For a technology solution provider, breaking into a new market requires a clear-cut strategy. In the case of the hospitality market, this strategy ideally involves networking with hoteliers and showcasing solutions in a direct, hands-on manner.
Sparking the interest of Hotel Directors, Purchasing Officers and General Managers is not always as simple as sending them information regarding your solutions or services via email, or relaying this information over the phone. It’s only when hoteliers are able to clearly see the benefits that your technology could bring to their hotel that they will truly commit to doing business with you.
The hotel technology market is becoming increasingly competitive, with deals regularly being struck between solution providers and prestigious hotel chains. These include the recent agreement between the Ashton Hotel and OpenKey to implement the latter’s OpenKey app throughout the hotel. This will allow guests to enter their rooms via their smartphones, and significantly enhance guest experience.
Hotels are increasingly becoming “technology-led businesses”, with hotel brands like Accor dedicating themselves to maximising the use of technology to increase and retain guest loyalty, improve occupancy rates, and ensure that they remain competitive. Over the past two years, Accor has acquired mobile developer Wipolo, booking site Fastbooking.com and Onefinestay – all as part of a wider digital transformation strategy. And Accor is by no means alone in implementing such a strategy. Digital transformation is becoming a widespread trend among hotels worldwide, including in the Middle East.
Hotels around the region are boosting their prestige and market presence by incorporating technology into everything from direct booking to housekeeping. According to Khalid Abu Sharia, Marketing Manager at SCA Hygiene, “There is an increasing interest in finding smarter ways of working, using the power of the Internet of Things for instance. Hotels are looking for intelligent systems that enable its housekeepers and managers to efficiently offer increased quality of hospitality… for hotels it is very important to find ways to deliver a higher and more consistent quality of customer experience.”
On November 13th 2016, Naseba will be organising the 20th Hotel Technology Summit in Dubai to introduce Middle Eastern hoteliers to global technology solution providers like you. The summit will provide the ideal platform for you to connect with industry peers, meet with hospitality leaders and position your technology solutions as the best choice for boosting hotel brand recognition.
The summit will be attended by hotel technology experts from around the world. These include Jeroen Wisse, IT Director for the Middle East at Accor Hotels Middle East, and Ismail AlKamal, Chief Executive Officer at Nawatt. It is sponsored by Ateco, Nawatt, Xn Protel, Idiso and many others.