Is Augmented Reality Beneficial to the Hospitality and Tourism Industry?

In recent years, the hospitality and tourism industry has seen an innovative trend that has taken customer experience to a whole new level. This trend is augmented reality (AR).

Augmented reality is a technology that overlays digital information onto the physical world, providing a unique and immersive experience for users. But is AR beneficial to the hospitality and tourism industry? Let’s explore.

The Benefits of Augmented Reality in Hospitality and Tourism

1. Enhanced Customer Experience

Augmented reality technology allows customers to have a more engaging and interactive experience with their environment. For example, hotels can use AR to provide virtual tours of their rooms or amenities, allowing customers to get a better sense of what they’re booking before they arrive. Restaurants can use AR to display menu items in 3D or provide interactive wine pairings.

2. Increased Sales

By providing customers with an immersive experience through AR, businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry can increase sales. For instance, airlines could use AR to show customers what it’s like flying first-class or in different types of planes, potentially upselling more expensive seats.

3. Improved Efficiency

AR technology can also improve efficiency in the hospitality and tourism industry. For example, hotels could use AR for room service orders, allowing customers to see exactly what they’re ordering before it arrives at their door.

Examples of Augmented Reality in Hospitality and Tourism

Here are some examples of how businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry are using augmented reality:

• Hilton Hotels: Hilton Hotels uses an app called Hilton Honors that allows guests to use their smartphones as room keys.
• Marriott Hotels: Marriott Hotels uses VR headsets in some locations to allow guests to explore different destinations before booking.
• Pokemon Go: While not directly related to the hospitality and tourism industry, Pokemon Go was a game that used AR technology and got people out exploring their cities.

Challenges of Augmented Reality in Hospitality and Tourism

While there are many benefits to using AR in the hospitality and tourism industry, there are also some challenges that businesses need to consider:

1. Cost

AR technology can be expensive to implement, especially for small businesses. The cost of creating an AR experience can vary depending on what type of content is being created.

2. Technology Limitations

AR technology is still relatively new, which means there are still some limitations to what it can do. For example, some devices may not be able to handle certain types of AR experiences.

3. User Adoption

Not all customers may be interested in using AR technology when they travel. Businesses need to weigh the potential benefits against the possibility that some customers may not want to use it.

Conclusion

Overall, augmented reality has the potential to revolutionize the hospitality and tourism industry by providing customers with a more engaging and interactive experience. However, businesses need to carefully consider the costs and limitations of implementing AR technology before diving in. If done right, augmented reality could provide a significant advantage over competitors in the industry.