Christopher Demicoli at the Hotel Innovation Technology conference.

Hotel owners and operators are optimistic about what is in store for 2014 as they are noting a sense of stability and certainty in the industry. Consensus from industry analysts and observers is that revenue will again see positive growth in 2014.

“Successful hotel professionals understand, however, that a general optimistic forecast is no reason to let management standards slide, or to be any less vigilant about the practices that distinguish a well-run property from an underachieving asset. This could be precisely the time when hoteliers and hospitality operators should be redoubling their commitment to proven management techniques,” said Christopher Demicoli, Business Development Manager of Smart Technologies, in his address during the recent Hotel Innovation Technology conference held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Rome.

During the presentation, Mr Demicoli presented Otrum’s technology, of which Smart Technologies has exclusive dealership and representation in Italy and Malta.

“Modern travellers bring their own devices and content with them, and expect good connectivity to enjoy it at their hotels. Otrum accommodates these guests by providing information and entertainment on their terms, on their own devices, without any hotel app to download. Otrum allows this through its multi-platform smart solutions for the hospitality industry and is a leading supplier of guest internet, networks, interactive IPTV, digital signage, movies and TV channels across a wide network of hotels in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

“Information technology solutions such as easier and more efficient internet access, digital and TV services are constantly edging their way through the hospitality industry and proving themselves as a pivotal point in the overall experience offered to guests in their hotel rooms,” said Mr Demicoli.

The open event attracted all those operating in the hospitality business and discussed ways how they could better avail themselves of technology to improve their customer experience, optimise their operations for more efficiency, use technology to attract more business, and make technology their competitive advantage.