Give Next-Gen Travelers the Tech They Want: 4 Craveable Solutions

I do not text message. It is not because I do not know how. I understand the concept but it would take me too long to compose a message. This is because I cannot use the text language that exists. I need to use capitalization for proper nouns, include proper sentence structure, and capitalize the letter "I." My daughter on the other hand thrives on text messaging. She could probably text a complete paragraph behind her back without making a mistake. This is the world she lives in. This is also the world of the next-generation (next-gen) traveler.

Next gen travelers have been described as being highly educated individuals with a desire to travel. They seek the latest trends in technology to take pictures and video, and will travel with multiple electronic devices, from iPods and iPhones to complete gaming systems like Xbox, Wii and Playstation. Today, hotel operators are spending millions of dollars in marketing and in-room technology to lure this specific group of travelers into their hotels.

Operators are creating a technologically advanced room environment that will let next-gen travelers use their devices to access hotels services, unlock guestroom doors, provide connectivity to the HDTV's in their rooms and create an environment that will be relaxing as well as productive. What follows are the top four in-room technologies that all next-gen travelers will love.

1. iPhone applicability: Runtriz is just one vendor that has created a product directly aimed at next-gen travelers. Its solution, Hotel Evolution, is a mobile touchscreen platform that allows hotel guests to utilize their iPhones to order room service, view hotel information, make reservations and schedule transportation. Everything is at their fingertips and the next-gen traveler is far to wired to browse through traditional hotel directories
2. Converged services: Last year, Fonekey, Inc. went live with their Fonekey Hospitality Suite, a solution that allows travelers to access a wide variety of hotel services through a device they are most comfortable with: their cell phone. Guests can remotely make a reservation, check-in, obtain room assignments, unlock the door, adjust the room temperature, operate the guestroom safe, mini-bar and television, access guest services and even check out.
3. Plug and play: When it comes to in-room entertainment, next-gen travelers are looking for more then just an HDTV in their rooms. What they want to have is the ability to connect laptops and gaming systems to large screen televisions to enhance the use of their devices. Hyatt Place is just one of a few hotel companies that are offering more then just a large flat panel HDTV. Its Plug Panels are connected to 42" HDTV's and come equipped with jacks to connect all of these devices for increased usability and enjoyment.
4. Radio revolution: Not very long ago the main piece of technology in the hotel room other then the TV was the clock radio (yes, the same device where the alarm would also go off at 2:00 in the morning for some reason). Today, the next-gen traveler would be insulted if this was the lone piece of musical entertainment in the room. The next-gen traveler wants to either plug their iPOD/MP3 player into a device that delivers a full rich sound or have a radio/CD player that delivers the same quality of sound. Bose Corporation is one vendor that has recognized the importance of the hospitality industry and next-gen traveler. Two of its product lines, Wave and 3.21 Entertainment systems, are fast becoming staples in hotel rooms.

In short, the next generation traveler is a demanding guest, not in the context of a guest who is never satisfied, but in the context that they have grown with technology and expect hotels to adapt to technology. They do not want to enter a hotel and have to fumble around with many gadgets to connect to the various technologies in the room but instead want to use what they are comfortable with. They expect that the technology they are presently carrying is going to work for them.

Robert Wahl, CHE, is currently an associate professor of hotel and lodging management at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. He has also worked as a technology manager for Westin Hotels and Resorts.