2021 Guide to Guest Entertainment by Multimedia AU/NZ

The 2021 Guide to Guest Entertainment

Samsung helps hotels and venues revive their guest entertainment

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TVs

make hotel rooms so much smarter

Image courtesy of LG Australia

By Grantlee Kieza, Industry Reporter

It was not that long ago that the world’s most luxurious hotels advertised having the latest release movies for in-room entertainment as a major selling point. But technology advances faster than the speed of light. These days everyone can get the latest movies on their phone. Hotel guests want more. They want not only all the comforts of home, but the technology to let them stay connected no matter where they are in the world. With the proliferation of streaming services these days, hotel guests are more likely to stream a Netflix, Stan or Amazon Prime program onto their in-room Smart TV than watch free-to-air channels. The boom in internet-based music platforms like Spotify – which boats almost 250 million subscribers – means guests also want to play music via Bluetooth

AccomNews - Summer 2021

through in-room speakers. Guests therefore expect hotels to offer as part of their entertainment package free, high-speed wifi without complicated log-in procedures, and no internet time-outs. A 2018 survey in The International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, found that “hotels should primarily use guests’ homes as reference points to provide the best service … because hotels are giving a service that is unlike any other”. “They have to be intertwined with the customer’s lifestyle.” The survey showed that 60 percent of consumers were more likely to choose a smartphone-enabled hotel, 96 percent thought wifi should be free and one-third of them would consider a lack of it to be a turn-off. More and more guests want to cast content from a personal device to their in-room TV, and hotel operators are being encouraged to invest in the latest technologies as they become available

to meet the ever-changing digital landscape we are seeing with mobile phones. Michael Johnson, the CEO of Tourism Accommodation Australia, told AccomNews that when guests check into a hotel “they want every convenience they have at home and more, and that includes all the technology linked to their smart phones. “That’s why the Smart TVs have become critical in the hotel business and why hotels are constantly having to update their technology to keep ahead of the trends. “They want a hotel TV that does everything that their own bigscreen Smart TV does at home. “It becomes an expectation for guests that their room will provide the latest technology and if the hotel does not meet that expectation, maybe the guest might not stay at that property again.” Mr Johnson said the Australian industry was seeing a trend of smaller hotel rooms but “much more high-tech – decked out with all the comfort and

GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

technology you have at home. “You've now got hotel rooms that have an iPad loaded with apps that can access all services and can double up as a phone. “I can recall the days when making an overseas call from a hotel room was a very complicated and expensive procedure. But that’s the speed of technology changing.’’ Devices such as Apple TV will make it possible for guests to access their favourite programs in hotel rooms simply by using voice commands and not even pressing a button. Already, hotels are using televisions with screens so thin and technology so advanced that with a flick of a switch they can be transformed from in-room paintings to in-room entertainment. Disguised as works of art they morph into entertainment and information hubs, with connectivity so precise that they can connect with guests’ mobile phones, making hotel remote controls obsolete. And the most modern Smart TVs have become so loaded www.accomnews.com.au

How has the rise of casting/ streaming affected the entertainment landscape? “Over 85 percent of guests prefer to cast their own content rather than watch what the hotel has on offer. Everyone now carries a smart phone with them, that in most cases already contains the content that they regularly consume. Pre-existing models have not adopted to the point where they allow the guest to be set free to be in completely in control. SONIFI’s STAYCAST Powered by Google Chromecast offer the guest such freedom of choice and with over 389,000 rooms deployed it is clearly globally the hotelier’s choice of casting platform.”

Image courtesy of HoneyBadger Technologies

with features that they can not only display all hotel services, room charges and dining menus, but control such things as lighting, air conditioning, alarms and music speakers. Some TV systems can now switch off the lights and close blinds when guests leave the room or climb into bed. They can even activate motion sensors at night-time if a guest needs to use the bathroom so that they do not bump the furniture in the dark. Technology experts say that

before long guests using voice command technology on their Smart TVs will simply be able to tell the room exactly what they want without touching a thing. AccomNews questioned top industry suppliers on their entertainment technology solutions for accommodation managers... We asked CEO of HoneyBadger Technologies, Heinrich Saayman, what accom managers should consider when upgrading their guest entertainment offerings.

