What matters more to your guests: a plush bed or skipping the front desk line altogether? The answer might surprise you.
Hospitality technology is now a top priority for both guests and businesses, driving customer satisfaction with faster, more intuitive, and personalized experiences. Behind the scenes, smart tools like property management systems, guest communication platforms, and event management software are helping hospitality businesses streamline operations and reduce costs.
In this article, we review technology solutions ranging from AI tools to QR Codes for hospitality. You’ll also find practical tips to help you implement these innovations at your hotel, restaurant, or event venue.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Why is technology important in modern hospitality?
A 2024 survey by Hilton revealed that technology topped the list of priorities for hotel guests across a range of demographics. Eighty percent of travelers want to book every detail of their trip online. The same percentage expressed a need for reliable access to venue Wi-Fi and smart devices, while 76% look for apps that can simplify their stay.
These expectations aren’t slowing down. A similar U.K. study found that most hoteliers are increasingly relying on technology to manage staff, serve customers, trim budgets, and remain competitive.
When guests use IT solutions to check in or handle routine requests, hotel staff can focus on more nuanced and personalized tasks. This kind of fast, contactless service not only boosts guest satisfaction but also reduces operational costs and staffing needs.
Explore how smart hospitality solutions can work for you: Getting Started Guide: Bitly for Hospitality.
Examples of hospitality technology solutions you should explore
Hospitality technology spans a wide range of tools, from individual smart devices to complex venue-wide data systems. Despite their diversity, these solutions all share a common purpose: they show how to improve the guest experience in hotels and other hospitality venues.
Here are eight effective solutions that can help you increase customer satisfaction through smarter hotel management.
Reservation and property management systems (PMS)
Property management and reservation systems can ease the burden on your staff through automation. These systems centralize bookings and room availability, allowing everything to be managed from a single platform. Many PMS platforms also integrate with online travel agencies and booking sites, creating a smoother reservation process for guests.
Best of all, using a PMS can increase occupancy rates. By listing available hotel rooms across multiple channels, hotels can reach a wider audience and secure more bookings. At the same time, these systems reduce the risk of double bookings or lost reservations, resulting in improved operational efficiency and better revenue management.
Dynamic QR Codes for better interactions
Dynamic Quick Response (QR) Codes are a simple, contactless way to share a range of information and resources with your guests. QR Codes can connect visitors to linked PDF menus, interactive check-in forms, Wi-Fi access, room keys, and more.
You can place them on printed materials, digital screens, and self-service kiosks, or even engrave them onto furniture. Guests simply scan the code with their smartphones to instantly access the content.
Contactless check-in is another way technology enhances the customer journey. Through integrated QR Codes, travelers can check in via their smartphone, receive room information, and skip the line at the front desk—saving time and minimizing manual touchpoints.
A major advantage of Dynamic QR Codes is their flexibility. You can update or edit the information they link to without reprinting the codes, maximizing time and resources. This is especially useful for keeping content current—like changing menu items, adjusting check-in forms for group reservations, or redirecting users to a new event registration page when plans change.
A professional tool like Bitly’s QR Code generator also gives you access to valuable metrics, such as the number of scans each code receives and the devices used to access linked content.
Guest communication platforms
Strong communication is at the heart of a positive guest experience. Modern guest communication platforms help you stay connected with customers at every stage of the guest journey—before they arrive, throughout their stay, and even after they leave.
AI chatbots are like the ultimate concierge—they’re always on call, never take days off, and have an answer for everything. They’re particularly effective at handling frequent questions, helping to lighten the load on your staff. According to a 2022 study by Oracle Hospitality, 77% of travelers are interested in using chatbots for customer service requests, and 39% would use them to order room service.
As guests increasingly prefer chat-based interactions, hotels can leverage this technology to deliver quick, reliable responses to common needs. Whether through dedicated mobile apps, website chat tools, or SMS, chatbots can take care of routine tasks, allowing your team to focus on more personalized experiences.
Revenue management systems (RMS)
Hospitality technology is transforming how hotels manage pricing, cash flow, and future planning. Revenue management systems harness historical data from your venue alongside wider market trends to inform smarter pricing strategies.
An RMS integrated with a property management system can analyze room bookings, rates, and real-time market conditions to recommend optimized pricing. By focusing on increasing Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR), these systems directly contribute to profitability.
Beyond pricing, an RMS can help forecast pricing trends and peak seasons, giving you a data-driven edge when planning for the future.
