Consumers want more tech in hospitality, research shows

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New technology including voice ordering, virtual reality and sophisticated chatbots could be in the future for restaurants, according to new research.

OpenTable’s reactive 2022 trends survey found 43% of consumers would be keen to adopt these experiences and that over half (55%) of the UK is expecting to see them being introduced to restaurants’ booking and ordering platforms next year.

The survey revealed Millennials (28%) and Gen Z (25%) are most keen to adopt this trend, whereas 65+ (27%) are extremely reluctant to experience or adopt this trend, demonstrating that the adoption of technology when it comes to the hospitality sector is split between generations.

Meanwhile, OpenTable discovered 74% of consumers are keen for the adoption of more thorough safety measures in restaurants via technology.

Robin Chiang, VP, OpenTable comments: “With consumers keen to adopt new technology when dining out, now is the time for restaurants to start thinking about innovative new ways of safeguarding their customers through their booking and ordering platforms.

“Restaurants and booking platforms have already begun to implement tools such as QR codes and direct messaging features, such as that from OpenTable, but we expect diners will want to see restaurants take this a step further.

“Voice ordering, virtual reality and the use of chatbots are just some of the ways restaurants can begin to explore this.”