Last year in August I had written about how Ushuaïa Beach Hotel in Ibiza, had become the world’s first hotel to use RFID-enabled wristbands to engage with its guests. Then in June 2012 they rolled out a biometric payment system that pushed the boundaries of cardless payments.
Guests who wished to use the new PayTouch system were required to register their credit card details along with their biometric data of their right index and middle fingers with the hotel. After which payments at all facilities at the destination were done by simply pressing the guests fingers against a fingerprint recognition device.
Now for 2013 the hotel is gearing up to replace its 2011 RFID-enabled wristbands with the above touch technology. Special touch screens are going to be installed around the hotel that provide guests access to their Facebook profiles by simply placing their fingers on a biometric sensor. However the updates on Facebook will be limited to a selection of automated actions like taking a photo, updating their current location and liking the hotels ongoing event.
Ushuaïa Beach Hotel is truly setting an example for others in the hospitality industry by using technology to improve customer experience and spreading the word about their hotel. 😎
