Editorial Team

📱 Thomas Moons, Area Managing Director for Spain and Portugal at Belmond Hotels, discusses the integration of technology in luxury hospitality, aiming for a balance between innovation and maintaining the personal touch for a unique guest experience. Key strategies include using AI to tailor guest preferences and automating routine tasks, allowing staff to focus on meaningful interactions, with a plan to integrate AI in concierge services by 2025. Belmond prioritizes sustainability through efficient systems and minimizes visible technology to preserve the traditional ambiance of properties like La Residencia, a Mallorca hotel. They manage reputation with AI that analyses feedback for actionable insights and limit outside access to maintain exclusivity for hotel guests. Belmond foresees technology redefining luxury through personalization and sustainability while maintaining human connections.

🏨 The Hanson Hotel, a four-star 200-room property in Europe, is considering investing in AI and Automation. AI and Automation can reduce labour costs by 20%, saving €90,000 annually, and energy consumption by 30%, saving €45,000 annually. Revenue loss from inefficient pricing could be reduced by €20,000 each year. Although initial costs of €140,000 exceed first-year savings by €20,000, subsequent annual savings are projected at €120,000. A budget of €15,000 is allocated for staff integration and training, with €10,000 annual maintenance. Guest experiences are enhanced with personalised rooms and fast responses, while staff focus on satisfaction rather than routine inquiries.