The United Nations World Tourism Organization predicts that around two billion people will travel abroad by 2030, with annual arrivals in African countries estimated at 3 million. As of May 2021, the number of tourists arriving in Africa from abroad stood at around 1.04 million, a figure significantly higher than the 533,000 international tourists visiting the continent in May 2020. Before the pandemic, a hospitality report showed Africa was the second-fastest-growing tourism region globally, with a growth rate of 5.6% after Asia-Pacific, compared to an average global growth rate of 3.9%.
Aside from transportation concerns, tourists/travelers also consider the accommodation issue an essential factor before embarking on a journey. Tourists are always looking for the best lodges in terms of security, convenience, and pricing. More than ever, many travelers rely on their mobile phones to plan, book their trips, and navigate their way around once they reach their destinations.
Sadly, the number of human lives lost in terrorist attacks on hotels during the past decade has shown that hotels are often targeted because of their international visitors, symbolic status as global brands, and high media exposure. Weak security systems and procedures such as registration processes, data security, verification of personal documents, etc., are also some of the reasons hotels are targeted. These vulnerabilities suggest the need for more efficient identity verification procedures to thwart the use of false identity documents during registration.
As technology improves human well-being, hospitality service providers must also demonstrate robust methods of validating guest identities to prevent travelers from becoming victims of online crime or terrorism. Improving the onboarding experience for hotel guests can significantly and positively impact the overall guest experience. For example, industry surveys have shown that satisfaction with the check-in/check-out process is highest among guests who used their mobile devices compared to those using any other method. However, only three percent of guests have taken advantage of mobile check-in, indicating tremendous room for growth.
Additionally, recent hospitality industry security reports have focused on the vulnerability of accommodation providers to organized crime such as human trafficking. Indeed, hotels may unintentionally offer the confidentiality and anonymity required by these criminal groups to carry out their activities.
Benefits of Integrating Digital Identity Verification for Hospitality Providers
While we cannot fully trust technology to eliminate the risk of fraud, terrorism, and data theft, it can be used to reduce vulnerability, increase prevention, and the ability to respond to the problem on time. Technologies such as CCTV and intrusion alerts have become commonplace in the hospitality industry globally to limit criminal activity, but what happens when a person tries to check into a hotel with a stolen or fake identity? Here are some ways identity verification solutions can help.
Improves Guests’ Safety
Many fraudsters can go through hotel service providers’ systems with excellent forged documents, making it almost impossible for the naked eye to notice a difference. However, automated digital identity verification plays a crucial role in limiting the occurrence of false identities, as it accurately verifies that the identity is genuine and detects false identities. In this way, the safety of the guests is guaranteed, and criminals are kept out of the system.
Seamless onboarding experience
A frictionless onboarding flow from start to finish gives customers a pleasant experience. For example, would-be guests start by exploring the accommodations on their cell phones. They quickly and easily book a room of their choice using their smartphone’s camera to scan their credentials while capturing the data needed for an online reservation form.
Furthermore, guests can skip the front desk after arriving at their destination by checking in on their smartphone and obtaining a digital room key. To do this, they can use their smartphone’s camera to snap a picture of their ID and then take a selfie. Advanced technology such as Identitypass’s facial recognition system can compare the individual in the selfie with the photo on the ID to ensure that the person checking matches the original reservation.
Promotes Brand Reputation
Now that the hospitality service provider can verify a guest’s identity through digital identity verification, it becomes easier to gain the assurance of guests by having a more secure method for verifying their identities. At the same time, the guests can enjoy an entirely seamless and frictionless digital process from end to end. Consequently, this promotes the brand’s reputation as being convenient, fast, and secure, resulting in more clientele and profits.
At Identitypass, our vision is to build an online space that guarantees trust and safety. Business owners need to be better informed about the benefits of identity verification and how it can benefit their business operations and customers.
By clicking here, you can learn more about how our verification products can help us improve your business performance.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about identity verification? Let us know in the comments.
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