HOTELS


Now is the time for SMEs to embrace contactless payments


PETER DUCKER is chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality


Luxury yacht hotel debuts in Victoria Docks


A new four-star hotel has opened in the capital, with the Sunborn London giving guests the chance to sleep on a luxury yacht moored in the East End’s Royal Victoria Docks. Operated by ISS Hotel


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ontactless payment and the technology behind it – Near- field Communication – has been around for a number of


years. In the UK, EAT was one of the first high street chains to introduce nationwide contactless payment back in 2008. Te weakness of the system, which per-


sists today, has been the lack of security. If you mislay your Oyster card or contactless debit card, anyone can pick it up and use it during the time that elapses before you realise it is missing and cancel it. Tis is the reason there is a £20 transaction limit and the banks absorb all of the risk on behalf of both the user and the business. But now, payment with a mobile


phone is the safer, next generation of contactless payment because transactions need to be authorised with a thumbprint or by entering a pin number and conse- quently are secure and don’t require a limit. Hospitality doesn’t have a strong record


when it comes to investing in new tech- nology. In fact, nearly a fiſth of hospitality businesses don’t even accept card payment. According to a survey of Institute of


Hospitality members and their operations by Chip & PIN Solutions, 19 per cent said they were cash-only businesses. Although everyone has the right to run


their business as they see fit, not to accept widespread methods of payment does not make commercial sense; it simply limits the ability of guests to spend money since impulse purchases do not exist. Yes, there is some commission to pay when accepting cards, but this should be more than com- pensated for by increased turnover. As mobile and contactless pay-


ment become more prevalent, there is a danger some businesses will get left behind. Tat would be unfortunate because new payment technology is actually particularly suited to small businesses because it eliminates the need for expensive card terminals or point-of-sale systems. Small firms can now simply buy a device


online from global payment companies which plugs into a phone or tablet, allowing the business owner to take card payments.


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Division London, the nautical hotel harks back to a bygone era through the use of teak wood panelling, a standout glass staircase and vast decked areas, which provide views across the London skyline. The hotel offers a choice


of 136 yacht bedrooms and suites, while the property also features a restaurant, audito- rium and cinema club, conference rooms, an Elemis day spa, private terraces and a Skylounge with private decking for events. Te Sunborn will predominantly look to


appeal to corporate clients, given its proxim- ity to London City Airport and Canary Wharf. Sunborn’s yachts, with another in operation


in Gibraltar, are designed to meet environ- mental EU standards. For example, the hotel yachts are designed with zero discharge and


Te floating hotel concept is a rarity on London’s River Tames


emission policy and do not use engines or generators while in mooring. Te policy also allows hotel offerings to be able to operate in unique locations without negatively impact- ing on environmental conditions. Te Sunborn isn’t the only nautical hotel to


spring up in London recently, with MHG creat- ing the luxury Mondrian along the Southbank, taking inspiration from shipping containers. Details: http://lei.sr?a=9q5Z4


Marriott unveils VR ‘Teleporter’


Marriott Hotels is aiming to revolutionise the concept of travel through a virtual reality (VR) project that ‘teleports’ users to some of the world’s most exciting destinations in a matter of seconds. Te company has teamed


up with the visual effects company behind Hollywood blockbuster Gravity to create an immersive sensory expe- rience featuring the Oculus Riſt DK2 VR headset, wire- less headphones and suite of 4-D sensory elements. During the Marriott Virtual Travel


Marriott’s virtual ‘Teleporter’ is currently touring the company’s hotels “Marriott is pioneering the use of inno-


Experience, guests enter the phone-booth like ‘Teleporter’, where they put on VR headsets and headphones to be completely immersed in a virtual world. From there, they visit a virtual version of a new Marriott Greatroom lobby, and then virtually travel to a black sand beach in Maui, Hawaii, as well as to the top of London’s Tower 42. While ‘travelling,’ 4-D elements kick in – the feeling of the warm sun on skin, breeze in the hair, rumble of waves under foot and ocean spray in the face – to create a highly realistic experience.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


vative technologies that will transform the guest experience in unprecedented ways,” said Michael Dail, Marriott brand marketing VP. Te Teleporter is currently touring eight


select Marriott properties, with plans to add more destinations based on user suggestions. Innovators and investors are waking up to


the possibility of Oculus Riſt VR headsets for both the travel and attractions industry, fol- lowing the March purchase of Oculus Riſt by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for £1.2bn. Details: http://lei.sr?a=a5G2s


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2014


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