Trends that shaping the hospitality industry beyond the year 2024

The hospitality industry is on the brink of a technological renaissance, driven by rapid advancements and the relentless pursuit of enhanced guest experiences. As we move beyond 2024, the integration of innovative technologies is transforming every facet of hospitality, from operations and management to guest services and engagement. Hotels and resorts are increasingly leveraging cutting-edge solutions to streamline processes, personalize experiences, and ensure sustainability. The post-pandemic landscape has accelerated the adoption of digital tools, making technology a cornerstone of the industry's evolution. This shift is not just about staying relevant but thriving in a competitive market where customer expectations are higher than ever. In this dynamic environment, understanding and embracing the latest tech trends is crucial for hospitality businesses aiming to lead the way in providing exceptional, future-proof services.

Sanjay Ghare, Founder & CEO, Vervotech

The hospitality industry is transforming significantly, driven by technology trends that will continue beyond 2024.  Airlines are now consistently investing in digital ID pools. The intent to experiment is at an all-time high. Some carriers are exploring facial recognition for boarding, while others are trialing digital ID wallets.

Here are some interesting examples I have witnessed that can potentially have mass adoption:

Biometric boarding: Facial recognition and fingerprint scanning are being piloted for a smoother and faster boarding experience. This could eliminate the need for physical boarding passes in the future. Predictive maintenance: Airlines are also using sensors and data analytics to monitor aircraft health and predict potential maintenance issues. This proactive approach can prevent delays and ensure safer flights.Robotic baggage handling: Airports are increasingly deploying robotic systems to automate baggage handling, which can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of lost luggage. Widespread adoption may still be a bit far, but we'll witness these technologies at work in the coming years!

Manoj Nandakumar, Head of Bars, Byg Ventures

Byg Brewski Brewing Company is at the forefront of transformative trends shaping the hospitality industry beyond 2024. Embracing sustainability, the brewery focuses on eco-friendly practices such as locally sourced ingredients and waste reduction to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. The revival of classic cocktails, with modern twists on vintage recipes, aligns with the trend of blending tradition with innovation, offering nostalgic yet novel experiences for patrons. Byg Brewski's innovative approach includes experimental flavors and bold brewing techniques, catering to adventurous drinkers seeking unique tastes. Collaborations with local artisans and the use of artisanal ice in their cocktails enhance the overall drinking experience, making each visit memorable. Furthermore, Byg Brewski is adapting to the increased demand for immersive experiences in the hospitality industry, providing themed events and interactive drinking environments that tell a story with every sip. These initiatives position Byg Brewski as a leader in the evolving landscape of hospitality, where sustainability, classic revival, and experiential drinking define the future.

Overall, general global dynamics of economic and climate turbulence also play a role in affecting the Indian travel and hospitality microcosm.

In India, Domestic travel market is on the road to be the fourth largest in the world in 5 years from now. In the same report by McKinsey, it was noted that Gen Z  fuels India’s travel spending growth by 9% per year.

Amongst the key trends gaining traction are developing avenues for lifestyle transformation, like yoga combined with sound therapy, general wellness with exercise and diet and lifestyle changes, vegan/vegetarian diets, sleep rebalance, conscious consumption as against conspicuous consumption, solo travel for self-discovery and recently, pilgrimage travels, amongst the younger generation.

The demand for “Travel now and pay later” is growing in the demographics of 25-45, across all markets and this is also translating into higher average spend on travel.

Weddings, while remaining largely traditional, are also following global trends like wedding favors, pre-wedding getaways, sustainable wedding celebrations and recently, using wedding tech platforms along with the Wedding planners for the execution. A trend to note, is that while the destination is one of the major factors being considered, F&B has emerged as the most researched and discussed criteria for weddings.

Loyalty programmes now are increasingly important in drawing aspiring luxury travelers to travel and this also affects the choice of destination and spend.

While all these are opportunities, the key challenge remains, to manage modernisation, digital maturity of the brand team and the end-user, along with the ever-evolving operational landscape.

Piyush Gupta, CEO, VOSMOS

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the hospitality industry, reshaping hotels into immersive, personalized spaces. Key trends include personalized virtual tours, where AI-driven customized journeys allow guests to explore and plan their stay, setting hotels apart as unique destinations. Streamlined venue booking simplifies the process for exploring and reserving event spaces, attracting more bookings and enhancing guest satisfaction. 3D venue visualization, powered by AI, enables guests to virtually experience and plan event layouts in real-time, acting as a personal event planner. AI-driven guest preference analysis uses technology to analyze guest preferences and tailor virtual experiences and offerings, ensuring alignment with individual tastes. 

Additionally, data-driven insights allow AI to process vast amounts of data to create digital guest profiles, enabling highly personalized experiences and targeted marketing. These innovations offer numerous benefits, including enhanced guest engagement, increased bookings and revenue, time and cost savings, and valuable data-driven insights for strategic decision-making.

Rishi Chona, Director, Prince Cuisines, Cream Centre

"Looking beyond 2024, the hospitality industry is poised for transformative changes driven by technology, sustainability, and personalized guest experiences. The integration of AI and IoT will revolutionize how hotels operate, from smart room controls to seamless check-in processes, enhancing efficiency and guest satisfaction. Sustainability will remain a key focus, with eco-friendly practices and green certifications becoming standard. Moreover, personalization will reach new heights as data analytics enable tailor-made experiences, catering to individual preferences and needs. Wellness tourism will also see significant growth, with travelers seeking holistic health experiences. These trends, combined with a renewed emphasis on authentic and local experiences, will redefine hospitality, making it more innovative, responsive, and guest-centric."

Murlidhar Rao, Chief Operating Officer, Araiya Hotels & Resorts

Overall, general global dynamics of economic and climate turbulence also play a role in affecting the Indian travel and hospitality microcosm.

In India, Domestic travel market in on the road to be the fourth largest in the world in 5 years from now. In the same report by McKinsey, it was noted that Gen Z  fuel India’s travel spending growth by 9% per year.

Amongst the key trends gaining traction are developing avenues for lifestyle transformation, like yoga combined with sound therapy, general wellness with exercise and diet and lifestyle changes, vegan/vegetarian diets, sleep rebalance, conscious consumption as against conspicuous consumption, solo travel for self-discovery and recently, pilgrimage travels, amongst the younger generation.

The demand for “Travel now and pay later” is growing in the demographics of 25-45, across all markets and this is also translating into higher average spend on travel.

Weddings, while remaining largely traditional, are also following global trends like weddiing favours, pre-wedding getaways, sustainable wedding celebrations and recently, using wedding tech platforms along with the Wedding planners for the execution. A trend to note, is that while the destination is one of the major factors being considered, F&B has emerged as the most researched and discussed criteria for weddings.

Loyalty programmes now are increasingly important in drawing aspiring luxury travellers to travel and this also affects the choice of destination and spend.

While all these are opportunities, the key challenge remains, to manage modernisation, digital maturity of the brand team and the end-user, along with the ever-evolving operational landscape.