For an industry notoriously sluggish to adopt new tech, the average hotel is juggling between 15-20 separate software systems at any one time (source: Hotel Tech Report). From inventory management to PMS to automated check-ins and contactless payments, the landscape of potential platforms is dizzying – and the onslaught of AI solutions is only adding to the deluge. 

But, when deployed judiciously, the right choice of AI can not only streamline your processes (hello, more time for the sh*t you actually need to do) but make your teams happier, too. By automating mindless yet time consuming tasks, you can optimise productivity, save precious hours and drive up employee retention. 

At Master Pass by L.E/Miami, the top 50 leaders in contemporary travel will join a workshop hosted by Alex Lamotte-Hysbergue – a leading voice in hospitality tech, the founder of Aphy and former Head of Tech at CitizenM. (Consider this your sneak preview.)

In our completely impartial, utterly unaffiliated opinion – here are some of the ways in which AI could be game-changing for your biz in the very near future, whether you’re a hotel, agent, DMC or somewhere in-between.

Revenue Management

Tools like Duetto’s ‘GameChanger’ and IDeaS’ Revenue Solutions are helping hotels and agents max out on profits while minimising hours spent poring over spreadsheets. The key benefits? AI can set dynamic pricing, allowing you to adjust room rates based on demand, supply, and even what your local competitors are charging. On a similar note, it can help you dial up your personalisation for valued guests and customers: from pricing to exclusive offers to keep them comin’ back. Via predictive modelling, AI tools can also analyse past data to predict future revenue, acting as a veritable crystal ball – so you can make more informed decisions on everything from inventory to room availability.

Repetitive Operations

While much has been made of the risk AI poses to jobs traditionally done by humans, less has been said of the time it can potentially free up for more meaningful tasks. From automated booking to contactless check-ins, chatbots and virtual assistants can release back-of-house staff from the mundanity of repetitive reporting and inventory tracking. 

“Hoteliers – especially those who are in the back-of-house jobs – spend a lot of their time chained to their desk,” Lamotte-Hysbergue told Hospitality Tech. “For example, many individuals spend hours every day just copying and pasting numbers to create reports. But that’s not why they went to work in the hospitality industry. They want to connect with people.”

Marketing & Guest Experience

While it seems paradoxical that AI can make your marketing more personalised, it’s absolutely true. Tools like Revinate Marketing and allora.AI can take a dive into the deepest recesses of your customer data, pulling out personalised insights on your most loyal guests’ booking behaviour, demographics and preferences, from their desired room temperature to how they like their eggs in the morning.

In a more strategic sense, AI can even monitor brand mentions across social platforms, identify potential influencers for lucrative partnerships, and respond to client feedback – without your marketing team lifting a finger.

Want to attract even more Gen Zers to your property, whether as guests, staff, or both? Then you need to pick up a Master Pass, taking place on Tuesday 11 June. Find out more about L.E/Master Pass here, reserved for the top 50 leaders in contemporary hospitality.