Digitization provides the answer to many challenges that the hotel industry has to overcome, Martin Stockburger is convinced of this. “The Corona pandemic has dealt a severe blow to the hotel boom of recent years. It is all the more difficult to operate cost-efficiently and remain competitive in the current market environment. The crisis is also exacerbating the already severe shortage of skilled workers that has plagued the industry for years. Dedicated young talent is hard to find. At the same time, climate change continues to advance, forcing the hotel industry to rethink as well.”

2017 marks the founding of Koncept Hotels. The idea? To create a concept that is 100 percent focused on the needs of the target group. Technology-savvy, mindful travelers will enjoy a contemporary and efficient hotel experience characterized by a sustainable approach to the environment and a modern service mindset that gives them the greatest possible freedom and flexibility. Granted: The concept of a 100 percent digital hotel without a classic reception desk was radical. And cleared up a widespread misconception, according to the hotel boss: “Service at the reception is not a contemporary guest need. Rather, it’s about a completely different business strategy. We live in a digital world and the hotels we create should match that.”

The idea has taken off, and in just a few years seven hotels under the Koncept Hotels brand have established themselves in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – with more to follow.

Intelligent interfaces connect all providers

The interaction of the digital tools used plays a decisive role in daily hotel operations. Koncept Hotel works together with different providers in its hotels. One example: While the Bernese hotel “Löie” uses the property management system MEWS, the Viennese hotel “Liebelei” relies on the services of Infor.

How can a smooth cooperation of all components succeed?

As a platform provider, Hotelbird brings the necessary flexibility to link all PMS as well as door lock and payment providers with each other by means of intelligent interfaces. Different and often fragmented system landscapes are thus no obstacle for a successful digitization of the reception. The deep integration to all leading providers on the market distinguishes Hotelbird and creates a seamless, contemporary guest journey.

The fully comprehensive and flexible solutions of the Munich-based technology company have convinced Koncept Hotels from the very beginning: Since the opening of the first hotel “Zum kostbaren Blut” in Cologne on March 1, 2017, the ProPlus package from Hotelbird has been used. This includes the complete digitization of the reception services – from convenient online check-in/out and the digital registration form to the digital key and mobile payment.

Superfluous processes, tedious administration, repetitive tasks: From the very beginning, Koncept Hotels has systematically freed itself from this ballast and dared to rethink the hotel business. This courage and entrepreneurial vision benefits not only the guests, but also the team, which is relieved and finds easier working conditions. And with the use of digital services, the sustainably managed company conserves valuable resources. “Together with Hotelbird, we have built a sustainable hotel product that stands firm in times of crisis thanks to flexibility and digitality and wins people’s hearts in times of economic upswing thanks to lightness and the positive message of a better world.”