Latin America. During peak occupancy periods, hotels' ability to transform operational pressure into a competitive advantage depends on connectivity, safety, and operational efficiency. This was stated by Sebastián Barrionuevo, vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean at Vingcard | ASSA ABLOY, who noted that these factors "directly impact RevPAR and guest loyalty."
According to data cited by Barrionuevo, "the vast majority (92%) of hotel industry leaders indicate that, currently, it is essential to implement new technological integrations for efficient management."
One of the most relevant challenges in high season is congestion during check-in. Contactless entry solutions, such as mobile key, allow guests to access their rooms with their devices, avoiding lines, physical cards, and long wait times. Among its benefits, Barrionuevo highlighted "speed and efficiency", "security and control" and "ease of integration" with existing systems.
Connectivity is also key for today's travelers, who demand constant access to the internet. According to the aforementioned study, "more than 90% of hotel managers say that it is of utmost importance that connectivity integrations are more accessible and seamless." Barrionuevo explained that having solutions designed for hotel environments and with the capacity to manage high traffic allows guaranteeing stability, data security and continuous operation of systems such as digital check-in or internal communication.
Another challenge is the control of energy and resource costs. Barrionuevo indicated that "the implementation of energy management systems that automate the control of climate, lighting and other consumption... it allows us to reduce electricity costs by up to 40% on average, without affecting the quality of service." In addition, the digitization of inventory helps to minimize waste and optimize replenishments.
According to Barrionuevo, hotels that adopt these tools early will be better prepared to face seasons of high demand and "establish solid foundations for the management of a new type of hospitality: the modern and of the future."
