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Hospitality Trends: Beacon Technology and Augmented Reality

While augmented reality is “pull” technology, where users request the experience, beacons take the opposite approach, pushing messages and information based on the location of the guest. Beacons are devices placed in strategic locations, such as a column or hallway, that send area-based information to a device. With beacons, hotels can send marketing messages and information the guest may want, such as information about tee-time availability if they’re walking toward the golf club, or drink specials if they’re returning to the hotel from a day of sightseeing.

Beacons can be applied in many settings, and are prevalent in retail. Hospitality Net reported that Marriott utilizes beacons in 14 locations to send food and spa discounts to guests near these amenities, and guests staying at Starwood Hotels enjoy more efficient check-in and housekeeping services thanks to this technology, which is installed at 30 of their locations. According to Hospitality Technology, guests at The James Hotels can take a personalized tour of the art collection customized to their location through beacons.

When implementing beacons, hotels should consider what questions guests typically ask at specific locations and brainstorm the most effective and interesting way to proactively provide this information.

See the full story here: https://insights.samsung.com/2016/03/18/hospitality-trends-beacon-technology-and-augmented-reality/