Navigating The 2020 Festive Season

The holiday season is upon us, it is the time of year where most of us attempt to slow down in order to take a well-deserved break or to spend some quality time with families and friends. However festive this time of year might be, it is not without its challenges, especially for 2020.

This year we would have to do things a bit differently in order to successfully navigate the challenges that the Covid pandemic has posed. Thankfully, we live in a time where technology aids in making our lives a little easier.

Here are a few ideas to help you navigate through some of the stresses this holiday season.

Stay Connected

With limits on traveling still firmly in place, some friends and families will have to opt for long distance interaction with their loved ones. The tech industry has come up with plenty of creative and fun ways to do exactly that.

Apps such as TwoSeven, allows you to watch online content on services like Netflix and YouTube in sync with your friends and family. The app was designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy to use for all ages.

If you are looking for something a bit more interactive, you can go for online Board Games. Both Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly are available on PS4 and Xbox One and feature online modes, so however far apart you are, you can still enjoy the annual family board game rivalry.

Stay Smart

Innovation within technology have brought almost everything within our reach. This is also very much applicable to the hotel industry as well.

A little under a year has passed since both Hilton and Marriott announced their plans to take the leap into the age of digitalization by investing in the newest innovation called Smart Hotels.

A smart hotel room is a room that makes use of ‘smart’ electronic devices, powered by the Internet of Things. This IoT technology takes ordinary devices and fit them with internet-connectivity, allowing for the transfer of data, effectively, bringing about seamless communication between the devices.

This internet connectivity and communication capability allows the devices to find necessary information from the internet, and to interact with other devices in the nearby vicinity.

In a Smart Hotel Room you will enjoy benefits such as Smart-Room controls, Streamlined user experience and Automated Concierge.

You can easily make changes to the conditions within the room, such as choosing a preferred temperature and lighting level. By utilising IoT technology, the heating, air conditioning and lights can then respond and automatically maintain the desired conditions.

Additionally, your smart room will be able to assist with other aspects, such as requesting room service, dry cleaning or enquiring about additional destination information. While traditional hotels offers and info desk at reception or a consultant over the telephone, a smart hub will be able to understand questions and provide a response instantly, using the internet to source applicable answers.

With installed voice recognition software such as Alexa For Hospitality , guests have a personal assistant to get their information from around the clock. Alexa for examples uses an extensive database of past questions and has access to millions of websites.

If it is effortless, hassle free, “smart” accommodation that you are looking for this holiday season, consider booking a room in a Smart Hotel.

Stay Informed

With the spike of Corona outbreaks in some of the major cities due to holiday festivities, it is now more important than ever to stay informed.

Numerous applications have been developed to keep locals up to date of the latest Corona Virus developments. Most applications were built to send alerts to your phone if you have been in close proximity with another app user who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

If you are planning on traveling throughout the holidays, you can download a Covid Tracking applications specifically developed for the destination that will be visiting. You can also make use of the official WHO information app. The app will keep you up to date with the latest global health news throughout the holiday season. It is available for download on Android and IOS.

Make the best of your holidays this year, whether you are spending it abroad, at home with family or even alone. Technology has given us the opportunity to embrace any circumstance. Happy Holidays!