The world gathered to commemorate World Tourism Day on 27 September, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value.

This year, the theme was Tourism and Sustainable Transformation, encouraging travellers to be mindful and purposeful with their travel practices. This means eco-friendly accommodations, reducing waste and respecting local customs. With that, it is essential that we question how stakeholders can contribute to ethical transformation. And more specifically, what role technology plays in building a sustainable and resilient tourism industry.

What is the world tourism outlook in 2025?  

In 2025, UN Tourism reported 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals. It is 99% of the 2019 benchmarks.

World Tourism Barometer

Travel and tourism made up 10% of the world’s economy in 2024, contributing to international and domestic spending and the job market.

World Tourism Barometer

In 2024, the sector supported 356.6 million jobs, accounting for 1 in 10 jobs.
Tourism Watch: June 2025 Edition, World Bank

The tourism industry can particularly benefit women and youth, with women accounting for 40% of its direct employment.

Tourism Watch: June 2025 Edition, World Bank

What is sustainable tourism?

This year’s theme is a clear indication of the growing need to rethink the sector in the context of global changes such as climate change, inequality, and digitalisation. To focus on sustainable tourism, then, is to combine many factors, from people-centric planning, education and skill development to responsible innovation:

• Environment, sustainability and governance (ESG)

• Investing in skills, including labour, technology training and socio-emotional awareness

• Inviting the contribution of youth, women and communities at risk

• Encouraging responsible use of natural resources  
• Technology-centric business models

Digitalisation and innovative business: where does technology step in?

Sustainable tourism is more than simply eco-conscious travel. It is also the responsibility of hospitality service providers, including hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, wellness businesses, technology vendors, and governing authorities. Here are the major ways in which technology drives sustainable tourism.

Smart resource planning

Smart solutions carefully monitor resource usage, from inventory tracking and streamlined procurement to smart material management, allowing better oversight for hospitality businesses. Think of IoT systems that can be integrated with your hotel ERP to track energy and water usage or inventory software that tracks food consumption. With access to real-time, accurate data, hotels can curb overconsumption, optimise purchase orders, and implement effective energy strategies, driving both cost savings and environmental benefits.

Data-driven capacity management

On a large scale, open data platforms like the European Data Portal offer access to public datasets that help destinations plan smarter and more inclusive tourism strategies. On micro levels, hospitality ERP provides the same kind of insights to properties, recording information on real-time occupancy and demand forecasting, which helps a business identify how guest behaviour impacts operations, the economy and the environment. Businesses can then plan crowd management procedures and implement targeted campaigns to promote tourism during off seasons, reducing overtourism that negatively impacts the environment.

Guest engagement and collaboration

Sustainability is a collaborative effort of all parties involved in the tourism sector. With the help of guest engagement technology, your hospitality brand can engage guests in sustainability initiatives, gathering real-time feedback on consumption and making them more aware of their environmental impact. Integrated loyalty programmes can be used to reward sustainable guest behaviour, further incentivising guest and traveller contribution to sustainability efforts.

Uplifting local economies

Using the right procurement and inventory solutions for vendor management will prioritise local suppliers, farmers, and artisans, uplifting local economies. When a business sources locally, it minimises their environmental impact by reducing transportation emissions and packaging waste, and has greater control over supply chain management. Partnerships with local tours, artists and events also create a sustainable way to attract better revenue into local destinations. It is a way to fuel local economies without placing undue strain on local resources.

Chain-level awareness and education

Lastly, there should be awareness building throughout the hospitality community, starting with your employees. Hospitality training that promotes sustainability empowers hotel staff to adopt eco-friendly practices into daily operations, instilling a culture of environmental responsibility and getting their active participation in brands’ ESG frameworks. When adopting digital solutions, adequate training is also a must, so employees can make optimal use of new resources. Training, awareness and knowledge-sharing make hospitality workers better prepared to  uphold sustainability goals and support guests to continue to do the same.

Empower your hotel operations and grow sustainably with IDS Next digital solutions. Request a demo today.

“Tourism is not just about visiting beautiful places…

It is about creating positive change, protecting our planet, and enriching lives.”, shared Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, ahead of the 7th World Tourism Conference that took place this year in Melaka, Malaysia.

It is a timely reminder to all of us that sustainable growth in tourism and hospitality means innovating with responsibility and adapting the right tools and techniques into current operations and procedures.

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Breakfast at Tiffany’s is more real than most of us realise.

Tiffany Blue Box Cafe, Sushi Park Paris by Saint Laurent and Dubai’s much anticipated Bulgari Lighthouse reveal a new era in luxury guest experiences. Hotels and fashion industries are welcoming back the phenomenon of physical experiences for brand building. This connection built through hospitality is reshaping service, brand awareness and, most importantly, how both fashion and hotel brands speak to their customers.