“With the rapid changing landscape of guest entertainment, it is becoming more evident that the guest would like to have the freedom of choice of content, and wants to be freed from the traditional TV line-up in hotels. “Remote check-out and bills being emailed also ranks high on the list of features in demand. "The majority of the guests are conscious of their own security and would prefer not to log into any apps on TVs or devices that they do not own.”

What is the current state of guest entertainment and how has the COVID-19 pandemic changed expectations? “COVID-19 has escalated the hotelier’s drive for high ROI solutions and has had a rapid change in viewing behaviour. "Casting is the number one solution that is in demand and with the huge growth in streaming enabled apps, has become an obvious choice for any hotel."

Image courtesy of HoneyBadger Technologies

www.accomnews.com.au

GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

AccomNews - Summer 2021

"STAYCAST can deliver a ROI up to three times faster versus the pre-existing guest entertainment solutions.”

What does the future hold for hospitality TVs? “As a high-definition extension of our mobile devices we now use these displays more than ever when staying in hotels. Seamless, secure integration with other hotel services and platforms makes the

in-room TV a highly valued requirement in enhancing the guest experience.” Jae Lim, Product Director, Information Display & IT, LG Electronics Australia , explained what accommodation managers should consider when upgrading their guest entertainment offerings. “I would suggest they consider the whole guest experience and how this aligns to their brand identity.

"Many consumers already have high quality devices at home, and they want an accommodation experience to feel like a second home. This means providing TVs that are user friendly, with easy to find hotel content about their stay, high quality (such as 4K or OLED) and that have casting and streaming capabilities, this is increasingly important. “In the market, we are also seeing a lot of places increasing the size of the panels in rooms, as large-size TVs have become so commonplace in the home that consumers expect this when they’re staying away from home. “Apart from the guest experience, accom managers should be thinking about how easy it is to manage a large number of devices across a site. For example, hospitality TV functions such as USB cloning can reduce the effort to manage and upgrade devices, which is a huge plus. An LG hospitality TV feature called ‘Soft wareenabled Access Point (Soft AP)’ is a ‘virtual’ wifi feature that uses the TV as a wireless hotspot,

Image courtesy of LG Australia

enabling guests to connect their own devices to the Soft AP. It’s a really great feature.”

How has the rise of casting/ streaming affected the entertainment landscape? “Consumers are demanding access to high quality content wherever they go, and this is quickly becoming an expectation wherever they stay as well. Many places are getting casting built into their hospitality TVs or enabling users to cast from their own devices, this means consumers are really in the driving seat when it comes to what they watch.”

What is the current state of guest entertainment and how has the COVID-19 pandemic changed expectations? “As I mentioned above, we are all seeing a shift in the expectations from accommodation since the

Delivering on promises Engage, Inform and Entertain your guests

Alva Hotel delivers a premium guest experience with contemporary design and smart technology from Exterity When Alva Hotel, Hong Kong set out to to deploy cutting-edge, hotel-wide digital signage and in-room infotainment systems, they were keen to establish a new benchmark in hotel TV entertainment guest experience. Working closely with SmarTone and Exterity, they have delivered one of the most forward-thinking and technologically innovative properties in the region through the deployment of an end-to-end Exterity solution comprising: •

Interactive in-room TV interface deployed to 700 guest room Sony BRAVIA SmartTVs

•

Advanced TV and environmental controls accessible via in-room iPad

•

Guests stream own content onto their TV via Chromecast

AccomNews - Summer 2021

with Exterity IP video, digital signage and guest experience solutions

and iOS mirroring •

•

Multiple 4K local and premium TV channels streamed direct to SmartTVs Digital signage widely used in public areas around the hotel

“Capabilities, service and support were of paramount importance, so our natural choice was Exterity, which has built a strong reputation in the hospitality world”. SmarTone

• Entertain guests with extensive in-room live TV & movies

• Drive additional revenue with TVbased orders

• Enable guests to stream own content to TV via Chromecast

• Deliver a personalised guest experience with PMS integration

• Engage and communicate with guests via hotel-wide digital signage

• Provide a tailored interface that reflects the guest’s loyalty membership level

