TORONTO - June 7, 2005 - Building on its rich history of technology
innovation, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today embarked on a plan to revolutionize
the guest registration process by announcing plans to install self-service
kiosks in its hotels in North America. Deployed to service the ever-evolving
expectations of business and leisure travelers alike, the brand�s latest
technology initiative will commence with an installation at Toronto�s Fairmont
Royal York. A rollout to outfit other Fairmont properties with the kiosks
will follow later in the year.
Aimed at offering both choice and transparency to its clientele, Fairmont�s
kiosks will include an innovative and original guestroom selection feature;
a first within the hotel industry. Based on the initial reservation
and pre-confirmed preferences, the guestroom selection feature, similar
to the seat selection functionality offered by airline kiosks, will enable
travelers to visually select a hotel room of their liking from a graphical
map.
�At Fairmont, we take great pride in our ability to deliver technological
innovation that improves the guest experience,� says Vineet Gupta, vice-president
of technology at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. �We were the first hotel
company to offer high-speed and wireless Internet access on a brand-wide
basis. Now we�re building on our core technology platform to provide
our guests with the most sophisticated self-service solution in our industry.�
As a luxury brand, committed to utilizing the most comprehensive and
innovative technology services available, Fairmont partnered with IBM,
one of the world�s foremost leaders in advanced technologies, to deliver
its tailored kiosk solution. The Fairmont Hotel Check-In solution is based
on IBM�s proven e-access Hotel Check-In Kiosk. IBM provided the kiosk hardware,
middleware software, application development service, as well as implementation
services and will also provide ongoing monitoring and management of Fairmont�s
kiosks.
Fairmont�s self-service kiosks enable guests to efficiently check-in
and out, personally select a room, receive their room key, and instantly
enroll in the brand�s guest loyalty program, Fairmont President�s Club.
Other advanced services and features of Fairmont�s self-service kiosk solution
include:
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The Wireless Guest Ambassador: Using a wireless-enabled computer
tablet, a roving and dedicated guest service agent will be close at hand
to assist guests through the self-service process. Linked directly to the
hotel�s property management system, the Wireless Guest Ambassador will
inform, educate, and add Fairmont�s renowned personal touch to the check-in
experience.
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Airline Check-In: In conjunction with Air Canada, hotel guests will
be able to use Fairmont�s hotel-based kiosks to electronically check-in
and obtain a boarding pass for any Air Canada flight, before departing
for the airport. Intended to maximize traveler convenience by reducing
the time spent in airport line-ups, Fairmont is planning to introduce this
kiosk capability in late 2005.
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Group Travel Features: As a component of Fairmont�s digital arrival,
meeting planners will have the ability to publish customized welcome messages
and up-to-the-minute meeting agendas for conference delegates and meeting
attendees. For added simplicity, the kiosk will be capable of printing
this itinerary information during the check-in process.
Jeff Senior, Fairmont�s senior vice president of sales & marketing
believes the new kiosks are another symbol of the brand�s promise of personalization.
�We�re fully committed to welcoming all of our guests in the manner which
they prefer, and are driven to developing processes and products that make
it easy for our customers to do business with us. By enhancing the
arrival experience in its entirety, we are completely reinventing this
process and putting control in the hands of our guests.� Senior also
sees the kiosks as an ideal solution for corporate travelers, which account
for approximately 50 percent of the brand�s business mix, �The new kiosks
are another industry first for Fairmont and will be of particular interest
to those who routinely travel and are looking to expedite the check-in
process�
Fairmont�s Technology Platform
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is the technology leader in the hospitality
industry with a history of industry-leading innovation. By unifying
its core applications and network infrastructure across the portfolio,
Fairmont has created a seamless communications platform capable of sharing
information and promoting consistent operations across its entire brand.
In addition to meeting customer demand for wireless connectivity and high-speed
Internet access, information and communications technology is helping improve
customer service, streamline operations and manage costs. Over the
next several years, Fairmont will introduce a series of guest-facing services
that will revolutionize the hotel experience for Fairmont guests.
About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Featuring a collection of fabled castles, secluded lodges, storied
meeting places and modern retreats, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts opens
the doors to some of the world's most celebrated addresses. With
locations throughout six countries, our 44 distinctive hotels - including
The Fairmont San Francisco, The Fairmont Banff Springs and London�s Savoy
- promise travelers unparalleled settings, rich experiences and lasting
memories. Future Fairmont Hotels & Resorts include The Fairmont
Mayakoba, Riviera Maya (fall 2005) The Fairmont Cairo and The Fairmont
Abu Dhabi Resort & Villas.
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