Brand building beyond the runway

Fashion for experience hospitality

It has become obvious, online and offline, luxury brands are no longer just selling clothes; just like hospitality businesses, they are selling an entire lifestyle. Fashion’s entry into hospitality aims to deepen customer connection and create a truly tangible brand “world,” that sells the ideal lifestyle for luxury clients.

1. Experience marketing

Within the ultra-online world, physical hospitality experiences have come across as a new ‘sight for the sore eyes’. Physical spaces, limited by space, time, and access, create a sense of exclusivity to be invited—the exact type of experience that luxury customers desire. These spaces provide “in-real-life” (IRL) activations, allowing fashion brands to engage consumers through taste, smell, touch, and sight. This move boosts a brand’s cultural capital, creating a deeper emotional connection with the audience that will translate into loyalty. Naturally, this partnership will also elevate the status of a hospitality outlet, associating it with exclusivity, sophistication, and a high-end lifestyle.

2. Expanded brand reach

Luxury brands are extending their reach by venturing into hospitality, transforming spaces into strategic outposts. Think of the Louis Vuitton Cafe at Doha’s Hamad International Airport. It is more than a mere F&B outlet, but a strategy that allows brands to establish relevance among high-net-worth individuals in luxury travel hubs. This tangible experience goes far beyond traditional advertising, giving guests a ‘taste’ of the luxury brand. The benefits go the other way as well. Guests coming exclusively to visit these outlets bring in a whole new clientele, adding value to the destinations.

3. Appealing to the changing consumers

The shift in consumer preferences, where affluent individuals increasingly prioritise experiences, is a key driver for luxury brands entering hospitality. In the last few years, the experiential luxury market has outpaced the growth of demand for personal luxury goods, says Bain and Company. This is an immense growth opportunity for both industries. Collaborations push brands to innovate in design, service delivery, and technology adoption, be it design aesthetics in architecture or mobile-first technologies for ultra luxury services. The hospitality industry’s global growth opportunities allow brands to capture demand in regions where luxury is highly sought after.

4. Diversifying revenue

By expanding into sectors like food, wellness, and travel, fashion brands effectively diversify their portfolios beyond their traditional reliance on clothing, jewelry, and accessories. This strategic move into hospitality provides new avenues for significant revenue generation for fashion brands and hotels alike, thereby protecting their overall earnings against potential economic fluctuations. Crucially, advanced technology catalysts this diversification, enabling the seamless centralisation of these revenue points. This integrated tech allows for the retrieval of comprehensive customer data, empowering brands to personalise offerings with unprecedented precision. The result? A more resilient business model that taps into multiple high-value consumer touchpoints.

A makeover for the hospitality industry

The luxury fashion market has always been about impressions. Joined with these brands, the hospitality industry is about to enter a more diversified market with integrated, immersive, and aspirational lifestyle experiences that leave the right impression on guests. The collision of the two industries resonates with the modern traveller’s desire for beauty, authenticity, and connection, converting the hospitality industry into a convergence of experiences.

Create seamless luxury for your guests and maximise your revenue with integrated technology. Book a demo today!

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Beyond mere leisure and relaxation, travel has long been a medium for learning and education. It is no surprise that educational tourism, a subset of travel that focuses on learning and knowledge acquisition, has seen a significant surge in popularity in recent times. The global educational tourism market is estimated to be valued at USD 470 Bn and predicted to reach USD 1,092 Bn by 2031.

What is educational tourism?

Examples of educational travel

1. Student exchange programmes: They allow high school/university students to spend a semester or year studying abroad and often include interacting with host families, ensuring firsthand cultural immersion. 

2. Pursuing higher studies abroad: In this popular form of academic travel, students enroll for degrees in foreign universities with better and more exciting opportunities to pursue their higher education.

3. Field trips or excursions: Field trips offer hands-on experiences that complement traditional classroom learning by providing opportunities to explore real-world environments and gain a deeper understanding of various subjects. 

4. Language immersion programmes: They immerse learners in a foreign language via formal classes and interactions with locals who speak the language. 

5. Cultural and historical tours: These guided tours by local experts provide valuable insights into a destination’s history and traditions. Examples include visiting museums or historical landmarks. 

6. Conferences, seminars, and workshops: These educational events are a great way for professionals to learn new skills, network with colleagues, and stay up to date in their field.

 The global edu-tourism market  

How can hospitality serve educational travellers?

To capitalise on the growing market for educational tourism, the hospitality industry needs to satisfy the unique requirements of this audience.

1. Diverse educational experiences

It is important to develop a variety of curated programmes tailored to different interests, such as cooking classes, language courses, or art workshops. Create themed packages around specific topics and collaborate with local subject experts to offer unique and authentic experiences.

2. Partnering with educational institutions

Another key practice is to partner with local educational institutions, offering discounted rates for students and faculty, developing joint educational programmes, and participating in student fairs and conferences. These partnerships can help to attract a steady stream of academic travellers.

3. Providing financial benefits

Education-focused travellers are often budget-conscious, and it is important to offer affordable accommodation options like budget hotels and hostels. Allow flexible payment options and group discounts while partnering with local businesses to offer discounts on food, transportation, or activities.

