WiFi provider VAST Networks has partnered with UK-headquartered WiFi Solutions company MyAirangel, to provide a cloud-based WiFi platform and a suite of marketing tools to the South African hospitality industry.
MyAirangel is a cloud-based guest WiFi platform solution focused on key segments of the hospitality industry.
Through the partnership, the two companies say they will provide an easy-to-manage interface and reporting dashboard to boutique hotels and B&Bs across SA, where guests can login in to WiFi services via a branded portal, without having to complete login forms.
The solution also has a system where guests can connect all devices allowing them to stream content to the Smart TV or Chromecasts (The hotel home experience). The platform also offers a guest engagement facility whereby the hotel's services can be promoted to guests via menus that automatically appear in the guest's Internet browser.
Grant Marais, CEO of VAST Networks, says: "Working with MyAirangel ensures that we provide visitors with world-class WiFi services that match the amazing experiences SA has to offer and that tourists have come to expect and deserve.
"Tourists expect a premium WiFi experience that is easily accessible wherever they are. They want to be able to connect with friends and family to upload their moments and share their experiences. Business tourists want to be able to connect to their colleagues around the world, sharing information and communicating with one another. This is an important partnership for us as tourism is one of the key industry's driving the growth of the economy at the moment," explains Marais.
According to a report from Statistics SA, 3.5 million tourists passed through South African ports in August 2016 alone, representing a 14% increase on the previous year's figures. 90% of these tourists were here for leisure while 7.1% travelled for business.
Matt Smith, head of Marketing at MyAirangel, says: "VAST Networks understands our offering and already have the footprint to be our preferred partner. They are the market leader in offering WiFi services to the South Africa Market with strong exposure to the tourism sector. We look forward to working with them."
Describing the benefits of the WiFi platform, Smith adds hotel owners can now engage with their guests in a more meaningful way using the WiFi marketing tools.
"In addition, our solution can sit in the centre of the guest experience by integrating with other hospitality systems and by sharing the data collected from WiFi users. Hotels using VAST and MyAirangel are able to have WiFi experiences deployed that become new opportunities to interact with guests to gather data about their experience. Regular visitors can enjoy in-hotel rewards and suppliers, like restaurants, shops and other experiences, can also benefit by connecting directly with the guests," he points out.
Each guest, adds Smith, can set up their own private WiFi network, which follows them to any of the hotels where MyAirangel is installed, no matter where in the world they are.
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