by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 4:15 PM ET, Wed June 24, 2015
Photos Courtesy of IHG.
Intercontinental Hotel Group announced this week that they are upgrading their mobile and in-hotel technology and in the process of rolling it out company wide. This comes less than two months after announcing their partnership with Amadeus to develop a cloud based reservation system.
Michael Menis, Senior Vice President Digital and Voice Channels, IHG, commented: "We continuously gather insights from consumers, which enables us to research, develop, pilot and launch new ways of engaging with guests across their Guest Journey. The initiatives we are showcasing today are really exciting because they reinforce how our digital capabilities add value beyond the booking opportunity. They are an illustration of how we evolve our content strategy to stay connected with guests and develop more meaningful relationships with them."
IHG is debuting mobile check-in and check-out as part of this plan. Not only will guests be able to confirm their arrival time via their device, they can also receive an SMS notification of when their room is ready. U.S. based IHG Rewards Club elite members will have exclusive access to the service first and then it will become available to everyone stateside with worldwide roll out coming last. In addition to this service, guest's folios will be available on their devices as well through the IHG app.
Currently in the testing phase is the mobile key technology which will allow guests to bypass the front desk altogether. Also in the trial stage is their IHG Guest Request service. This service, also accessed through the mobile app, allows guests to immediately request anything the need from the staff. The issue is also tracked and reported upon so that staff knows the current status is and who is responding.
The iBeacon technology is also being tested, this time in the China region, to allow guests who have the IHG app installed to be sent notifications and offers relevant to their stay when passing certain points throughout the properties.
IHG also has recently announced their translator app for the Apple Watch. Guests can simply speak into the watch and are given on-demand translations from English into 13 different languages.
Also, starting June 25, 2015, IHG will be partnering with stay.com and promoting them throughout the 50 cities that are supported by stay.com. Stay.com helps "guests research and plan their travel, and create personalized travel guides to share with friends."
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