4. Personalised assistance

It is helpful to provide international students with the necessary resources to better adapt to their new culture. Hotels can create personalised itineraries based on their interests and learning styles while offering language assistance and dedicated concierge services to help with bookings and recommendations.

5. Technology utilisation

Hospitality venues can use smart solutions and apps to provide information, recommendations, and booking services while using virtual tours to give foreign travellers a preview of the destination. Offering virtual courses and workshops through online learning platforms is another good way of leveraging technology.

6. Engaging learning environments

Dedicated learning spaces where students can work together, and exchange ideas will attract education-focused travellers. It is vital to provide comfortable and relaxing accommodations that facilitate an inspiring learning experience. In addition to that, interactive exhibits and displays can also make learning more engaging.

7. Promoting local culture and heritage

Experiencing the local culture and traditions firsthand is often a secondary purpose of edu-tourism. Partner with local cultural events, such as festivals or performances and offer workshops on local crafts, traditions, or language. Additionally, encourage the travellers to interact with local communities to learn about their way of life.

8. Sustainability and cultural preservation

Last but not least, it is vital to ensure ethical and responsible tourism, implementing sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting local communities. Make sure to promote the local culture and heritage sustainably via educational programmes and activities.

Provide hassle-free guest journey for edu-travellers with smart check-in services. Start today!

There is always more to learn

Education-based travellers, with their unique set of needs and preferences distinct from traditional leisure travellers, have become a key audience for hospitality and tourism stakeholders to capitalise on. By understanding their needs and implementing targeted strategies, hospitality businesses can create a more enriching and memorable experience for these tourists, positioning themselves as leaders in this growing and competitive market segment.

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In an experience-driven economy, leisure businesses constantly seek ways to attract and retain customers. Amidst this, a captivating trend emerging within the industry is “competitive socialising” – gatherings centred around interactive games and activities. Mintel’s latest competitive socialising market report shows that participation in competitive socialising activities has increased by 13 percentage points between 2019 and 2023. The shift towards social entertainment with a playful edge offers a unique opportunity for pubs, clubs, and other leisure properties to elevate their offerings and boost their bottom line.

How competitive socialising is redefining leisure

The rising popularity of this trend can be attributed to several factors. There is a growing desire for interactive experiences beyond passive entertainment. People crave opportunities to connect, engage, and forge lasting memories with friends and family. Socialising for competitive purposes fosters a dynamic environment where laughter, friendly competition, and camaraderie take centre stage.

Additionally, the trend caters to a broader demographic than traditional pub fare or club nights. From millennials seeking unique experiences to retirees looking for social interaction, there is something to be offered for everyone. Whether it is a thrilling game of darts, a brain-teasing trivia night, or a strategic board game showdown, there is an activity that appeals to diverse interests and skill levels. It taps into the inherent human desire for friendly competition, injecting a dose of excitement into social gatherings and encouraging repeat visits.

Harnessing the power of competition 

How can leisure businesses such as pubs and clubs capitalise on this trend and win over the sport and game enthusiasts? Here are some key strategies to consider:

• Offer a variety of engaging activities: Catering to a wide range of demographics and interests through a diverse selection of games and activities helps businesses tap into new audiences. This could include classics like darts leagues, pool tournaments, and poker nights or themed game nights like board games, trivia, and video games. Regularly host tournaments and seasonal events around popular games to generate excitement and encourage participation.
• Create a dedicated space: Allocating specific areas for socialising within properties, such as a designated game room with dartboards, pool tables, and board games or a flexible event space, can transform regular leisure centres or parts of a restaurant into more competition spaces. Facilitate comfortable seating, proper lighting, and quality audio-visual equipment to enhance the overall guest experience.
• Develop a loyalty program or membership system: Implementing loyalty programs or tiered membership systems gives guests a sense of appreciation. For instance, exclusive discounts on game rentals or event participation fees can incentivise repeat visits, fostering a sense of community among regular clientele. Utilise a robust membership management system to facilitate online sign-ups, membership renewals, and more for a smooth guest experience.
• Leverage smart tech solutions: In this digital era, smart technology is vital to optimising the competitive socialising landscape, especially for younger generations. To attract them, businesses can implement online reservation systems, allowing guests to conveniently book game spaces or event tickets in advance. Additionally, a robust POS system can streamline the food and beverage ordering and payment process and give access to valuable guest data to optimise offerings.

Tech-powered socialising experiences

Leisure businesses can make the best of their competitive crowd by embracing smart technology solutions.

1. Enhanced guest experience: Technology can empower guests with a seamless socialising experience. Providing user-friendly online tools for reservations, membership management, and even food and beverage ordering lets guests plan visits effortlessly, place orders without waiting in line, and focus on enjoying the activities.

