Delighting guests from check-in to check-out

As the headline sponsor of the forthcoming International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF), taking place in Dubai from 14-17 May 2009, Avaya will be giving hoteliers the first regional preview of its new ‘Media Phone’ solution, a cross between a telephone and PC, allowing direct access to applications and Internet-based information through a large colour touch screen with a high-quality phone.

The media phone boasts a large, colour home screen that provides one-touch access to hotel-specific services and the Internet. The focus for Avaya at IHTF is demonstrating to the hotel community how its unified communications solutions and integration can deliver an unprecedented customer experience as well as competitive advantage in the current economic climate.

“The hospitality vertical is experiencing two challenges – an increase in customer expectation about in-room experience and access to information and entertainment, as well as significant competition for both leisure and business travelers in a more trying economy. Avaya’s solutions created specifically for hotels, including our newly-developed ‘media phone,’ enable hotels in the Middle East and beyond to create previously unavailable customer experiences which enhance service and act as a competitive differentiator for the property,” said Frederick Sabty, Hospitality Solutions Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

In addition to providing a preview of its new Avaya Media Phone for hotels, the communications leader will also use the IHTF to showcase Avaya desk phones with features and functionality specifically designed for the hospitality industry with a simple user interface, that act as in-room phones but also provide dining information, spa treatments, directories, maps, weather conditions…etc.

“The hospitality sector has become a central element of Avaya’s business, given that communications and information is vital to leisure and business guests. At the same time, we’re developing and delivering communications solutions for the back-office functions in the hotel industry, to boost productivity and reduce costs. Avaya appreciates that retaining guests and operating more efficiently are vital to the entire industry, and IHTF gives Avaya the platform to highlight how we are working with hotels in the Middle East and elsewhere,” Sabty added.

Avaya’s industry-specific hospitality solutions are at work for guests and staff at Atlantis the Palm, Jumeirah’s Burj Al Arab Hotel, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts, Wynn Resorts and hundreds of other hotels and resorts around the world.

For more information, visit avaya.com.