The travel industry is working out ways to restore confidence and encourage consumers to travel again.
Enter SmartDigitalPlug, a platform created by six startups to help small hotels and rental properties to digitize their services and address some of the current safety and hygiene challenges.
The platform was devised as part of the EUvsVirus hackathon, with the work from the startups coordinated by Tech 1 Venture Capital Company.
Its aim is to make it affordable for smaller accommodation providers to implement more digital services that reduce human contact but also drive efficiency and reduce the environmental impact.
The platform offers a series of digital services that can be managed from one place, including check-in and check-out tools, with the paperwork generated on a web dashboard and mobile application, provided via the CheKin startup.
Guess access to rooms and properties can be done via NFC or smart mobile key through technology provided by STAYmyway, which also drives energy efficiency by detecting if guests are present in a location.
SmartDigitalPlug also enables property owners and managers to schedule cleaning, coordinate laundry and final inspection services, using technology from Doinn.
Other startups on the platform include Servantrip, which lets properties offer private transfers, while Visor.ai provides a chatbot on WhatsApp or Messenger that can answer queries from travelers during any part of the trip.
Finally, myHotel monitors traveler satisfaction before, during and after the stay.
The startups are currently finalizing integration of the various technologies as well as a commercial strategy.