2. Centralisation for clarity: Implementing a central platform for event reservations ensures guests can find all the information they need in one place, eliminating confusion and streamlining bookings. It enables guests to easily reserve activity areas such as bowling lanes, VR experiences, or board game tables with a few clicks.

3. Data-driven decisions: Tech applications such as reservation systems, point-of-sale data, and membership tools provide valuable insights into customer behaviour. This data can be used to personalise promotions, optimise scheduling, and tailor offerings to the guests. For example, by analysing which days of the week are popular game nights, restaurants or bars can offer targeted discounts at the right time.

4. Automation for staff efficiency: Using automated systems to manage tedious and repetitive tasks ensures operational efficiency even with a smaller workforce. This boosts staff morale and satisfaction, freeing them up to focus on higher-value guest interactions, providing personalised recommendations, resolving customer issues, and ensuring a memorable experience for every guest.

Transform your leisure experience with cutting-edge smart ERP tech solutions. Get started today!

Dive into the game with confidence

Competitive socialising is a growing trend redefining the modern leisure experience. By offering engaging activities, dedicated spaces, and exciting events, leisure establishments can position themselves as exciting hubs for social entertainment. Leverage smart technology solutions to streamline operations, personalise the guest experience, and foster an eager community of enthusiasts. By embracing this trend and empowering it with the right tech, businesses can deal the winning hand in today’s competitive leisure market.

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The demographics of hospitality consumers are changing; millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are now a predominant audience. These new audiences bring new guest expectations, from digitalised experiences and convenience to social consciousness. While the hospitality industry is already experiencing a significant digital adaptation to improve guest experiences through digital solutions and software, there are still many more strategies that businesses can adopt to meet the new guest demands.

According to the co-founder of Puzzle Partner, Ivana Johnston, there is a demographic transition on demand, and it is crucial to understand how Gen Z can reshape the industry. Most millennials and Gen Z are tech-savvy, impacting technology investment decisions by hospitality businesses and, thereby, the industry’s future. The necessary transformations will enable enterprises not just to satisfy guests but also to profit in the long run.

What can hospitality offer new audiences?

1. Digital hospitality solutions
2. Mobile technology
3. Authenticity and sustainability
4. A positive online presence
5. Diverse and inclusive services

Digital-savvy generations look for more unique experiences with tailor-made services that meet their specific needs, be it experiences, dining preferences or brand values. The modifications and updates will help hospitality businesses maintain a competitive edge while adapting to the evolving expectations of the generations.

1. Digital hospitality solutions

Integrating digital solutions such as Hospitality ERP or Property Management Systems (PMS) helps businesses manage reservations, check-ins and check-outs, overall property operations, and even confirm efficient room turnovers. Guest engagement modules and reservation systems help hotels and resorts manage guest preferences and enhance satisfaction by managing loyalty programmes or data-driven insights. Streamlined operations and personalised services will ensure a seamless guest experience that meets modern expectations, directly influencing repeat visits. Digital solutions can be great tools for hospitality businesses which are primarily customer-centric as they help ensure customer longevity and attract new clients through increased productivity. 

2. Mobile technology

Digital-savvy guests expect operational effectiveness, swift services and convenient transactions. One of the most significant benefits of leveraging mobile technology in the hospitality industry is its ability to provide tech-savvy audiences their preference. Mobile apps can be utilised for addressing guest concerns, maintaining efficient room services or receiving real-time feedback. Accessible mobile platforms help businesses stay in touch with guest needs in real time, identify the areas that require improvements and anticipate demands to provide tailored experiences that foster loyalty. With the increased tendency of Gen Zer’s to use smaller and portable devices, facilities such as digital keys, mobile wallets, and mobile concierge are also becoming crucial. Tablets, and other smart technology equipment can streamline day-to-day operations by enhancing convenience and personalising communication. 

3. Authenticity and sustainability

Both millennials and Gen Zer’s have become conscious about eco-friendly initiatives and locally sourced, ethical consumption. Utilising technology to implement systems that reduce energy consumption, material management solutions that manage resources and reduce wastage, and other smart solutions will contribute to making operations more sustainable. Sustainability and authenticity are vital standards for modern businesses, particularly when winning conscious consumers who prefers informed purchases. Prioritising sustainable operations contributes to a socially responsible brand—a substantial strategy to survive the competitive edge. Additionally, eco-friendly initiatives cut operational costs while enhancing the industry’s long-term viability. It is win-win situation in which businesses meet the guest demand for sustainability while also staying ahead the competition.

4. A positive online presence

From customer engagement to brand visibility or even competitor analysis, social media has become one of the most reliable platforms for insights. Direct interaction with customers or influencer marketing supports identifying the trends and generating content accordingly. Efficient communication between guests and companies advances brand awareness, boost visibility and helps a business stand out in the digital world. Consistent branding and content marketing that utilises correct SEO and an engaging social media presence will help businesses adapt and stay relevant in the digital landscape. Connecting with guests digitally allows hospitality brands reach a wider audience, show potential guests what the brand can offer and build effective guest relationships prior to bookings or reservations. Creating a welcoming ambience digitally is the first step to refining the first impression with the guests and thereby, encouraging trust. 

