But since Dubai managed to open doors to travelers as a safe destination in a world still under covid’s shadow; retailers, hoteliers and restaurant owners are trying to attract business by restoring consumer confidence. In a move to make guests feel safer, the city’s TIME hospitality group has launched an app which takes services beyond online check-ins to include mobile room keys, contactless control of the room, remote reservations for restaurants and spas, as well as notifications for special offers.
The app has been developed by software services provider Neorcha, and lets visitors access a list of services offered by the hotel, allowing them to handle their surroundings while they avoid direct contact with the staff.
The TIME group is just one among several hospitality chains embracing a digital transition, like Six Senses resorts in Oman, which has rolled out its own set of tech-powered services. Guests get to book spas, chat with hotel staff, reserve tables and even schedule wake up calls through a smartphone app.
Technology in healthcare and public infrastructure had sped up the unlocking process for UAE’s economy, but tourism did suffer a massive setback even as the lockdown lasted for a few months. Now tech-savvy tools are the go-to solution for all sectors, and especially hotels in the gulf region, which are recovering from a $15 billion loss caused by the pandemic.
On ground measures like rigorous sanitisation were put in place from the moment restrictions were relaxed, but contactless payments and digital services are the new norm.
Even retailers are installing shopping kiosks and scan-to-pay services across malls to make consumers feel safe about shopping at brick and mortar stores instead of e-commerce sites.
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