Hotels worldwide started shifting their focus to implementing digital technologies as solutions to their traditional operations and processes. One of the most popular technologies in today’s digital age is mobile check-in. But what are the reasons why your hotel should include mobile check-in as a service?
What is mobile check-in for hotels?
Mobile check-in is a self-service technology for hotel guests replacing the traditional check-in process. For a mobile check-in to work, hotels need to send their guests a link via email or mobile apps where they can attach a scanned ID card and fill in their details such as names, addresses and payment methods.
This way, hotel guests can use their mobile devices to select a preferred hotel room and complete the online check-in process before arrival.
Mobile check-in technology prevails over traditional methods due to its powerful benefits for guests and hotel staff. Furthermore, according to the research “The Oracle Hospitality and Skift Research Report,” published in 2020, people find it useful for multiple purposes.
Such as :
- Using mobile check-in can reduce check-in time by 70%
- 73% of hotel operators think that contactless technology is becoming an essential part of the hotel industry
- 90% of surveyed millennials prefer to skip front desk lines by checking in via their mobile device
- 84% of travelers find social distancing during their hotel stay essential for health safety
- 71% of hotel guests prefer hotels that have implemented a contactless check-in
If combined with a digital room key, mobile check-in systems enable guests to seamlessly complete the check-in process and gain instant access to their hotel room without queueing at the front desk.
Customers receive the room number on their cell phone and a unique digital key to open the guest room door. When they arrive at the hotel, they need to simply scan their mobile device in front of the digital key sensor, typically attached to the door.
Enhance customer experience and satisfaction level
Client engagement is a crucial element of the hospitality industry, and mobile check-in technology offers just that. You can begin communicating, create lasting relationships and increase loyalty even before your guests arrive at the hotel.
After they come, they can enjoy more focused and individual interaction with the hotel staff, whose time will be prioritized towards delivering a tailored guest experience.
Hoteliers who implement mobile check-in options at their hotels gain their guests’ confidence and trust by staying on top of the latest technology trends in the hotel industry and being ahead of the competition. Hotel guests report increased satisfaction levels due to self-service technology, timely catering to their needs and receiving relevant information.
Drive additional revenue through increased marketing and sales opportunities
Another reason to include mobile check-in services in your hotel is the opportunity to improve your marketing, increase sales and drive additional revenue. Good practices show that up-selling strategies work best throughout the initial stages of the guest journey and the booking and check-in process.
By implementing mobile hotel check-in, hoteliers can offer their guests diverse activities, services, pricing and upgrades such as:
- Room upgrades (top floor suites, river/sea/garden/panoramic views and rebates)
- Restaurant bookings (fine dining, breakfast throughout the stay)
- On-site offers (luxurious spa treatments, saunas, pools)
- Off-site offers (guided activities, discounted tours)
- Other (late check-out, parking, chauffeur services).
Since research shows that guests are more likely to book add-ons before they arrive at their destination, mobile check-in offers a fantastic opportunity to increase hotel service sales before the guest’s arrival. It’s important to note that typically travelers are not aware of their plans earlier than 30 days before arriving.
Save on time and human resources
The traditionally set check-in and check-out hours used to cause large queues at hotels’ reception desks and cleaning staff hurrying to clean up all the free guest rooms as fast as possible. Hotel mobile check-in saves on in-house staff time and human resources, which is only logical due to its self-service and contactless technology.
The mobile solution gathers check-in and check-out details and guest reservation data that you can integrate with the hotel’s property management system. This way, management can assign tasks to staff members and create more specific schedules and efficient processes, thus improving efficiency and saving time. Employees can focus on more high-priority tasks and enjoy a smoother workload while eliminating the possibility of human error.
Provide a sense of safety during the Coronavirus pandemic
The Coronavirus pandemic hit the tourism and hospitality industry unexpectedly, causing a significant drop in bookings and health-safety-related concerns. Governments and health organizations created numerous guidelines and requirements to ensure the minimal spreading of the disease, which drove hoteliers to think of and implement innovative solutions.
Allowing travelers and hotel guests to check-in via their mobile devices provided a sense of security and turned into a preferred working method. Social distancing, reminding people to wear their masks or gloves, disinfecting items constantly and worrying about avoiding contact are things of the past.
Technology makes things faster and guests are no longer required to wait in a large group of people at the front desk or transfer items such as ID/credit cards/pens/papers/key cards.
To provide a greater sense of safety, make sure to send an informative email to your future guests, explaining:
- Precaution measures at your hotel
- Hygiene and sanitization hours and processes
- What they can do via their mobile devices (check-in, payments, upgrades, orders, etc.).
Boost brand loyalty
Many hoteliers are motivated to include mobile check-in services to boost brand loyalty. Providing your guests with an exceptional experience will make them come back or write a good review or recommend your brand to friends and fellow associates.
Online services such as mobile check-in can be used to offer personalized services and even subscribe to a weekly/monthly newsletter. You can send special offers, discounts and loyalty coupons to your subscribers, informing them about new opportunities and experiences. Hence, they get a sense of value and belonging to a community.
It helps set you apart from the competition
The competition in the hotel industry has always been fierce, but today it’s greater than ever before. Keeping up and implementing digital technologies specifically designed for hotels can help you set yourself apart from your competitors.
Properties from all sizes, including small boutique hotels and large hotel chains, are shifting towards high-tech digital solutions. Falling behind on these trends can have a detrimental effect on customer engagement, reviews, sales, direct bookings and driven revenue. That’s why businesses need to provide modern hotel guest solutions.
FAQs
Is it important to implement mobile check-in in a hotel?
Implementing mobile check-in in hotels is vital for the business for several reasons, including:
- Enhancing customer experience and satisfaction levels
- Driving additional revenue through increased marketing and sales opportunities
- Saving on time and human resources
- Providing a sense of safety during the Coronavirus pandemic
- Boosting brand loyalty
- Setting yourself apart from the competition.
What are the benefits of mobile check-in?
Hotel guests and hotel staff can benefit from mobile check-in and its features. It helps in reducing front desk waiting times and streamlines the check-in process. It allows guests to check in from anywhere and anytime.
At the same time, hotel employees have better-planned schedules, reduced working hours at the front desk and can focus on other priority tasks, like engaging with customers.
Why do hotels need self-check-in?
Hotels need mobile check-in or self-check-in to stay on top of the latest hotel trends and help them gain popularity among their competitors. The technology brings numerous benefits that increase customer satisfaction and help hotels gain brand loyalty and excellent reviews.
How can I improve my hotel check-in?
You can improve hotel check-ins by incorporating additional features such as newsletter subscriptions, purchasing add-on services, looking through special offers, and upgrading and booking luxurious amenities.