5. Diverse and inclusive services

Today, promoting all-inclusive services with customised experiences is one important brand strategy, for any industry. The hospitality industry is constantly required to adopt strategies to meet diverse audiences, be it enhancing inclusivity within the workforce or understanding specific guest needs. Multilingual interfaces, cultural app customisations, or providing analytics and insights to the business may help. Businesses in the industry can integrate diverse hiring programs to employee resource groups to increase cultural competence between the staff thereby reinforcing inclusive facilities. Using booking systems that track guest dining preferences, reservation modules that can record room accessibility needs or data management apps that help businesses optimise their offerings based on recorded insights can help businesses further promote inclusivity within their properties.

Understanding the new guest is the way forward

Meeting the evolving needs of an audience who shows high technology consumption requires significant digital adaptation. However, the new way of hospitality experiences expected by new audiences also demand social and cultural sensitivity and conscious, result-driven efforts that optimise service delivery beyond one-size-fits all.

Disability accessibility in hospitality is one of its most essential needs. According to an article by Skift more than half of hotels around the world don’t make it easy to book a room for senior citizens or guests with accessibility needs. While this may not be true for all hospitality businesses across the globe, the industry stakeholders have a responsibility to create spaces that cater to the diverse needs of their guests.    

In today’s inclusive world, ensuring accessibility for all is not only a legal requirement but also a moral imperative.  But the concept of accessibility also impacts businesses from a strategic standpoint. Businesses that close their doors to people with disabilities are not only appearing unappealing to socially and culturally conscious guests but are also losing potential revenue from this particular audience segment. 

How to accommodate the different needs of guests?

Creating an inclusive environment is a multifaceted process and needs the restructuring of the architecture, tools and human resources involved. By focusing on the elements of architecture, technology and comprehensive employee training, hospitality establishments can take significant strides towards creating a truly inclusive environment.

These measures not only benefit guests with disabilities but also contribute to a more welcoming and enriching experience for all patrons.

Creating inclusive designs with accessible spaces

Inclusive designs refer to disrupting the traditional interior designs and the architecture of a space to make it more accommodating to people with different abilities. One prime example is the designs adopted by Hilton Hotels; Hilton properties provide roll-in showers and accessible tub/showers, lowered peepholes and grab bars at the toilet and shower to make bathroom spaces much easier to navigate for people with mobile impairments and using wheelchairs. Guest spaces can similarly be made more accessible with wider doorways, lower light switches, adjustable beds and proper turning radius for wheelchairs in restrooms.

More design elements that businesses can use are ramps, elevators and sloped entrances for wheelchair access, tactile paving or wayfinding systems for visually impaired guests. For instance, braille letters in elevator button panels help visually impaired guests to identify floor numbers without additional assistance. These solutions increase accessibility in personal as well as public hospitality spaces, making properties less discriminative.

Adopting technology as an accessibility bridge

Wyndham Hotels’ Hearing-Impaired Alarm System is the perfect example of hospitality establishments utilising technology to bridge accessibility gaps. Hospitality establishments have experimented with smart facilities such as voice-activated or touchpad-controlled systems to adjust lighting, temperature and other comforts. These facilities are not just a sign of luxury but a way of accommodating a wider range of accessibility challenges. To make sure customer special requests and needs are met, customer-facing ordering solutions, guest engagement apps and housekeeping modules are ideal—these are especially important to enhance staff responsivity speed and attend to guest needs.

Developing user-friendly apps that provide information on accessible facilities, real-time language translation and mobile-enabled check-in options also enhance the guest experience and caters to the different needs of each guest. Hospitality establishments also have the chance to understand guests’ needs, restrictions and preferences using their comprehensive ERP systems, thereby understanding dietary requirements, special room amenities such as headphones for auditory impairments and other data that help them customise their offerings and add a personalised touch to the service.

Employee training and awareness

Well-trained staff play a crucial role in ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment. It is essential that hospitality employees are educated on various types of disabilities, including invisible disabilities (psychological and cognitive differences, for example), so they are aware of how to aid sensitively and effectively. Empathetic communication on the other hand helps hospitality spaces stronger with employees who connect with guests respectfully and compassionately, paying attention to individual needs, challenges and preferences. Ongoing training can also promote understanding and respect for guests from different cultural backgrounds and those with disabilities. Hospitality employees also need adequate training to assist guests with disabilities in an emergency, including evacuation procedures and the proper use of evacuation aids.

As properties adopt more and more technology to enhance their inclusivity and diversity awareness, it is also essential that employees are on top of these new tools and strategies. Robust training on operating smart systems, responding to requests lodged via guest service modules and managing other devices is essential in ensuring that service delivery happens smoothly. These training strategies make hospitality spaces more accepting of diversity, making guests of all backgrounds feel safe and welcome.

