A new flu is spreading. Should hoteliers be worried?

Everyone seems to be getting sick after the holidays. From Bird Flu to Norovirus, 2025 is already testing our immune systems in major ways. And although you strictly adhere to the cleaning protocol at your hotel, you may not realize how other aspects of your day-to-day operations are putting both your staff and guests at risk. This may have left you wondering: How can I ensure everyone’s safety while still providing a personal touch at my hotel?

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Digital Check-In: The First Line of Defense

Traditional hotel check-ins often involve multiple touchpoints: handling credit cards, passing documents back and forth, and touching shared surfaces like countertops and pens. Contactless hotels eliminate these risks through digital check-in systems. Guests can complete their registration process entirely through their smartphones. We recommend infusing your brand throughout the digital check-in process to still give guests a warm welcome.

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Automated Cleaning and Task Creation

Automated cleaning tasks are essential for hotels of any size. No longer do housekeeping teams need to juggle mental checklists or risk walking into an occupied room. Instead, an AI-powered messaging platform can direct them to rooms and tasks that need attention. By minimizing contact points, these smart systems protect your hardworking staff from the lurking dangers of illnesses like Norovirus and Flu. 

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Digital Food and Beverage Service

Room service and dining have been reimagined in contactless hotels. Digital menus accessible via smartphone have replaced physical ones. This reduces person-to-person contact while maintaining high service standards. These menus can also be integrated with an automated message system to better close the loop between front and back of house service.

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Automated Responses to Common Guest Worries

When you’re combatting a breakout of illness, the last thing your staff needs is a line at the front desk. By using an automated response tool, you can answer common guest questions in an instant, without the need for face-to-face interaction. Your hotel staff will appreciate the added comfort, and your guests will come to love the quick responses.

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Enhanced Cleaning Procedures

During a time of heightened potential exposure, you can enhance your cleaning protocol to protect both your staff and your guests. Beyond the cleaning of each room, you should also focus on disinfecting common areas such as lobbies, restaurants, gyms, and meeting rooms. You may install hand sanitizer stations in high-traffic areas and encourage staff and guests to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

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Business Advantages of Health-First Design

While the primary focus is on health and safety, contactless hotels are discovering additional benefits:

• Reduced operational costs through automation
• Higher booking rates from health-conscious travelers
• Improved staff retention due to safer working conditions
• Increased guest satisfaction due to streamlined services

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The Future of Hospitality

As we look ahead, contactless hotels are likely to become the new standard rather than the exception. The technology that makes these properties possible continues to evolve, promising even more sophisticated solutions for guest safety and comfort.

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Conclusion

The shift toward contactless hotels not only boosts efficiency, but also provides peace of mind during a time when we all increasingly value cleanliness in our travel experiences. We realize this can be a lot to handle on your own, so Akia is designed to give you a second set of hands in all these key areas. By embracing these innovations, your hotel is protecting both its guests and employees. 

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