High Speed Internet Access (HSIA): Mobile Broadband

Hotels that don’t provide broadband Internet find it increasingly difficult to attract business travellers.

Business travellers in the UK were asked what would make them pick one hotel over another.

• 43% say free broadband internet in bedrooms

• 38% say free wireless internet access throughout the hotel

Internet usage in hotels increased significantly last year.

• In 2005, 11% of business travellers used the wi-fi service in a hotel

• In 2006, that figure jumped significantly to 24%.

The 5 biggest technology trends for the hospitality industry:

1. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools will avoid the “20 questions” at check-in by storing guest preferences at the hotel chain level and making them available to individual properties

2. In-room systems that combine TV, movies, music, and much more

3. Locator bracelets that also incorporate a cashless payment system

4. Integrated back-office systems so the guest gets one bill with all transactions in a timely manner

5. Pro-active IT systems so that potential problems are fixed quickly

Read the full report from Hotel Tech Resource

A concern for a growing number of people is that they won’t have access to a good Internet connection when travelling, especially if they are away from the major cities.

Valerie Khoo blogs about “Bed, Breakfast and Broadband” in the Sydney Morning Herald.