+61 (0) 2905 61199 info@exterity.com www.exterity.com

GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

www.accomnews.com.au

beginning of 2020. Our clients are telling us that, as consumers are currently unable to travel more broadly, whether interstate or overseas, they are seeing the accommodation experience being used as a holiday where it might have been a business trip 12 months ago. This means the in-room experience, and the entertainment aspect of this, is super important. The new range of hospitality TVs are enabling all sorts of futuristic capabilities and we encourage accom managers to think big about how they could use the TVs.”

like lighting, room service, air con, concierge services. The sky really is the limit.” Jeff Rhode from Liveport Australia Pty Ltd told us what accom managers consider when upgrading their guest entertainment offerings.

Image courtesy of HoneyBadger Technologies

What does the future hold for hospitality TVs? “LG consistently works to improve our ranges through continued research and innovation, but we also work with a number of systems integrators to develop new features and capabilities. We are seeing requests for features like voice activation or how to use the TV as a central hub to control room features

Jeff Rhode

“First and foremost, accom managers must understand that guests judge in-room entertainment offerings based off of what is now frequently being used at home. "Gone are the days when a

property could get by with just offering basic channels and a limited library of videoon-demand options. Instead, guests want to see the same functionality and flexibility that modern consumer-based entertainment platforms offer. "However, addressing this growing need isn’t as simple as buying and installing systems that are mostly designed for home use.

"For a hospitality environment, there are additional factors that need to be taken into consideration such as the need to protect guest data and privacy. “Other issues that accom managers need to consider is how such platforms when deployed on a large-scale basis within each guestroom, can continue to work seamlessly without causing disruptions to other services or guests. P10

Changing guest entertainment in the hospitality industry Streamvision have been at the forefront of Guest Entertainment technology for over 10 years and service the world’s largest brands. Their solutions are leading class and delivered at a reasonable cost. They are the only supplier to the Hospitality Industry with all GRE and HSIA solutions. A true single source supplier meaning one call to make for their 24/7 support. Their solutions include IPTV/ Casting, HSIA/WIFI Supply and Installation, Digital Concierge, Tablet Software Solutions, Digital Signage, TV Supply and Installation and more. CLUBstreamvision revolutionises Guest Entertainment for the industry.

CLUBstreamvision by Streamvision The future of Guest Entertainment in the Hospitality Industry All of your Guest Entertainment needs from a single provider

This unique membership program includes license free access to all of their products, regardless if you use them, with a single low cost of $5.00 ex GST per room per month. This drastically reduces operating costs and increases profitability for venues during this critical time of recovery.

IPTV CASTING MATV WIFI DIGITAL SIGNAGE TABLET SOLUTIONS TV SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION

VIDEO ON DEMAND* HSIA DIGITAL CONCIERGE

One Support Number to call, and ONE LOW SUPPORT COST of $5.00 ex GST per Room per Month. Consolidate your service providers and start saving now. CLUBstreamvision will provide your Guests with the latest Guest Entertainment Solutions, while greatly reducing your operating costs, allowing you to recover from the pandemic faster. Call us now on 1300 300 407 or email sales@streamvision.com.au www.streamvision.com.au/clubstreamvision *Additional costs may apply

Call today on 1300 300 407 or email sales@streamvision.com.au

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GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

AccomNews - Summer 2021

Wooing and wowing customers on agenda for hospitality The Australian hotel and hospitality industry continues to look forward to the easing, and eventual eradication of the Covid-19 virus. Resumption of travel services, reopening of State borders and Government incentive programs will all help a sector which has been hit harder than most by the Covid-19 pandemic. A recent survey by recruiters The Monday Group, found that 90 per cent of the sector had to reduce headcount and salaries because of coronavirus. Whilst, anecdotally, many boutique operators struggled to stay in business. However, with millions of Australians now hoping to resume travelling this year, proprietors must now consider how they can win the hearts, minds and wallets of this new travelling audience. Perhaps also as important, accommodation providers are acutely aware they will still be operating with some public safety and sanitation measures in place. It’s on both counts that technology may be able to help. On a podcast last year Ross Beardsell, Executive Vice President, JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group said, “Hotels are reviewing technology to engage with customers using low touch points while delivering a seamless guest experience.” 2

for the accommodation and hospitality industry. It features a NanoCell Display, which delivers vivid details and incredible picture quality and also features the option to use Pro:Centric technologies for easy management, configuration and updates on guest room TVs via a centralised management system

