Vodacom Business has partnered with NightsBridge to unveil the Vodacom Hospitality Solution - a solution they believe will give smaller operators in the tourism and hospitality industry a competitive edge against their larger counterparts.
Speaking to ITWeb yesterday, Anthon Muller, executive head of managed enterprise mobility at Vodacom Business, said South African smaller players are struggling to access ICT resources to turn around their businesses.
Among the biggest challenges the operators like independent B&Bs, guesthouses and other accommodation properties face are lack of WiFi connectivity, exposure, as well as outdated booking procedures, he noted.
With the Vodacom Hospitality Solution, Muller explained, smaller operators will get exposure on a variety of travel Web sites and have access to a real-time booking facility and front-office booking software, which makes managing their business much simpler.
This, coupled with high-end information communication technology solutions, such as mobile broadband, fixed-line communications and a cloud hosting solution, will help smaller operators gain ground on their larger competitors, he added.
"Technologies have had a profound impact on the way we do business. This, along with the 'always-on', always connected mentality of customers means that businesses, large and small, are using technology to improve their competitive advantage," said Muller.
Through the Vodacom Hospitality Solution, Vodacom Business says small to medium-sized accommodation providers will be able to advertise on relevant Web sites, manage real-time bookings and offer guests WiFi via Vodacom Broadband Connect.
In addition, the solution includes access to Vodacom Business' cloud storage offering, connectivity, a virtual PABX, voice lines and mobile devices that can be rented out to international guests for the duration of their stay.
"Technology is key to business survival in today's digital age. It helps to streamline business operations and also provides value-added benefits to your guests," Muller says.
"While larger hotel groups have implemented solutions to meet their guests' demand for WiFi, for example, boutique hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts often haven't been able to offer this solution to their guests. As such, it can cause these companies to lose out on potential revenue as travellers seek out alternative accommodation."
WiFi connectivity has become a key differentiator in the hospitality industry, he says, adding according to a Forrester Research study, 90% of respondents highlighted WiFi as an amenity to attract potential guests.
This is supported by a study conducted by Hotels.com which found that guests would prefer to receive WiFi from their hotel rather than a complimentary breakfast or free parking, Muller points out.
"The travel industry is very important to the South African economy, with PwC finding that accommodation spend exceeded R17.3 billion in 2013 and projects that this will increase to over R28.7 billion in 2018," Muller notes.
"Independent B&Bs, guesthouses and other accommodation properties face the challenge of coming to the attention of corporate bookers, agents and tour operators," says Theresa Griessel-Emerick, MD of NightsBridge.
"They also have the struggle of updating their availability across a range of online accommodation booking sites."
Share