Upselling and personalization tools
Hospitality technology isn’t just about convenience—it’s also a clever way to boost profits through personalized recommendations. For instance, a hotel chatbot might suggest an upgrade to a room with a view or offer late-night dessert delivery tailored to a guest’s preferences. Similarly, a smart restaurant reservation system might tempt diners with a chef’s special or a perfectly paired wine based on their past orders.
Upselling like this offers more than just increased revenue—it makes guests feel seen and appreciated. When recommendations are thoughtfully curated, they’re a sign that you truly understand your patrons. This attention to detail can turn an ordinary stay into a “must-share” moment for your guests.
Event and F&B management tools
Events and food and beverage (F&B) services often contribute significantly to a venue’s revenue, but they can take significant coordination behind the scenes.
Smart tools can help streamline everything from inventory management to staff scheduling. Point-of-sale (POS) systems can make room service operations more efficient, while event management solutions simplify the planning processes for conferences, weddings, or other gatherings. These tools help ensure smooth execution, saving time and minimizing errors.
IoT and smart room technologies
For guests, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the most transformative aspects of smart hotel technology. It empowers them to customize their stay by controlling room features such as lighting, temperature, air conditioning, and entertainment systems.
Some smart devices come with built-in controls, while others offer more integrated options. For instance, you could provide guests with a smart speaker to adjust room settings or use a QR Code that, when scanned, lets them access controls via their mobile devices.
Automation is another game-changer. Energy management systems, for example, can detect when guests leave a room and automatically turn off lights or adjust HVAC systems. This not only reduces operational costs but also aligns with the growing demand for sustainable hospitality practices, helping hotels minimize their environmental impact.
AI-powered tools for insights and personalization
The next generation of smart hotel technologies is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). According to recent research, 89% of hospitality executives believe that generative AI will impact their business in the next three years, and 83% increased their AI budgets in 2024.
AI has two primary applications in hospitality management. First, it enhances analytics by analyzing guest behavior and preferences to deliver personalized recommendations, such as tailored upgrades or activity suggestions. Behind the scenes, AI might help identify predictive patterns or address operational challenges, like pricing strategies or energy use patterns.
Second, generative AI shines in its ability to simulate natural, human-like conversations. AI chatbots can ease the workload on your staff by efficiently managing routine guest queries and handling basic interactions.
Tips for using hospitality technology effectively
From advanced AI tools to simple, user-friendly solutions like QR Codes, hospitality technology offers a range of options for your business needs. To ensure you get the best results, here are five practical tips for implementing these tools:
Integrate systems for seamless workflows
It’s tempting to focus on the unique features of a single device or platform. However, it’s equally important to ensure each system interacts well with other tech solutions. For example, a revenue management system that doesn’t connect to your property management system can create inefficiencies. Prioritize tools with strong integration capabilities and straightforward setup processes.
Train staff on technology adoption
No matter how great a tool might be, it’s only effective if your team knows how to use it. Invest in thorough training to help staff understand the functionality and benefits of the tech. Ongoing support is also key to resolving any challenges that arise and maintaining smooth operations.
Focus on guest-centric solutions
At its core, the hospitality industry revolves around creating positive guest experiences. When deciding between different tech solutions, give priority to tools that have a direct impact on your customers. Features like IoT-enabled room controls, contactless QR Codes, and guest communication platforms can make a noticeable difference to their stay.
Use data to refine operations
Every piece of hospitality technology generates valuable insights, from operational metrics to guest behavior patterns. Leverage data from management systems, guest feedback platforms, guest interactions with smart devices, and business intelligence tools to identify areas for improvement, fine-tune your strategies, and uncover new opportunities.
Start small and scale up
Introducing new technology can feel like a big leap, but starting with a pilot program can make it more manageable. Testing the solution on a smaller scale lets you work out any kinks, optimize staff training, and ensure everything operates seamlessly before a full rollout.
This approach makes the transition easier for both guests and employees. Plus, if the tool doesn’t meet your expectations, it’s easier to pivot without a significant loss of time or money.
Transform your hospitality operations with the right tools
Smart hospitality technology is reshaping the industry, enabling efficient operations and more responsive customer service. Tools like smart devices, AI chatbots, and QR Codes let you deliver fast, personalized customer support around the clock. Meanwhile, advanced analytics help you manage costs, reduce your carbon footprint, and boost revenue.
Bitly Codes is a trusted solution for creating, customizing, and tracking QR Codes for everything from check-in forms to chatbot access or smart room controls. You can even customize the codes to reflect your brand and track guest interactions, such as the number of scans, the devices used, and the date or location of engagement.
QR Codes bridge the gap between your guests and the services they need, acting as a vital link within your technology ecosystem.
Start your smart hospitality journey with Bitly Codes—because your guests deserve a five-star digital experience.
