Many hotels in the US are turning to innovative cloud-based solutions to help tackle post-COVID challenges ranging from staff shortages to changed customer expectations.
In a recently published American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) survey, 97 percent of hospitality sector respondents indicated they were suffering staff shortages, 49 percent characterizing them as ‘severe’. At the same time, the American Express Travel 2022 Global Travel Trends Report shows customers expect higher-level returns than simple relaxation.
Many hotels now offer wage incentives to help fill the more than 130,000 open positions, while the more innovative properties are going further by elevating and synthesizing technology systems to improve capacity, work processes, and decision-making for staff members while also empowering guests to create unique and personalized experiences.
One example is Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, which has deployed a next generation inventory and procurement automation solution. A blend of solutions from vendor Agilysys have automated functions including point-of-sale, property management, mobile reservations for rooms and activities, mobile check-in, mobile keys, secure document management for identification scanning, electronic signature capture, and electronic waiver archival, mobile housekeeping, maintenance and preventative services, and sales and catering for efficient conference and event management.
The Agilysys Hospitality Cloud Experience Enhancers collection of solutions deliver specific augmentations such as mobile capabilities, payment flexibility, or digital efficiencies, it said. Collectively the solutions automate and elevate guest and staff experiences across the property’s 168-room hotel; three-floor, 85,000-square-foot casino featuring slots, table games, a sportsbook, and poker tables; a conference and events center including a concert hall; several full-service and quick-serve restaurants; a fully equipped fitness center; and a racetrack that offers live horse racing and simulcast options from May through October each year.
Operating one of only two nonprofit casinos in the United States, Prairie Meadows’ unique business model leverages a nonprofit partnership with Polk County, Iowa to improve the community as well as the lives of its residents.
“Our positive experience working with Agilysys to streamline our inventory and procurement operations was a core factor in our decision to leverage a broader scope of Agilysys Hospitality Cloud solutions to elevate performance and experiences for both staff and guests across our property,” said Ann Atkin, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel. “It is more vital than ever to attract and retain staff while also delivering better, more personalized guest experiences. We appreciate the expertise Agilysys brings to the table. Their knowledge enables us to advance more efficiently without having to juggle different solution vendors, and yet be confident we have secured the most innovative technology advances given Agilysys’ 100 percent focus on hospitality.”
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