Picture this: You’ve just stepped off a long flight, and you’re looking forward to your hotel stay. As you walk into your room, the lighting adjusts to your favorite mood, your favorite show starts streaming on the TV, and the temperature is exactly where you like it. No need to call the front desk—everything is set up just as you imagined. This seamless, personalized experience is what Jannah Hotels and Resorts is working toward with the help of innovative technology.
We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Ahmad Hafez, IT Director at Jannah Hotels & Resorts, to explore how the hotel group is using cutting-edge technology to elevate the guest experience and optimize operations.
A glimpse into the Jannah Hotels’ tech stack
At Jannah Hotels, technology isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s about improving the guest experience and streamlining operations. Let’s take a quick tour through their tech stack.
"We are currently transitioning to Shiji Enterprise at our new Executive Hotel Apartments," shares Ahmad Hafez, IT Director at Jannah Hotels & Resorts. "Along with those, TravelClick has been our trusted partner for over six years. For back-office operations, we’re currently using Infor Sun, which our team is quite satisfied with."
When it comes to guest-facing technology, Jannah Hotels is especially proud of its WeBee-powered app. The app not only handles guest requests before and during their stay but also manages in-room dining and satisfaction surveys. This level of technology ensures guests can access services at the touch of a button, reducing the need for front desk interaction, and making the guest experience smoother.
How Is Jannah Hotels driving digital transformation?
Jannah Hotels has been proactively adopting new technologies to streamline operations, embrace sustainability, and modernize its tech stack. Here’s how they are transforming:
Cloud Migration: Transitioned to cloud-based systems, partnering with Shiji to create a more agile and dynamic environment.
Expense Management: Introduced Pemo Pay to eliminate petty cash handling and enhance financial management.
Sustainability Initiatives:
Equipped all hotels with EV chargers.
Adopted Bamboo access cards for eco-friendly operations.
Enabled guests to contribute to reforestation efforts by donating at checkout to plant a tree.
But how exactly has this tech improved both guest experience and operational efficiency?
Guest experience: Smooth, personalized, and seamless
The app-based technology has certainly made a significant impact. "We’ve seen a reduction in the friction of traditional check-in/out processes. The communication between guests and front desk staff is more fluid, bypassing language barriers and enhancing personalization," Ahmad shares. "Guests have more control over their room settings, whether it's adjusting the lighting for the perfect mood or customizing in-room entertainment."
On the operational side, automation has taken over many tasks that were once manual. "Automation has allowed us to streamline housekeeping and engineering assignments. Staff now spend less time on logistical tasks and more time ensuring guest satisfaction. We’ve even seen cross-departmental communication improve because of this."
Overcoming adoption challenges
Like any hotel, Jannah Hotels faces challenges when adopting new technologies. "Resistance to change is always a factor," Ahmad acknowledges. "We overcome this through phased training and ensuring that the new solutions actually address gaps in our previous systems. If the new product proves itself and solves problems, the adoption rate increases."
However, cost and security concerns also come into play. "While newer technologies tend to be priced better than legacy systems, ROI is still a major discussion. We focus not just on payback periods but on how many issues are resolved and how much more efficient our operations become."
The road ahead: Embracing green-tech and self-service
Looking toward the future, Ahmad sees plenty of opportunities for improvement. "We plan to focus even more on digitizing processes and incorporating green-tech initiatives. Sustainability will continue to play a key role in our strategy—whether it’s water-saving technologies or using recycled materials in consumables."
Self-service options are another area of focus. "While self-service options like self-check-in and self-ordering might seem contrary to hospitality, they actually give staff more time to focus on delivering personalized service. The key is balancing technology and the human touch."
What are the barriers to adopting new technologies in hospitality?
While innovation is key, several challenges hinder the adoption of new technologies in the industry. Ahmad identifies the following key barriers:
Market Saturation: The industry is crowded with similar products, making it hard for any one solution to stand out unless it offers significant value, such as AI or machine learning integration.
Legacy Systems: Many hotel chains remain tied to outdated infrastructure, creating roadblocks for implementing new and modern solutions.
Overcoming these challenges requires a commitment to innovation and a focus on delivering measurable value to stand apart in the crowded market.
Emerging tech with huge potential
Looking at the future of hotel management, Ahmad is particularly excited about the integration of AI and IoT. "We’ll see more advanced AI connections across different systems, like IoT devices that automatically adjust room conditions based on guest preferences. Biometrics for check-in, room mood customization, and even single sign-on systems could reshape the guest experience."
He also highlights cybersecurity as a critical area for development, ensuring that guest data remains secure as more services move to the cloud. "Hotels will continue to enhance their data protection to build trust and reliability with guests," Ahmad says.
What’s next for Jannah Hotels?
For 2025, Ahmad has a clear vision. "We’re targeting GreenKey certification and will continue to partner with vendors who offer sustainable solutions, from servers to storage systems. We want to make sure that every piece of technology we implement contributes to a more sustainable future."
A final word of advice for hoteliers
If Ahmad could recommend one technology to other hoteliers, it would be Shiji Enterprise. "It’s cloud-based, it addresses common hotel-specific issues, and it comes with a range of built-in tools like eReg and improved reporting. It’s a game-changer for any hotel still relying on legacy systems."
Ultimately, the goal at Jannah Hotels is simple: To enhance the guest experience without losing the personal touch. By integrating technology into every aspect of the guest journey, Jannah is setting itself up for the future—one where sustainability, efficiency, and personalization go hand-in-hand.
ExploreTECH Content Team
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