Top 5 technology trends in hospitality and reservations for 2023

20-12-22

Eviivo has released its Hospitality And Booking Tech Trends 2023 report, which outlines the key hospitality and booking technology trends to expect in the travel industry in 2023 and beyond.

"Each year, we analyse data internally to monitor the peaks and troughs and ebb and flow of bookings, survey both travellers and owners on travel-related trends, and create the technology that both travellers and owners are increasingly looking for," says Michele Fitzpatrick, CEO of eviivo.

While technological advances such as digital facial recognition and digital reception at properties are slated for later in the future, here's what travellers and hoteliers, property hosts and vacation rental managers can expect in the coming year.

1. Mobile apps will continue to drive growth and provide peace of mind.

In our world of instant gratification, mobile apps have made it easier for travellers to book on the go, and have become a standard. Revenue Hub indicated that mobile bookings doubled in just two years (9 out of 10 mobile bookings by 2022), and will continue to grow.

A survey conducted by eviivo in April 2022, involving 1,000 hosts, owners and boutique hoteliers specialising in short-term rentals and independent accommodation, found that 91% said a mobile booking and property management app is "extremely important" to managing their business.

2. APIs and omni-channel platforms will become the gold standard

While travellers may not be familiar with APIs (application programming interface), it is the Holy Grail technology that allows them to browse, book, filter and stay at a property effortlessly and flawlessly.

"APIs offer seamless integration - such as apps, payment systems, OTAs and extranets - that eliminates manual work, reconciliation issues and the constraints of technological advances," says Michele Fitzpatrick, CEO of eviivo. "APIs essentially integrate all the necessary technologies and tools, rather than owners and hoteliers bundling or outsourcing to other companies or platforms, which is exhausting and expensive. Companies that don't use APIs would be like retailers using retro cash registers.

For multi-property and multi-channel platforms, which include booking, advertising, communication and payment channels, APIs are fully integrated, and this native omni-channel and all-in-one platform integration allows accommodation providers to automate key repetitive workflows, simplify and ensure peace of mind for guests and staff.

3. Automating everything

Since Covid-19, "contactless" has become both a buzzword and a reality, and is unquestionably the new normal for 2023.

"Thousands of properties in our eviivo collection continue to add automated features and the accessibility travellers now expect," Eric White says. "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 proven to set a standard for guests and hosts alike."

Travellers 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 guests' preferences.

4. Virtual reality will become a virtual reality

As we indicated in our Top Travel Trends To Expect For 2023, virtual reality will take the crown when it comes to determining which places to visit. While most people say that virtual-only travel leaves a lot to be desired today, 46% admit they would be more likely to travel to new places after visiting them virtually, and with Metaverse introducing virtual and augmented reality, travellers will soon be spoilt for choice.

5. More powerful and independent websites

According to an eviivo survey conducted in August 2022, 29% of respondents prefer to book stays directly on the accommodation's website, while 19% prefer to book through an OTA (online travel agency). Since then, evivo has seen a gradual increase in more direct website bookings.

"Having their own functional and powerful website is becoming more and more common for hoteliers and owners, as they have much more freedom for artistic creation, image galleries, styling and, of course, they don't pay commissions to OTAs," says Michele Fitzpatrick.