13. March 2023

ITB Berlin -Key Takeaways

The ITB Berlin came back with a bang!

ITB Berlin

What an incredible experience it was to experience the buzzing halls, business meetings with partners and prospective partners from near and far, and gain new insights. The fair provided a fantastic opportunity to network with industry professionals and glimpse the latest trends and innovations in the hospitality sector. Here are our key takeaways from the event:

1. Staff Shortage: One of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry worldwide is the need for more skilled workers. With travel demand rising again, hotels and restaurants need help finding enough staff to meet the growing demand. Employers need to automate their processes and think outside the box to attract and retain employees, such as offering training programs, flexible work arrangements, and digital solutions that appeal to younger generations.

How can we help?

Housekeepers spend, on average, 15% of their time figuring out which room to clean next. By streamlining processes, hotels that use Sweeply to manage their tasks and deskless staff can cut approx. One day per week per employee!

2. Sustainability: The most crucial trend in the travel and hospitality industry is the focus on sustainability. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of travel on the environment, and hotels and restaurants are responding by adopting eco-friendly practices, which also benefit businesses and their revenue. From reducing laundry and reducing waste to using renewable energy sources, the industry is constantly making strides toward a more sustainable future.

How can we help? 

Research shows that over 50% of guests opt out of daily housekeeping when given the choice. 

Our new (COMING SOON) housekeeping feature called "Guest choice and control" helps guests feel in charge and allows them to create a more sustainable travel pattern, leading to a more positive guest experience. By reducing their amount of laundry, hotels can conserve resources, reduce carbon emissions, and minimize their environmental footprint.

3. AI in Hospitality: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also gaining traction in the hospitality industry. AI-powered systems can streamline hotel operations, improve guest experiences, and increase revenue. For example, chatbots can handle guest queries, and machine learning algorithms can predict demand and optimize pricing and staffing need. How can we help?

By creating rules in the Sweeply rule engine you can streamline your standard operating procedures, gather data and reports and thereby predict staffing needs. 

Overall, the ITB Berlin travel fair highlighted the importance of adapting to changing trends and consumer demands. The hospitality industry faces challenges but also opportunities for growth and innovation. Let's work together to create a more sustainable, technologically advanced, and employee-friendly industry.