The LG Pro:Centric Smart Platform allows guests to do everything from controlling a range of other devices in the room to a voice control function through LG Natural Language Processing (NLP). For customers potentially wary of touching too many room surfaces, this is an important benefit.

Jae Lim, Product Director, Information Display & IT, LG Electronics Australia said “hotels want dedicated Hotel TV solutions such as the US765H because they’re a stylish and impressive addition to their guests’ rooms, with the option to add service and operational management that makes life easy for Australian hotel management.”

Other features include using the TV as a virtual WiFi hotspot, accessing hotel information via dedicated apps and even pairing their own devices whilst away from home. There is also minimal staff intervention needed for any post-installation changes or maintenance work. This new generation of hospitality

With the clock ticking on installing low-touch technology, companies like LG Electronics Australia have been working with many local and global hospitality groups to roll-out networked commercial displays which can provide entertainment options for guests whilst minimising direct contact with staff.

displays can be configured or updated remotely from a server or cloud platform. With companies such as LG providing tools and training, hundreds of TVs can be updated quickly. The panel is extremely user friendly in other ways thanks to LG Smart TV features. Newly added Mood Display and Gallery modes enable you to utilise the TV as a piece of digital artwork which blends in effortlessly with the existing design of the room. “This new generation of smart TVs play an increasingly important role in the entire guest experience. Not only do they look great but they provide an effortless interactive in-room experience that leaves them really impressed,” Lim said. “With the hotel competition likely to be fierce to attract guests when Covid-19 restrictions subside, this is an affordable and sophisticated way of improving the guest experience.” 1 K ://www.mondaygroup.com. au/blog/2020/08/hiring-duringcovid-19-be-prepared

https://www.thehotelconversation. com.au/news/2020/06/01/ hotel-owners-and-operatorsexamining-ways-reinventthemselves-after-covid-19-says

For example, the company recently launched the Hospitality ProCentric Smart Hotel TV (US765H) specifically

Additional charges apply.

For more information on LG commercial displays for the hospitality industry please visit: https://www.lg.com/au/business/information-display

AccomNews - Summer 2021

GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

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can now take their streaming subscriptions with them on personal devices and continue to enjoy unlimited access.

Image courtesy of Samsung

P07 "They further need to ask themselves if the adopting of a particular platform requires the replacement of pre-existing television hardware. Is it compatible with existing wifi networks and can it operate on such a network without causing a substantial reduction in wifi service quality? Also relevant is whether a platform requires complex integrations to run smoothly which may result in larger deployment expenses and disruptions to operations. “To avoid these sorts of problems from arising, managers need to look at entertainment solutions that are designed specifically for the accommodations industry and that take such issues into full account. "Such platforms for example, are engineered to be fully compatible with the vast majority of television and network systems in use by hotels today. They also offer the ability to control and monitor performance, with any arising issues able to

be immediately identified at the source and addressed. "Unlike smart televisions, these platforms further offer guests the ability to access personal streamed accounts without the need to enter login or password information.”

How has the rise of casting/ streaming affected the entertainment landscape? “Casting and streaming technology has completely redefined what the vast majority of guests expect to see from their in-room entertainment experience. Since becoming available, both features have cut tremendously into the profits that hoteliers once enjoyed from their video-ondemand services. This has led to more and more properties eliminating such offerings due to their cost and lack of ROI. Understandably, most guests see little value in paying a fee for content when they

Image courtesy of Samsung

AccomNews - Summer 2021

"While initially hoteliers may have been unable to find a solution to this trend, the industry now has the ability to provide guests with instant access to their very own content on larger guestroom television screens. This not only allows hoteliers to cater to the growing push towards guest experience personalisation, but also places the guestroom television back at the centre of guest entertainment. “Doing so opens up the opportunity to utilise televisions as hotel-to-guest communication portals where properties can promote offerings and even allow guests to make requests. This not only can lead to improved hotel stay experiences but also provides properties with the ability to recoup revenue that once came from video-on-demand sales.”