“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential” ― Debra Ruh

Accessible hospitality refers to experiences that everyone can enjoy, no matter their degree of ability. This means spaces designed to accommodate individuals with reduced mobility or people with any kind of disability that create a holistic culture of acceptance and inclusivity in the industry.

It is also another element that makes the industry nail its sustainable goals, which goes beyond just protecting the environment but also bringing positive social, economic, and cultural impact. Embracing innovation, disrupting restrictive architecture, and investing in proper employee training allow hospitality businesses to thrive, entice more guests, and tap into unknown revenue potential.

Located in the Southwest of the Kenyan border is one of Africa’s most famous and essential wilderness areas, the Masai Mara. It is renowned for hosting a large fauna diversity, including the Great Migration, which secured it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and one of the Ten Wonders of the World. The world may know Masai Mara as the home to the lions of ‘Big Cat Diary’, the mighty Masai warriors and the destination to some of the most luxurious safari lodges.

The reserve is named in honour of the Masai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who are also known among the tourists as the ones protecting the travellers and the lodges against the untamed beasts of the wilderness.

What attracts the tourists to this remote wonder is the uniqueness of the reserve, the fact that it is one of the rarest ecosystems on earth that remains unspoilt, with even the lodges and camps built to bring the rough and rugged ambience of the savannah landscape. The reserve is perfect for tourists who love a break from city life and experiencing complete digital cleansing with a true escape from modern life as we know it.

But in a world heavily reliant on technology, this raises the question, is digitalisation completely unviable in the heart of the savannah?

Technology in the savannah: Compatible or not?

Using hospitality technology in wilderness lodges can significantly enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. However, before technology implementation, it is crucial to consider the following factors.

Identifying the needs of the lodges

It is essential to assess the property’s specific requirements, including the guest demand, operational challenges and areas where technology can add value. Understanding the lodge’s size, budget, infrastructure, and other operational needs to find a technology solution that aligns with them is essential. User-friendly systems that can manage reservations, operations and facilitate seamless employee communication should be prioritised.

Finding the right solutions for the Savannah

Implementing a navigable Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution can help oversee all operations. Selecting the right solution ensures smooth workflows and uninterrupted operations.

• An on-premises enterprise resource planning system can centralise information, manage reservations, room availability and other front and back-end operations without the need of the cloud. Considering solutions that can handle payments in different types of currencies is a plus.
• In regions like the Masai Mara, on-premises inventory control and supply chain planning assist in managing supplies sourced from outside the Savannah.
• For those not looking for an ERP solution, Property Management Systems (PMS), Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, guest service applications and other management modules could be considered.
• Integrated solutions ensure smooth flow of data between multiple departments, ensuring accuracy and consistency of operations.

Facilities with minimal disruptions

Choosing technology that requires minimal infrastructure is another step in building harmony between technology and the environment.

• Opting for solar-powered initiatives wherever possible to reduce energy consumption and wastage.
• Incorporating design elements that blend with the surroundings, such as natural materials and earthy colours.
• Preparing all stakeholders—the employees of the lodges, guests and the local community—through awareness and education for seamless technology installations, operations, and maintenance.

Responsibly forward: environmental, social and governance

Sustainable adoption of technology is a must when protecting the untouched treasures of the world. All stakeholders must move forward in sync with the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals of operations so that even the most innovative solution will have a minimal environmental impact.

Assessing the environmental impact

Companies, brands and suppliers need to consider the environmental impact of technology when integrating new-age gadgets into an ecosystem. Energy-efficient devices and solutions such as solar powered operations, low-energy appliances and smart power management systems are better options in areas such as the Masai Mara where electricity is not always available.

Establishing social standards

Being sensitive to the local community is essential. Choosing suppliers that value and respect the local culture and ways is essential in establishing the right partners.

Effective and transparent governance

Sustainability efforts need to be transparent. Through partnerships with local communities, hospitality suppliers and brands can create opportunities for skill development, job creation, and cultural preservation. Technology-driven initiatives nurture both environmental conservation and the growth of nearby communities.

Finding the balance

Even in the heart of wilderness, harmonising technology with nature is achievable through collaboration among all stakeholders—hoteliers, guests, employees, local communities, and industry experts. The goal is to evaluate technology’s effectiveness and its impact on a nature reserve.
Hospitality technology integration should aim to preserve the originality of a destination for tomorrow, foster understanding and establish a harmonious coexistence with nature.

Travel and tourism are becoming two of the most loved hobbies of the new generations. The love for diverse cultures and experiences and the need to escape the monotony of the 9 to 5 hustle drives this passion. In fact, 78% of millennials choose to spend money on an experience over products. Tourists are also becoming more intelligent, using online resources to find the best price-quality ratio for hospitality services.

Businesses that do not stand out from the competition will likely fall through the cracks in this Experience Economy. Learning how to provide the most memorable experiences for guests is vital.

What is gamification in business?

Gamification is considered a novel and out-of-the-box way of staging and designing experiences that make a lasting impression. However, the contemporary idea of gamification goes beyond traditional loyalty programs or customer competitions.

Gamification in Hospitality Business

Enterprise gamification integrates game elements and psychological functions into their strategies.

Over the last 5 years, the value of the global gamification market witnessed an exponential growth of $7.03 billion. (Source: Gitnux)

Gamification combines multiple core elements and creates a comprehensive strategy that speaks to the emotions of the audiences.

What Makes Gamification a Successful Strategy in Hospitality

What are the benefits of gamification in hospitality?

1. Keep visitors engaged

Gamified travel and tourism facilitate travellers to constantly engage with a brand using minimal resources such as mobile phones or computers. This leads to travellers who are hesitant to make a reservation or have not interacted with a brand for a while to be curious and participate.

2. Encourage more purchases

Gamification is also a great way to allow visitors and potential visitors to get a ‘taste’ of the destination before the visit. A game or a virtual setting that mimics the real destination (created using Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality or metaverse technologies) shows visitors exactly what to expect and encourages more bookings.

3. Increased loyalty

Truly satisfactory experiences are more likely to invite repeat stays and reservations. For instance, the interactive and educational games build a brand’s credibility in multiple audience segments, from students to leisure and even business travellers.

4. Improved marketing

Gamifying reward programs increase customer loyalty via better engagement and make their overall stay pleasant. Incorporating digital tools, utilising social media, gamified websites, and virtual environments encourage more site traffic and offline reputation.

How can hospitality adopt gamification?

Contemporary hospitality businesses are using gamification in multiple stages of a guest’s journey with the brand.

1. Website gamification before the booking stage

Gamification before the booking stage must align with the right audience at the right time. This was done perfectly by the Lopesan Hotel Group, who launched a Halloween-themed game during the season on their website. By leveraging the high website traffic brought by Halloween, the hotel aimed to target new and potential guests and win their loyalty.

Another example is Wyndham Hotels and Resorts deploying an interactive mobile app, adding gamification as incentives for guests. This enabled the hotel to stay connected with guests and build effective communication even prior to booking.

Gamification at this stage encourages audiences to engage with the brand and helps brands get more website traffic, build their email lists, and build extensive customer databases.

2. Booking stage games

Most hotels and resorts are looking for better ways to increase their direct bookings, and gamification is one of the best ways to do that. Inviting potential guests to play a game during the booking process can entice guests to stay engaged with the brand and look out for a grand prize. Hotels can offer the winners either a discounted stay in one of their rooms or a special vacation package.

Those who do not win but still participate can also be given simple prizes such as a free meal, discounted tours or a room upgrade. The idea of winning a prize attracts more people into booking a hotel and, as a result, builds more positive experiences with the brand.

3. Gamification during the check-in

High waiting time is one of the most challenging parts of a guest’s experience. While most accommodation centres have innovative solutions to minimise these—such as mobile or contactless solutions—high foot traffic is sometimes unavoidable.

Gamification can also make a hotel’s check-in process exciting. It offers guests a chance to take part in an online game as they wait for prizes, including discounts or special amenities during the same or future stays. Hotels can leverage mobile technology and invite guests to join a game by signing up to a site, the hotel app or even a QR code. Additionally, hotels can also position kiosks for gamers.

Gamification during the check-in stage adds a socialising element to a guest’s time at the hotel. Certain hotels are even known to include leaderboards with names of guests with the highest scores, which adds a sense of anticipation, spice and competitiveness. These online games are a quick and easy way to create a good first impression and make the check-in process less tiring.

4. Gamification of messaging

A hospitality brand can maintain communication with guests even after their stay with messaging and marketing efforts. Yet, the gamification of this can make a brand’s messaging strategy more exciting and engaging for the audience.

Gamified messaging is particularly useful to entice abandoned guests, but its value also extends to retaining guests interested in the brand. For instance, an email can include an interactive experience with an embedded game to bring engagement from guests who haven’t visited a restaurant in a while. Similarly, a simple SMS can be sent to a former guest with a link to participate in the latest raffle drawn by a café.

Modern hospitality businesses have a myriad of ways to collect guest data. POS solutions, Property Management Systems and even online ordering modules can collect not just the demographics of guests but also their preferred products and services. So, why not convert and use that raw data to design the types of games a guest prefers?

Gamification helps hospitality upgrade its entertainment values

Entertainment value is almost a key performance indicator (KPI) that defines the quality of a hospitality brand. With modern companies having the privilege of data accessibility and digital resources, gamification stands as the next big step for guest interaction and service.

After all, in hospitality, keeping the guests engaged with a next-level service is the secret to business growth and sustainability.

As more women become financially independent, they are daring more to explore their freedom by wandering into their favourite destinations and going on more business ventures—by themselves and with female friends. Women comprise a significant population in the travel industry, representing 56% of worldwide leisure travellers by the end of 2022.

