Today’s corporate traveler is far different than he or she was even ten years ago. With the rise of a consumer-driven market, corporate travel services and hotels must keep up with what their customers want when they’re away from home. Hotels are shifting their focus to streaming video on demand (SVOD) solutions for their guests because, after all, that’s what they’d be doing at home. Travelers are seeking a more personalized, streamlined experience with more content options on their hotel TV beyond standard cable. Here’s how SVOD is impacting the corporate travelers’ experience.
A Streamlined Guest Experience
Just a few years ago, a guest could only watch a streaming service on a personal device. Now, hotels have enabled guests to stream their SVOD accounts through the hotel TV, through an app- or code-based connection. They can view content from countless apps and services without ever having to enter personal information. Upon departure, it automatically logs the user out, without worry of a security threat. The goal is to reduce tedious manual input, enabling a user-friendly experience that gets users to their content faster.
Major Players in Hotel SVOD
Are you a Netflix subscriber? Hulu? Pandora? Are you traveling soon? These hotels are allowing you to bring your streaming service to their TVs.
In June 2015, Marriott became the first hotel brand to try streaming in-room entertainment. The hotel group partnered with Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora to offer a wide range of content options for their guests. Soon after, other hotel brands started following suit.
Hyatt will implement a similar option through Sonifi’s Staycast powered by Google Chromecast. Staycast is password protected and integrates with the World of Hyatt app, giving the guest a completely connected experience. Starting worldwide with Park Hyatt and Hyatt Centric, the company eventually plans to expand globally to all other brands. Wingate by Wyndham also has a trial with Sonifi Solutions at one location outside of Chicago.
Say Goodbye to Boring Hotel Content
You know that dreaded, default hotel channel that pops up when you turn the hotel room TV on? Hotels are aiming to make their channels a little less dreadful. Wyndham’s Hawthorn Suites, for example, wants to do mini cooking demos along with eCookbooks for guests staying at the hotel. Another program by Wyndham offered a married couple one million hotel points to travel the entire coast of California while filming the entire journey. This concept not only offers entertainment, but also a sense of loyalty.
In January 2017, Marriott’s boutique hotel brand Autograph Collection launched “The Independent Film Initiative.” Casting 1,500 different titles, including films, documentaries, shorts, TV shows, and webisodes, guests have access to independent productions they might otherwise miss. Marriott wants to celebrate and support the creation and wider distribution of independent film.
Do you want the best guest experience the next time you’re planning a corporate trip? Since 1972, Teplis Travel Service has supported travelers around the world. We offer corporate travel solutions, plus we combine the guaranteed lowest fares with experienced agents and highly customized service platforms. Contact us today at 800-669-6547 to experience for yourself our standards of personalized service.
