Quadriga’s new wearable wristband to enhance guest experience
As wearable technology becomes ever more prolific, a new venture within the tourist industry has been pioneered by technology expert Quadriga which, alongside multinational tourism company TUI Group, has developed a smart wristband for guests. Dubbed the TUI Smartband, the wearable is a hotel room key, contactless payment system within the hotel, as well as a smart energy management system.
“It’s the combination of functions which really makes the Smartband special,” said Maria Bobrowska, TUI’s mobile commerce manager for Europe. “And the customers really like it too because it makes their lives easier. It’s an all-in-one tool that makes the customer experience more carefree and engaging.”
By utilising BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) wireless radio module and a RFID (radio frequency identification) chip, the Smartband enables guests to enter and exit their hotel room, as well aspay for drinks and other services without having to remember their room key or wallet. It saves the hotel money too – when the guest leaves or enters their hotel room, the Smartband detects this and air-con and lighting are switched on or off accordingly.
James Cannon, Quadriga’s regional director for UK and Ireland, commented: “The TUI Smartband project …represents a fundamentally new way of addressing the needs of hoteliers and guests.” Rather than an off-the-shelf solution Cannon said this wristband represented ‘a far more collaborative and ‘outcome’ focused approach where the needs of business are front and centre of design’.
Currently under trial at the Blue Village Family Life resort in Turkey, the wristband is also linked up to the app ‘My Holiday’, which provides information for more than 350,000 TUI Nordic guests. It has recently taken second place in Management Today’s ‘Wearables at Work’ awards for its innovation and cost-saving approach.