HITEC Rewind: Nicolás Aznar on the Future of AI in Hospitality with Vingcard
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto had the opportunity to interview Nicolás Aznar, President of the Americas at Vingcard. Known for its innovative security solutions, Vingcard is at the forefront of integrating technology into the hospitality industry. Here are the key takeaways from their conversation.
Introduction and Role at Vingcard
Nicolás Aznar introduces himself as the President of the Americas for Vingcard, a full-service provider in the hospitality industry with a focus on security solutions. Vingcard is renowned for its electronic locks, RFID technology, and staff safety products. The company's portfolio includes entities like Nomadix and Axxess, which are some of the solutions showcased at HITEC.Short-term Predictions on AI in Hospitality
Nicolás emphasizes the importance of focusing on the near-term impact of AI rather than long-term futuristic scenarios. He believes that AI's most immediate impact will be on simplifying and facilitating daily tasks for hospitality staff. This will allow them to focus more on human interactions, which is at the core of the hospitality industry.Enhancing Staff Efficiency and Guest Experience
Nicolás predicts that AI will provide more time for staff to engage in meaningful activities. For example, housekeeping staff will have more time to clean rooms efficiently, ensuring guests don't have to wait. Managers will spend less time on administrative tasks and more time interacting with guests and staff, enhancing the overall guest experience.Connected Devices and Usable Data
Vingcard's connected devices are already collecting valuable data. AI can use this data to operate properties more efficiently and improve guest experiences. Nicolás envisions AI facilitating the operations of these devices, making the guest experience more pleasant and seamless.Conclusion
Nicolás concludes by expressing his optimism about the future of AI in hospitality. He highlights the immediate benefits AI will bring to the industry, emphasizing its role in enhancing staff efficiency and guest satisfaction.This interview is part of Hospitality Net's HITEC 2024 series, where industry leaders share their insights on the latest advancements in hospitality technology.