Smartphones Are the Next Hotel Keys
It’s no secret that our mobile phones are now being incorporated into our everyday lives like never before. No longer just tools for calling and sending messages, cell phones can now be used for other transactions such as transferring funds or paying bills.
Studies are now currently under way that will possibly result in smart phones also serving as door keys to major hotels around the world. In fact, two branches of the Holiday Inn hotel are currently testing out the system wherein hotel guests gain access to their rooms through the simple use of their mobile phones. The RFID is the latest technology being used in hotel keys today. Mobile phones will likely use similar technology but experts say that replacing the cards with smart phones will definitely be much more convenient since almost every traveler bring their mobile phones along on their trips.
The two Holiday Inn hotels will run the smart phone experiment for roughly three months before proceeding to gather feedback. If the reviews prove to be positive then the other Holiday Inn branches will adopt the new system. If the system is implemented, about 20% of the hotel rooms will have smart phones for keys instead of cards.