What is the current state of guest entertainment and how has the COVID-19 pandemic changed expectations? “With many guests opting to remain socially distanced within their rooms, it is more crucial than ever for hoteliers to adopt guestroom-centric entertainment options that ensure guests are still able to enjoy their stay. Even before the pandemic, recent guest survey results indicated that approximately 50 percent of travellers would re-evaluate their booking decision based on the availability of content casting functionality. This number is surely set to rise as more guests rely on the availability of casting to keep themselves preoccupied and should be considered a top priority in a property’s efforts to stay competitive within the new industry environment. "In addition to social distancing, hoteliers are also now thoroughly aware that guests wish to limit their exposure to shared surfaces and in-room entertainment is no exception. As a result, more advanced guestroom entertainment platforms have adapted to provide guests with full contactless control over virtually all functions. This includes the ability to use in-room virtual assistants as a

GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

way to interact with televisions, hotel service offerings and other in-room amenities such as thermostats using voice commands. Recognising that different guests have different preferences, platforms such as BeyondTV also offer the ability for guests to control features and services using their own personal devices. Accessible by scanning a QR code or by manually registering their device, guests can safely turn TVs on or off, switch channels, adjust volume, view TV guides, access streamed content, order hotel amenities such as room service and much more without increasing germ exposure risks.”

What does the future hold for hospitality TVs? “Televisions are increasingly playing a leading role in a hotelier’s goal to provide guests with the ultimate in convenience and personalised service. With the rise of IoT and interconnected hotel environments, televisions can serve as a focal point where guests can dictate how their stay experience unfolds from the moment that they arrive. Using either a TV remote, virtual assistant or their own devices, guests can now instantly locate details on available hotel amenities or promotions. “Without having to pick up a phone, they can instantly transmit requests for an array of services with such requests being automatically submitted to the appropriate department to ensure a swift response. Guests can even use televisions to review their bill or check-out, eliminating another previous need to visit the front desk and risk additional germ exposure. "Such abilities will undoubtedly continue to be enhanced and more features will become available as additional hotel systems and amenities become integrated. "Ultimately, and as more guests become accustomed to the conveniences and customisation abilities of comprehensive entertainment platforms, we are fast approaching a moment in the industry where these television-based services will come to be viewed as widely expected and essential to achieving guest satisfaction." P14 www.accomnews.com.au

Give your guests the in-room

experience they want We live in an increasingly mobile world – and as a consequence your guests now expect contactless services and ﬂexibility to interact with your inroom guest technology.

view their favourite programs when they want to.

HoneyBadger Technologies can provide your hotel with a safer environment and more eﬃcient operations using our intelligent technology, both in the room and on the go.

Every year over 500M guests use SONIFI® technology worldwide.

With great technology, leading entertainment solutions and a higher than average ROI, this ensures excellent value to our clients. Your guests want the convenience of home and that includes being able to

The ability to stream media apps such as Netflix and Youtube by way of their mobile device is now the most important content in a guest room.

Let your guests have a safe and seamless experience while staying at your property, using our touchless offering* they will be in control during their stay. HoneyBadger Technologies solutions offer: •

Streaming with STAYCAST™ powered by Google Chromecast

•

Personalised digital offerings to your guests

•

Effortless energy management including power saving on TV

•

Seamless control of multiple systems via the guest’s mobile device

•

In-room TV control and channel changing

Every hospitality business is unique and HoneyBadger Technologies provide you with the opportunity to fully customise your management system to your needs. With our unparalleled service and commitment to the industry we are with you 24/7.

FEARLESS - INNOVATIVE ADAPTIVE - HoneyBadger For more information contact us at www.honeybadger.tech * Some features described may require additional software, hardware, licensing and costs. HoneyBadger Technologies is an oﬃcial partner and service provider of SONIFI ®.

