IoT in the hospitality industry: exploring theoretical and practical implications

Tourism is currently undergoing a digital transition that is transforming it at a rapid pace. The Internet of Things has the capability to completely revolutionise tourist experiences by allowing visitors to connect digitally with local inhabitants via sensors and cameras linked to buildings and devices throughout towns and neighbourhoods. The main aim of this chapter is to discuss the IoT applications in the hospitality sector, as well as their organisational consequences. After introducing a few basic ideas and terminologies, we discuss the growth of IoT in the tourism ecosystem, tracing a few exemplary scenarios and identifying the important players. The focus then shifts to the IoT's possibilities in the hospitality industry, where smart room design and development are already underway. The Marriott case study analysis is presented in the chapter's centre portion as trailblazing evidence of an important paradigm shift toward ubiquitous smart services in high-end hotels. Finally, we discuss privacy concerns and the theoretical and practical implications regarding the adoption of the IoT in hospitality.