The constantly evolving state of technology is particularly important for the travel accommodation industry. According to a Skift report, in coming years dated technologies such as pay-per-view and log-in WiFi connections will be things of the past, in lieu of numerous internet-powered features.

Video streaming will replace traditional hotel pay-per-view entertainment, as more hotels allow guests to use Netflix and Hulu on hotel room TVs, with Marriott becoming the first to do so in 2015.

Scott Hansen, international director of guest technology, Marriott, told Skift, “The video-on-demand model wasn’t sustainable anymore. People just weren’t buying at the pace they were. You can’t upgrade the infrastructure with ties to a video-on-demand operator. We had to go in a new direction. Guest habits have changed. They want more over- the-top content and less linear programming.”

Marriott will also debut Connect My Device, a service allowing guests to connect their personal devices to in-room TVs. Aloft Hotels piloted a similar system called RoomCast and Wyndham’s Windgate by Wyndham is piloting a casting service powered by Google.

Lisa Checchio, vice president of brand marketing and insights, Wyndham Hotel Group, told Skift, “You can fully cast content from thousands of different apps without having to enter your personal credentials, without having to enter it into the personal TV, and it’s automatically disconnected when you leave.”

Ultimately, it’s predicted these innovations will lead to smart hotel rooms and even voice-activated guestrooms, from electronic drapes to ordering room service from personal devices and voice-activated temperature control systems via devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home.

“The future of the guestroom will be voice activation,” said Hansen. “Amazon Echo and Apple’s Siri are consumer versions of this technology. I have all that in my own home. That is the future. Whether we use that existing tech or some other voice-activated mechanism has yet to be determined. The real brick in the road is trying to get the Internet of Things upgraded to the net-connected appropriate part of the network. It’s very expensive to retrofit everything in a hotel.”

While these changes will take time to fully implement due to challenges including technology infrastructure, customer experience and cyber security, it is safe to assume travelers will soon be able to enjoy nearly all of the luxuries and conveniences of home while traveling.

What technologies would you like to see more hotels incorporating? Do you think these technology upgrades are necessary? How does technology play into your guest experience at a hotel? Email us and let us know. Please include your full name and location with your email.