With over 300,000 installed rooms, we deliver access to 2000+ Apps, touchless integrations, personal support and provide a high ROI on your investment.

Distributed by HoneyBadger Technologies

Your guests can choose what they want to watch, when they want to watch it! With HoneyBadger Technologies they’ll feel right at home. For more information contact us www.honeybadger.tech

*Some features described may require additional software, hardware, licensing and costs. HoneyBadger Technologies is an authorised reseller of SONIFI. SONIFI® & STAYCAST® are registered trademarks of SONIFI Solutions, Inc. Google Chromecast is a trademark of Google LLC. All other trademarks used are the property of their respective owner.

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AccomNews - Summer 2021

Raising the bar on hotel guest entertainment & service Bridging the Gap in Today’s Guest Entertainment, Convenience & Safety Needs

Many hotel priorities and service needs have unarguably been turned upside down over the course of the last year. Others have been reshaped and have taken on new meaning in the goal to regain guest trust while still catering to expectations of an enjoyable hotel stay experience. In-room guest entertainment is one such area where hoteliers are discovering that advances in technology are simultaneously allowing them to create safer, contactless service environments where increasing demands for guest experience personalization can always continue to be fully met.

Creating the Ultimate Guestroom-centric experience BeyondTV and BeyondTV GuestCast from Liveport represent hospitality’s most recent advances in bringing the latest entertainment and service needs together using a more health risk conscientious approach. With many guests likely to remain socially distanced within their guestrooms for the foreseeable future, BeyondTV and BeyondTV GuestCast provides each with the ability to bring their various entertainment interests and preferences with them from home. Engineered specifically for hotel environments, both solutions allow guests to instantly and securely cast streamed content from personal devices onto guestroom televisions. From Netflix and Disney+ to STAN and YouTube, BeyondTV and BeyondTV GuestCast offer hassle-free casting abilities to thousands of mobile-based apps, providing guests with ultimate say over their entertainment options without ever requesting a single login password. With approximately half of guests now viewing casting availability as having an influence on booking decisions according to recent surveys, the need for

AccomNews - Summer 2021

hoteliers to offer such functionality is more important than ever. Yet with the comprehensive inroom service abilities of BeyondTV, Liveport doesn’t just cater to the increasingly important trend of in-room content streaming. It also equips hospitality professionals with a vital opportunity to address today’s demands for hotel service and amenity interaction free of germ risks. By converting existing televisions into advanced guest-to-hotel communication portals, BeyondTV sidesteps the need for guests to physically interact with staff in order to make requests or find out hotel information. Instead and without having to set foot outside of their guestroom, each guest can review inroom dining options, request housekeeping or room service, ask staff to provide extra pillows or toiletries and much more. Guests can even use BeyondTV to review their bill and check-out, eliminating another previous need for having to visit the front desk. With many guests expecting hotels to be transparent over what cleanliness regulations have been adopted, BeyondTV can also be used to automatically play cleaning procedure videos when a guest first arrives.

Maximizing Surface Contact Safety As many hotels are continuing to discover, returning guests are not just looking for a revamping of services that abide by social distancing rules- they are also expecting to see the introduction of amenities that eliminate the need to handle any shared surfaces. As a platform that continues to evolve to meet the latest industry needs, BeyondTV again meets this growing need with the launch of its all-new myRemote feature. With the scanning of a QR code or by manually registering their device, guests can convert their own smartphones, tablets and laptops into contactless remotes that can control virtually all BeyondTV features. Using myRemote, guests can more safely turn televisions on or off, adjust volume, switch channels or review TV guides. Without having to pick up a physical remote or guestroom telephone that may hold germs, guests can also issue requests for available hotel services completely worry-free. myRemote even caters to increasing personalization expectations by allowing guests to select television language and colour backgrounds.

GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

Recognizing that each guest has their own unique preferences when it comes to hotel service and amenity interaction, BeyondTV is further fully compatible with Google Nest to provide the latest in virtual assistant functionality. Guests can simply issue a voice command to control television settings, request in-room dining or find out the opening and closing hours of onsite facilities such as fitness centres. Additionally providing guests with the ultimate in contactless guestroom environments, BeyondTV’s voice control abilities can also extend to offering touch-free control over thermostats, lighting, drapes and much more.

