Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 24 October, 2016 2:53 pm |

Smart technology is redefining the way hotels in Saudi Arabia can enable customized, one-of-a-kind experiences for their guests who expect to connect to everything all the time wherever they are.

 

Today, more than ever before, global travellers tend to rely on mobile technology to create their own unique experiences inspired by local surroundings, while at the same time stay connected with people and places around the corner, and half way around the world. Whether it's finding out the best places to taste traditional food or checking-in while in-transit from the airport, travellers can access a variety of features, all from the palms of their hands.

 

“The majority of travellers come to Makkah to perform Umrah and Hajj, and mostly their time is at a premium. If they have one hour left to explore the city, they want to know where to go and what to see in an easy-to-access, convenient way. Concierge apps can help hoteliers create many ways that can turn their guests’ experiences into one-of-a-kind, memorable stays,” said Ismail Sirry, general manager of Conrad Makkah Jabal Omar.

 

“The Conrad Concierge App, for example, can assist guests in planning a variety of local activities into inspired experiences in art, shopping, adventure, and gastronomy, where guests can discover local culture from an insider’s perspective. We want our guests to make the most of their trips,” Sirry continues.

 

GCC travellers, who make up the majority of guests at Saudi hotels, are also tech-savvy travellers. According to the GSMA Mobile Economy: Arab States 2015 report, the Middle East is experiencing some of the highest growth in mobile adoption of any region globally, with 3G and 4G connections rising from 20 million in 2009 to 182 million in 2015. This growth is expected to continue with mobile broadband estimated to represent 69 per cent of all mobile connections in the region by 2020.

 

“The GCC region is one of the top regions in the world for mobile application use. It has become part of the daily life of people, and our guests depend on many forms of technology to measure hotel services,” Sirry added.

 

Conrad Makkah is also part of Hilton HHonors®, the only guest loyalty program where guests who book directly through the hotel’s website, award-winning Hilton HHonors mobile app or reservation call centers can have access to benefits including exclusive discounts, HHonors Points and free Wi-Fi.

 

The popular HHonors app also allows members to skip the front-desk check-in and head straight to their room, and then to seamlessly use the smartphone app as their door key in some locations. In addition, members - who already have access to the lowest price with HHonors® Best Price Guarantee - can further customize their stay via the app by requesting amenities like extra pillows, snacks or drinks.

 

The Hilton HHonors loyalty program is open to all guests and free to join - visit here for enrollment information.