eviivo, a hospitality software company that provides a cloud-based booking and property management platform (eviivo Suite) and mobile app (eviivo Mobile), recently released its Top Travel Tech Trends In Hospitality For 2023.
“Every year, we look at data internally to monitor spikes and dips and ebb and flow in bookings, survey both travelers and property owners on travel-related trends and build the technology both travelers and property owners increasingly seek,” says Michele Fitzpatrick, eviivo CEO. “We’re thrilled to pioneer technology advancements in our industry, and now, reveal the emerging tech trends that boutique hoteliers, vacation rental owners, property hosts and managers will find helpful to adapt to guest behavior moving into 2023.”
While buzzing technology advancements — such as facial recognition and robot hosts at properties are slated for later in the future — here’s what travelers and hoteliers, property hosts and vacation rental managers can expect next year.
Top Travel Tech Trends In Hospitality For 2023
1. Mobile apps will continue driving growth — and offer peace of mind. In our world of instant gratification, mobile apps have made it easier for travelers to book on the go — and it’s become a standard. Revenue Hub indicated mobile bookings doubled in just two years (9 in 10 bookings via mobile in 2022) — and will continue to grow.
An eviivo survey conducted in April 2022, which polled 1,000 property hosts, owners and boutique hoteliers specializing in short-term rentals and independent accommodations, showed 91% said a booking and property management mobile app is “extremely important” for running their business. Eviivo launched a first-of-its-kind mobile app for the industry, eviivo Mobile, which essentially mirrors eviivo Suite, and since its May 2022 launch, more than 82 percent of customers have downloaded it. The app meets high demand, helps improve quality of life and proves mobile is the future.
“Convenience for our customers was our biggest factor in launching eviivo Mobile, as was prioritizing health,” says Eric White, eviivo’s Chief Technology Officer. “We don’t want our customers sitting behind a desk all day — and they don’t want that either. With attention turning to improved mental health and quality of life, we want property owners and hosts to go explore, be outdoors, visit family and friends, and truly live life.”
2. APIs and omnichannel platforms will become the gold standard. While travelers may be unfamiliar with APIs (Application Programming Interface), it’s the Holy Grail technology that allows them to effortlessly browse, book, filter and stay in a property without any glitches.
“APIs offer seamless integration — such as apps, payment systems, OTAs and extranets — that eliminate manual work, reconciliation issues and restrictions of technology advancements,” says Michele Fitzpatrick, eviivo CEO. “APIs essentially integrate all the required technologies and tools necessary, rather than owners and hoteliers bundling or outsourcing to other businesses or platforms, which is exerting and expensive. Businesses that aren’t using APIs would be like retail shops using retro cash registers.”
For multi-property, multi-channel platforms, which include booking, advertising, communication and payment channels, APIs are fully built-in, and this native omnichannel, all-in-one platform integration allows accommodation providers to automate key repetitive work flows, simplify and ensure peace of mind for guest and staff.
3. Automation everything. Since Covid-19, “contactless” became both a buzzword and a reality, and it’s unarguably the new normal for 2023.
“Thousands of properties in our eviivo collection continue to add automated features and accessibility that travelers now expect,” says Eric White. “Whether it’s self-check-in upon arrival, automated texts during the stay, or even using your phone to control lighting, locks and the TV, automation has proved to set a standard for guests and hosts alike.”
Travelers are seeing more AI in travel, from virtual travel agents to website chatbots to help curate their stay, and hosts and hoteliers are benefiting by hospitality software that helps them better understand their guest preferences.
Automation comes at a time more travelers are preferring to book high-tech properties that eliminate interaction with staff, hosts and physical keys, according to a recent report by Oracle and Skift. eviivo recently partnered with leading self check-in solutions to continue offering the automation guests and hosts seek.
4. Virtual Reality will virtually become a reality. As indicated in our Top Travel Trends To Expect For 2023, virtual reality will wear the crown for determining places to visit. While most people say virtual-only trips leave too much to be desired at present, 46% admit they would be more likely to travel to new places after visiting them virtually, and with Metaverse introducing virtual and augmented reality, travelers will soon have plenty to choose from.
Virtual reality will also be more common on websites to offer virtual tours, which is known to increase bookings, improve guest review scores and simply stand out from competitors.
5. More powerful, independent websites. According to an eviivo survey conducted in August 2022, 29% of respondents prefer booking stays directly on the accommodation website, while 19% prefer booking through an OTA (online travel agency). Since, evivo has seen a gradual increase of more direct website bookings.
“Having your own functional, powerful website has become increasingly common for hoteliers and property owners since they have a lot more freedom for artistic creation, image galleries, style, and of course, no commissions to OTAs,” says Michele Fitzpatrick. “When we relaunched our Website Manager channel this past fall with more beautiful websites, all of which are SEO and mobile-friendly, we were surprised to see the high level of customers taking advantage.”
Independent properties managed by a large chain hotel, or multi-property business, have begun to operate their own websites to maximize direct bookings and have complete freedom when running their business.
When booking with OTAs, Booking.com and Expedia were the preferred choices for travelers, according to our survey.
Tags: Michele Fitzpatrick, eviivo, Eric White, Top Travel Tech Trends In Hospitality