Rebuild Guest Trust & Satisfaction on a Solid Foundation of Connectivity As with most IoT technologies, providing guests with contactless and social distancing compatible services requires both high-speed and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. Trusted by hospitality’s leading hotel brands, Liveport has both the technology and industry expertise needed to ensure your property has what it needs to deliver the next generation of guest connectivity and peace of mind. www.accomnews.com.au

P10 Samsung spokesperson, Phil Gaut, offered us his view on what accom managers should consider when upgrading their guest entertainment offerings:

Image courtesy of Samsung

Phil Gaut

“First and foremost, the entertainment offering should be part of the overall guest experience, not just a siloed purchase as the expectations from customers are more integrated than just the TV in the room. The right display is a large piece of that puzzle. Invest in technology that mirrors the level of personalisation that guests enjoy at home. Customers nowadays are likely to have top of the range televisions at home and come

to expect the same if not better when they stay in a hotel. “Brands like Samsung enable hotels to customise displays, such as housing images, logos and feature icons on the home screen – creating a truly personalised experience. “The next consideration would be longevity. As venues look to upgrade, they should do so with the long-term in mind, investing in offerings that can be easily managed and maintained over time. When looking to upgrade new technology, it’s also worth considering how it’s purchased. Rental or leasing programs,

like Samsung Finance allow you to upgrade your display technology, without the upfront costs. The built-in technology refurbishment buy-back program also means your business can keep up with upgrades. Plus, you can offset your lease repayments by recycling old display assets, keeping your rooms at the forefront of display technology.”

How has the rise casting/streaming affected the entertainment landscape? “It’s no surprise that Australians

love streaming content and it’s important for hotels to consider the breadth and diversity of content that they offer. Picture quality is also a point of consideration, the TV set-up should allow customers to watch and enjoy content in high definition and at a comfortable and immersive size. This is becoming more and more important as movies; TV series and videos are increasingly being produced in higher resolution formats and big screens become more common placed. “As TVs in hotels are known to have long running times, it’s

Image courtesy of Exterity

AccomNews - Summer 2021

GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

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Image courtesy of Exterity

What is the current state of guest entertainment and how has the COVID-19 pandemic changed expectations? “During the downtime, Australians became more closely connected to their entertainment systems at home. This time provided hotels with an opportunity to enhance their offerings, which many took advantage of. "As such, customers now expect the highest level of personalisation and technology when they’re staying away from home. "Venues must be able to meet that same level of expectation customers have at home with the offerings they provide. “With the constant change of restrictions, hotels should also be thinking about signage outside of the guest room. "Having digital signage in key areas around the hotel allows for a sophisticated way to communicate updates to guests. “The days of gathering together in big groups to watch sporting matches from the hotel bar or a www.accomnews.com.au

public space is a distant memory for now. Installing screens in more locations and with larger screen sizes can allow for guests to congregate safely in a space to enjoy the game! “

also important to note that all TV displays are not the same. Make sure you’re selecting technology with the processing power required to run the content without experiencing lag or confusing interface that guests can’t interact with.”

What does the future hold for hospitality TVs? “TV displays have always held an important role in elevating the overall experience in hotel rooms. Given recent advances in display technology, the future of hospitality TVs is exciting, increased picture quality, more personalisation opportunities to bring together the overall experience and you’ll start to see additional design-led features to help ensure the décor of the room is complimented by the tech. "For example, Samsung’s The Frame will now be offered to hospitality businesses bringing a new stylish option to lift the room appeal with the ability showcase art when the TV is not in use and a customised aesthetic that blends with the room design. “We are going to see the TV be more than just a single source of entertainment. In the future it will become the standard that the menu, location directory, and services are all integrated into an intuitive, easy to navigate solution through the in-room TV. "As we’ve now swiftly moved away from physical welcome cards and information in rooms a digital option on the TV is a more hygienic and sophisticated way to communicate with guests.” GUIDE TO GUEST ENTERTAINMENT

AccomNews - Summer 2021

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