Self-Service

Nokia partners with Lonely Planet to deliver mobile city guides for frequent travelers. Tourests can download city guides for over 100 destinations to their mobile devices.

As technology becomes a part of the average person's DNA, hotel and restaurant operators alike now have the ability to reach out to a whole new generation of guests. By embracing the much used and loved technology of a hyperconnected subculture, operators hope to drive their traffic to a whole new level.

Sheraton Hotels in five U.S. cities debut the Microsoft Surface, a virtual concierge and entertainment experience. Guests can search for local restaurants and attractions, download music and view the Sheraton photo library.

EzWaiter Systems' latest release of ezWaiter.com is a Web-based service for restaurants that lets their customers order carry out and delivery at any time of the day.

Zagat, through a partnership with OpenTable, now gives restaurant goers the ability to make real-time dining reservations at over 4,000 locations via a new mobile phone application.

Taco Bueno offers guests quick payment options with the recent acceptance of MasterCard's PayPass contact-less payment solution.

When searching for a solution that would provide their visually-impaired patrons with an answer to their menu reading troubles, the Lion and Rose Pub came across a new portable device that tells them exactly what is on the menu.

Despite the growing public interest in using self-service technology, hospitality operators remain slow to adopt the growing technology. In this annual study, Hospitality Technology surveyed leading hospitality operators as well as consumers, for their reasons and concerns for adopting this technology.