Overview
In recent years, digitalization efforts in regional ryokan have accelerated. As the need for non-personal services increases in the wake of the new coronavirus infection, inns are introducing digital technology in various areas, such as reservations, check-in, and room information, in order to improve customer satisfaction and eliminate human resource shortages.
Details
1. background of digitalization
Increased need for non-personal services due to the Corona disaster
Need to improve operational efficiency due to human resource shortage
Improvement of customer experience
2. specific initiatives
Online reservation system
Introduction of self check-in/check-out system
Provide information via in-room tablet terminals
Introduction of online customer service
Customer service by AI chatbot
3. case studies
Yamanaka Onsen Chaya Ryokan, a ryokan in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Implemented a self check-in/check-out system and tablet terminals in guest rooms to provide non-personal services.
Havens Sonohara, a ryokan in Achi Village, Shimoina County, Nagano Prefecture
Introduced AI chatbot to respond to customer questions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
4. challenges and prospects
Initial investment cost
Lack of digital human resources
Dealing with elderly and IT-unfriendly customers
5. summary
The digitalization of local inns has been accelerated by the Corona disaster and is expected to further advance in the future. Ryokans are expected to improve customer satisfaction, resolve human resource shortages, and increase management efficiency by utilizing digital technology while overcoming challenges.
thoughts on the content
The acceleration of digitalization in local inns is news that reminds us of the changing times. It is natural that the Corona disaster has increased the need for non-personal services, and it is evident that ryokans are making efforts to respond to the needs of the times.
Case Studies
The case studies introduced in the article are all interesting. In particular, I found the efforts of an inn that introduced an AI chatbot to provide customer service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to be groundbreaking.
1. Challenges
However, it is also true that digitization has its challenges, such as initial investment costs and lack of digital human resources. In particular, dealing with elderly customers and customers unfamiliar with IT will be a major challenge for ryokans.
2. Outlook
In order to overcome these challenges, it will be important not only for inns to cooperate with the government and IT companies. Cooperation across the entire ryokan industry and the promotion of digitalization will probably lead to the revitalization of local ryokans.
3. Impressions
The article is explained logically, starting with the background, specific initiatives, challenges, and prospects.
Although the article is well written, there are several areas for improvement.
4. lack of data
Does not mention specific effects of digitization. Specific data on case studies and the rate of digitization in the inn industry as a whole would make more convincing.
5. support for elderly customers and customers unfamiliar with IT
Dealing with elderly and IT-unfriendly customers is a major challenge for ryokans. The article mentions this challenge, but does not go into much detail about specific solutions.
I think the value of info would be improved by providing specific solutions to this challenge.
future development
This news is very important for the future development of local inns. We will continue to pay close attention to how digitalization will progress and how it will affect the ryokan industry as a whole.
