Hotel technology won't provide ROI

Hoteliers must look at service provision rather than ROI when they are looking at new technology for their properties, said an IT expert, speaking ahead of the upcoming Hotel Technology Middle East event.

Emirates Palaces director of IT and AV Hakam Sourani — one of the conference speakers — commented: “I personally believe if you want to invest in technology, you shouldn’t put ROI between your eyes, and rather look at the exposure, service, benefit and your company image”.

The potential for ROI was hampered by the fact that technology continuously changes and upgrades, he said, making it hard for hotels to keep up or expect particular technological developments to provide sufficiently enticing returns.

“All new technologies which are worth investing in nowadays are over priced, making it very hard to generate a good ROI. Yes you can provide a good return on investment, if you invest in a new idea or concept, and spend wisely and carefully, and always make sure that you count for the disturbing fact of technology life cycle,” added Sourani.

The need to incorporate new technology in to hotels, and the potential pitfalls and benefits of hotel technology, will be discussed at the Hotel Technology Middle East conference, which will be held later this month.

Organised by IQPC, Hotel Technology Middle East will be held on September 19-21 at the Amwaj Rotana hotel at Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai.