A digital approach to increasing value in the hospitality sector

-


As digital transformation continues to affect all industries, businesses need to stay ahead of the curve and see where they can use the latest technology to differentiate their offerings from their competitors. This is particularly true for the hospitality sector, with thousands of accommodation providers and disruptors fighting for the chance to impress relaxation seekers and travellers, and outbid competitors by offering the best value proposition.

There are many ways for hospitality businesses to use technology to improve their offerings, but one of the easiest is by incorporating innovative TVs and digital signage into their premises. This solves two problems for hospitality businesses. Smarter TVs allow guests to watch what they want, when they want, adding to your accommodation’s value proposition. Digital signage also offers a better way of communicating with guests. At home, we’re streaming the content we want to see on demand, and we’re relying on printers less and less. Consumers now expect the same experience from accommodation establishments.

The benefits of going digital

We’re seeing an increasing desire by hotels to share information with guests. This might include messages for the guests, activity lists, and all hotel information that’s traditionally found in the “black binder” next to the bed.  Hotels may also need to share general wayfinding information, conference itineraries and instructions, and restaurant and menu details. It’s essential that this information is up to date. If printed material is used, some of the information must be reprinted and redistributed daily. Often this comes at a considerable cost in printing materials and the staff required to implement it, not to mention the cost of having outdated information in circulation. This can annoy or confuse guests, making them less likely to return and increasing pressure on staff, who then have to field more guest queries.

 

Presenting information digitally, either on TVs in hotel rooms or on screens in general areas, does away with the need to reprint information daily. These messages can be updated all at once in an instant. If you have 20 rooms, staff won’t have to switch out 20 outdated activity lists, as someone can do it once online without wasting all that time, effort, and paper. The messaging function on a hotel TV can even be used to advertise happy hour, restaurant specials, or other income-generating activities in the form of an on-screen flash message or ticker tape message.

Choosing the right display

For guests who have become accustomed to streaming content on Netflix or YouTube, hotel owners can give them a taste of home by choosing a TV that can give them access to their accounts.

LG’s innovative 4K UHD Hospitality TV with Pro:Centric Direct is a major contender for best TV in the hospitality sector. It not only boasts a stylish design and a top-quality 4K Ultra HD resolution screen, but it also comes with unique features valued in hospitality. Pro:Centric Direct makes Netflix, YouTube, and a free weather app available to guests. The stable Linux-based platform is fully customisable, so hotels can have their own look and feel on their TVs, all controlled from a single interface, making it a cost-effective, reliable, and stylish solution. Hospitality users love the once-off license fee and the grouping, messaging, and data collection functions.

One Sandton hotel has installed over 700 of these TVs using just one LG Pro:Centric server, enabling Netflix and YouTube across the entire network with a once-off software license. Another hotel group runs more than 800 TVs off one server for three different hotels. LG’s Grouping feature means a single server using LG Pro:Centric Direct Software can create three different Hotel Guest User Interfaces, meaning that each hotel has its own look and feel, all from a single server at the cost of one license (once-off per TV).

TVs specially designed for the industry are a valuable investment for hotels and other hospitality players who are focussed on using technology to improve their competitiveness and value proposition. A designed-for-purpose TV like the LG 4K Ultra HD resolution Pro:Centric Direct has the potential to save staff time, decrease printing costs, and improve the guest experience.


By Tyrone Young, Hospitality Sales at LG South Africa

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Empowering Business Connectivity and Innovation: Insights from HPE and Tarsus Leadership

-
In a recent conversation, leaders from HPE shared their strategic initiatives and technological advancements designed to empower businesses in the digital landscape. Here are some key insights from the discussion: Introducing the Panel • Mandy Duncan, South Africa Country Manager at HPE Aruba • Michael Langeveld, Head of Technology & Business Development, HPE South Africa • President Ntuli, Managing Director at HPE South Africa Connecting with the Channel Community HPE’s strategy emphasizes connecting with its channel community. Mandy Duncan highlighted the importance of leveraging ecosystems across various geographies to drive business outcomes. HPE aims to create long-term, sustainable partnerships beyond short-term revenue goals. Announcements and Innovations 1. Data Protection as a Service: HPE announced a partnership with distributor Tarsus to introduce data protection as a service, addressing cybersecurity concerns such as ransomware.  2. Hybrid Cloud ...
Read more

Vodacom Group enhances employee offerings to endorse inclusivity and promote well-being.

-
Image
Vodacom Group, recently ranked by the Top Employers Institute as the continent’s number one employer, has now enhanced some of its employee offerings as part of its commitment to creating an inclusive work environment across its markets. With an emphasis on Compassion, Acceptance, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.), the company’s enhanced wellness initiatives include support for all stages of life, such as menopause, and a more encompassing family responsibility leave policy. “Our employees are the heart of Vodacom. We believe that their well-being contributes directly to our success as a company in fulfilling our purpose of connecting for a better future. By enhancing our employee value proposition through empathetic and inclusive policies and practices, we are creating a workplace culture where people feel empowered to thrive and make a positive impact on their career journey,” says Matimba Mbungela, Chief Human Resources Officer for Vodacom Group.  In a  recent research report ...
Read more

How can we grow young female entrepreneurship in South Africa?

-
Image
  How can we grow young female entrepreneurship in South Africa? By Linda McClure, Raizcorp COO South Africa, like many countries globally, grapples with the challenge of  youth unemployment . This is supported by statistics indicating a 45,5% unemployment rate among young individuals (aged 15-34 years), in contrast to the national average of 32,9% in the first quarter of 2024. It’s clear, though, that the struggle continues for many South African women – specifically in the area of small business and entrepreneurship. According to the World Bank, Africa boasts the highest growth rate of female-run businesses in the world. But down on the southernmost tip of the continent, women are still in the minority when it comes to entrepreneurship. While more than half of South Africa’s population is female, only 38% of SMEs are women owned and led. Despite these benefits and the potential of entrepreneurship to improve the socio-economic empowerment of  women in South Africa, ...
Read more