advantage and will show in positive economic results. Also mass commodity hotel products are passé. It makes no longer sense to gain information about the guest by observation and manual processing of the gained information. Questionnaires or observations are outdated; new approaches using the new technology can bring much more information. Hoteliers will know more about their guests than ever before, more than most people can imagine today. The information just needs to be used in a creative and targeted manner.

The intelligent hotel
Intelligent hotels, where all data streams are linked, are the future. In an intelligent hotel all systems are interlinked, similar to an organism where everything is connected and supplied through veins and arteries. The Internet of Things (IoT) will help to further develop the personalized guest experience. The connection of room control, motion sensors, the integrated TV and voice control systems, such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana are developments which will also impact the hospitality industry.

We are facing quite some changes and it’s wise to face them, as this is only the beginning of a huge change process.

Daniel Fountain / 11.05.2017

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

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Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
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