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Stay on Top of These 6 Metaverse Hotel Industry Trends

The ever-expanding metaverse has much to offer for hotels and resorts eager to get in on the latest trends to reach potential and loyal guests.

Hotels must be ready to adapt to changing technologies in the evolving metaverse — technologies that offer virtual “worlds” and augmented realities that mix aspects of digital and physical realities — to remain relevant in the hospitality market, according to hospitality software provider Mews.

“Beyond the social aspect of this newly conceived digital world, the metaverse represents a lot of potential for businesses, helping to overcome physical boundaries, while creating a space for enjoyment, meaningful interactions and brand awareness,” says Mews.

The metaverse can play many roles in hospitality, including allowing hotels to create a metaverse “hotel,” according to Mews: “Think of it as a virtual chain. You can have your physical location and your virtual location, and both should provide equally memorable experiences.”

Curious about ways that your hotel or resort can explore the metaverse to offer a better guest experience? Check out these six hospitality metaverse opportunities.

1. Artificial intelligence

In simple terms, artificial intelligence (AI) is computer programming that simulates  human intelligence, including decision-making, in computers and other machines.

“Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is used in the metaverse to understand words, images, video and text, and understand how to respond to these stimuli while overcoming language barriers. Many of the 3D images, animation, speech and artwork are generated by AI,” according to Mews.

“In the hospitality metaverse, AI can improve customer service, data analysis and other technology offerings at your hotel,” according to Mews.

2. Virtual hotel experiences

Hotels can use the metaverse to create “virtual hotel experiences,” says Mews. These virtual experiences can include users to reserve your hotel’s restaurant, tour the property, explore amenities and nearby tourist attractions and attend meetings and conventions.

“This provides a new target group for which to consider creating customized experiences to turn virtual clients into real-life paying clients,” says Mews.

3. New sales and marketing channels

“[The metaverse] unlocks a new marketing channel with the possibility to reach a larger audience without having to invest money, only resources,” according to Mews.

The new technology can allow your hotel to engage potential guests that may have been difficult to reach with traditional marketing methods. For example, sales reDive into the future of the hotel industry in the metaverse. Discover the latest trends shaping the virtual hotel landscape&gain a competitive edge. Read more!ps can use the metaverse to connect with potential guests.

4. Upselling

Hotels can also use the metaverse to upsell, boosting revenue, according to Mews:

“The metaverse is a great mechanism through which hoteliers can invite guests to visit different upgraded room options, explore different possible experiences, see different product and service offerings, and even get a sample of the hotel’s restaurant menu, all of which are great for driving ancillary revenue.”

5. Meetings and events

The metaverse can allow people who can’t travel to conventions, meetings and other events to attend virtually. This also allows conference and event planners to offer “parallel events” such as networking gatherings, guided tours, seminars and more, according to Mews:

“These offerings can be complementary to the real-world offering and used to generate additional revenue. For example, you can offer VIP events, gatherings, tours or sell tickets to other virtual events that run in parallel and provide the opportunity to maximize revenue potential from events and meetings.”

6. New loyalty program opportunities

Your hotel presence in the metaverse can also include offering a new type of loyalty program with events and challenges that offer exclusive deals, rewards and promotions. “This is a great way to give new benefits to loyalty program members while at the same time encouraging non-members to sign-up for the program,” says Mews.

“In order to be successful in this new paradigm, hoteliers must be strategic, setting aside a marketing budget destined for this tool and identifying the revenue objectives that you would like to accomplish,” says Mews. “Implemented correctly, this channel can unlock endless possibilities, allowing you to be a step ahead of the competition.”