Hotel Technology
Our favorite hotel chain has done it again. We have previously written blogs about Marriott bringing Netflix to hotel rooms and about their ‘text the front desk services’ (launched in 2015 and 2016). Both of which we love by the way. We also wrote about their virtual reality post cards which inspire Marriott guests to explore the world. (We have not tried on a head set and watched one ourselves). We use their mobile app check in and key pick-up every time. Now Marriott has just announced that they will be the first in the industry to launch facial recognition at check-in desks.
China First
There will be two test locations in China launched this month – the Marriott Hangzhou and the Marriott Sanya. According to the announcement guests scan their passport and enter in their contact details in advance. Facial recognition cameras verify that the person with the passport is the passport holder, and if all’s good, room keys are dispensed. The process hopes to shave down the average Marriott check-in time (currently about three minutes) to just 60 seconds.
Freddie Awards
At the same time that Marriott continues to strive to be on the leading edge of technology, they also continue to earn accolades, from guests, for their customer loyalty program. The ‘Freddies’ are the most prestigious member-generated awards in the travel loyalty industry. In 2018 Marriott took home the votes for Program of the Year, Best Elite Program, Best Customer Service and Best Redemption Value. As we have said before, we tend to agree!
Marriott continues to offer very good bonus points programs and we are excited to see what happens when SPG and Marriott Rewards become one program in August. We are also watching closely to see if Marriott’s launch of Portfolio Homes in London, England which is their step into competing with Air B’n’B will be launched in other cities. We hope so!
We, Jeff and Tara Ciecko of CK Golf write two blogs, one is our 19th Hole Blog where we share personal experiences and the other an Industry Blog where we comment on general business and internet marketing best practices, sales strategies and give golf industry related opinions. We have owned CK Golf for 9 years and provide marketing, social media and business services to the golf and other industries. As of August 2016 our life and our business will be ‘location independent’. Our 19th Hole Blog is about the places we visit and the things we do. If you have any questions or comments, or happen to be in the same location as us please reach out and contact us anytime.
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