The past several years have been a rollercoaster for the hotel industry. While travel demand surged from its pandemic lows, hoteliers in SA continually face challenges such as water shortages, loadshedding, supply chain issues, and the need to prioritize technology initiatives. Technology plays a pivotal role in streamlining hotel operations, solving staffing dilemmas, and enhancing the guest experience.
Since the worst of the pandemic, the emphasis has shifted towards contactless technologies, virtual experiences, and improved hygiene practices. Hotels have accelerated the adoption of mobile, contactless, and remote services to minimize physical contact and ensure guest safety. Technology is now integral in enhancing safety, improving operational efficiency, and attracting guests. Hotels are prioritizing solutions that enable contactless services and enhanced cleanliness, reflecting the shift in technology investment strategies to address concerns and ensure long-term resilience.
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At the height of the pandemic, health and safety measures and the incorporation of technology for touchless and mobile solutions were paramount to protect guests and staff. Recognizing the value of this technology, hotel leaders have embraced additional tech-driven solutions to personalize and improve the guest experience. The challenge of providing a seamless customer journey while navigating staffing shortages has led the industry to explore automation. Automating processes allows staff to offer more personalized service, and self-service options ensure that daily functions, such as check-in, proceed smoothly.
Sustainability is also climbing higher on the list of guest priorities. Nearly 60 percent of travellers want to support businesses that champion and practice sustainability. Hotels are responding by installing charging stations for electric vehicles, low-flow shower heads, and digital keys through smartphones, replacing paper printouts at check-in or checkout.
Well-designed apps have become central to managing the guest experience, acting as single hubs for interactive maps, hotel services, and event itineraries. These apps also facilitate communication with hotel staff, underscoring the importance of acquiring scalable, user-friendly, and cost-effective technology that interfaces seamlessly with property management systems. The rapid adoption of various technologies has the potential to overcomplicate management tasks, making integration with specific PMS systems crucial.
The Internet of Things (IoT) enhances the guest experience through seamless automation, such as smart lighting, temperature control, and voice-activated services. Mobile check-ins, digital keyless entry, and contactless payment systems have improved convenience and safety for guests, with more than 70 percent of travellers preferring self-service options to minimize contact.
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Since its establishment in 2019, BlackBrick has reshaped the apartment hotel scene across Africa, achieving remarkable growth and innovation. It has become the continent’s fastest-growing network of apartment hotels, with operational properties in key locations in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
BlackBrick stands out for its unwavering dedication to leveraging technology to elevate guest experiences and streamline operations. From high-speed WiFi and smart TVs in every room to the digital concierge, Agent X BlackBrick, guests enjoy seamless connectivity and service throughout their stay. Features like in-room digital safes, smart locks, and fully-equipped workspaces ensure convenience and efficiency at every turn.
Beyond guest rooms, BlackBrick’s tech-driven approach extends to meeting rooms with smart AV setups and private Zoom pods, catering to modern business travellers. The innovative “Smart Card” acts as an all-access membership card, providing seamless access across the BlackBrick network. Additionally, the BlackBrick app serves as a digital hub for guests, offering a smooth interface for bookings, exclusive offers, and community engagement.
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With the recent launch of its newest hotel in Bedfordview (May 2024) and existing properties in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Umhlanga, with Durban launching in 2025, BlackBrick is poised to expand its national footprint. With ambitions to grow to over 120 hotels globally, BlackBrick represents not only a local success story but also a burgeoning global brand born in South Africa.
BlackBrick is building a global network of culture-led apartment hotels, designed and operated to a consistent brand standard. By maximizing the human experience through technology and design, BlackBrick provides its members with a platform for their growth