HOSPITALITY TIME AGAIN?

A tough time in this sector, is there anything installers can do to offer improved COVID protection, health check systems? What new tech or approaches are on offer now and in the future? Tim Matthews, Senior B2B Product Manager, Vestel, looks at how technology can help the hospitality sector get back on its feet.

Consumer safety concerns will remain frontof-mind during and post-pandemic, as the hospitality sector continues to encourage customers back to venues. During this period, it is up to suppliers and installers serving this industry to act as the necessary catalyst for hospitality businesses to adapt to an everchanging environment.

Venues may look to increase their use of ultra-high definition screens and LED video walls to remind customers of current COVID protection regulations, such as keeping socially distanced, wearing a face mask, and regularly sanitising hands as well as reminding customers to check in to venues if necessary or share their contact information. Storytelling and animation can be used to enhance customer engagement here, through immersive or virtual experiential techniques. Screens outside hospitality venues can help to display necessary information, such as for a queue, and draw in customers. The ability to display more information digitally can also help to reduce face to face contact with staff, helping to protect both staff and customers.

As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, hospitality venues are looking for cost-effective solutions to install in their venues to implement these changes. It is important for installers to take this into account when putting offerings together, and provide quality, versatile products and services to support the hospitality sector’s need for adaptability.

There could also be a temporary move away from interactive displays due to an increased awareness of hygiene around the pandemic. Across the industry, voice and gesturecontrolled displays provide an interactive alternative to touch, whilst keeping safety at the forefront. Such solutions enable consumers to place an order in a restaurant or bar, or ask for information within a venue, without needing to physically contact the screen. It will need to be possible for voice and gesture-controlled technology to be accessible by customers, whilst also allowing them to maintain social distancing, it’s this versatility and consideration that installers will need to have to best serve their clients in the industry.

Increased digitisation within the hospitality sector will support further advancements, and the inclusion of better practices in general. Screens in venues can help to centralise marketing efforts, displaying tailored messaging for each location. This can also be updated with the latest news on the pandemic for that area and also politely flag any issues with staff shortages due to isolation and illness, which could bring customers more on-side with venues navigating in a stressful environment.

As the world returns to ‘normal’, the hospitality industry is expected to make a strong comeback as people make up for lost time. As a result, we’re confident businesses and their installation partners will work together to ensure that their systems are upgraded and fully operational to allow for the best and safest service possible.

There is cautions optimism that hospitality can make a come back this year