However, due to certain sociocultural norms and practices, female travel groups or solo women travellers may still have certain gender restraints that raise concerns about their safety, needs and preferences. Hotels need to be prepared to accommodate those needs to provide their women audiences with the most comfortable guest experience.    

Building trust with women via multiple services targeted towards them offers opportunities to connect with them at a deeper level and build their confidence in the brands. This will lead to more positive experiences that improve the brand impression for hospitality and related businesses, as more women would refer safe brands for future bookings, even for family, couple or group events and trips.    

How can hotels accommodate women travellers?  

As the world prepares to use innovation and technology for gender equality, hospitality venues too can join this endeavour; using latest solutions to understand and accommodate the needs of the women in their audiences. 

1. Increase the on-premise security

Ensuring women’s safety is vital in the hospitality business, particularly when they travel alone.  

A functional front desk that takes care of all administrative and security concerns can reinforce safety within the premises. This facilitates woman travellers who face security risks to reach out to the hotel front desk when necessary.  

A cloud-based front desk management system can improve a hotel’s responsivity to guest inquiries and provide 24/7 availability.  To further tighten on-property security, hotels can optimise their guest services to be mobile friendly. Women travellers are far more likely to trust venues where they can immediately reach out to the necessary hotel authorities in times of danger with just a click on their mobile phones. Mobile-optimised operations also improve the accessibility to safety resources within premises, even in the most remote locations.    

2. Create a connected suite of services 

For a woman on travel, security concerns may not end at the hotel itself. Instead, they would also prefer safety when they explore cities, visit landmarks and socialise with local communities. While a hotel cannot wholly control how safe the experience will be once their guests step outside the premises, having the right resources can help improve a woman’s travel experience as they explore the local area.  

A comprehensive app or a website where women travellers can easily access information is a great way to help them be informed. Such platforms can include e-books, online travel guide that detail how safe a city and its landmarks are, tools that enable them to make hotel bookings, reserve tables faster or even order food to a preferred location.  

Another great example is providing late-night pickup and drop services. It is always proactive to assume that guests can check in and check out during night-time due to various needs, and for a woman traveller, finding a safe mode of transport can be a challenge. Hotels can record pickup and drop preferences using their reservation management modules and partner with safe transport service providers or even use in-house transport teams to accommodate safe travels.     

Having a centrally managed suite of services that can record women travellers’ needs and preferences and provide valuable insights to women travellers can help them be smarter and safer about their choices.    

3. Provide facilities designed for women  

It’s vital to understand that guest preferences differ with age, race or even gender. To accommodate women travellers, women-centred room amenities are considered to be essential. Hoteliers must now focus beyond the average cosmetic and skin care products by including other necessary items ranging from sanitary napkins, concave or convex mirrors in bathrooms to hair ties, sewing kits or women’s athletic gear. 

These products can be made available on demand through hotel service applications like guest engagement or ordering modules. For instance, the best way to ensure women travellers have all they need during their stay is by enabling them to make a mobile-device-based request using guest management systems.  Hotels like Som Dona and ITC Maurya Sheraton are also contemplating the concept of ‘single women rooms’; special rooms designed with security and social needs of women. These rooms are often located near to elevators or even have video-door phones which allows the guest to see who has come to visit her when the doorbell rings. 

A central guest profile management system can empower the hotel to prepare these services even better. Having the needs of their women guests, from cosmetic and hygienic products to room preferences, recorded on a centralised database can help hoteliers be prepared with all necessities, including in-room amenities to personalised leisure and wellness services.     

4. Have specialised staff to assist women 

In the presence of female staff, female travellers can feel more secure or comfortable when requesting assistance with certain needs. Modern hoteliers are now allocating their existing female staff for specific tasks and request management when dealing with solo women travellers.    

For instance, a hotel with a comprehensive staff, housekeeping and service management systems can enable the supervisors to allocate responsibilities to their female staff by viewing their schedules and increase responsivity to guest requests. Should a woman guest require the assistance of a staff member, hotels can easily view which of their female staff is available and assign them to the scheduled task.     

Additionally, diversity and inclusivity training for staff can encourage building a positive experience for female guests. Online and easily accessible resources on non-discrimination policies, gender and sexuality education as well as guest rights and safety practices can also prepare them to accommodate women travellers and make them feel safe and at ease.     

Smart hotels can empower women to live dream vacations       

Modern women love their independence and would like to explore the freedom to the fullest. Going forward, it’s essential that hotels expect more women travellers, as much as the number of men in their guest lists.   

In the case of women travellers, hoteliers have to be more attentive to offer a better plan and facilitate appealing offers to women travellers; a strategy that understands the gender and sex-based social and personal needs, which means women too have equal opportunity to live their dream vacations.   

As the traveller population is becoming increasingly diversified, hoteliers are compelled to cater a personalised experience to each group of travellers. The modern-day demands of hospitality are now making hoteliers perceive that luxury and comfort mean different things to different demographics.