But hotel says they have no plans to make establishment staff-free
A hotel in New Zealand has revealed that it is saving around $90,000 per annum in wages thanks to the introduction of robots - as the country's tourism industry begins adopting more emerging technology.
One hotel of Sudima Hotels has been revealed to be using two service robots that are serving 90% of orders, Radio New Zealand reported.
"Their hours are equal to about 1.5 (full-time equivalents) or approximately $90,000 per annum in wages," said Les Morgan, chief operating officer of Sudima Hotels, as quoted by RNZ.
"They require no induction, no training, no staff meals, no leave."
The robots are also able to save the hotel time, according to Morgan, adding that they plan to introduce specialist robots to clean common areas starting next year.
The introduction of these robots come amid growing job insecurities across the world stemming from the expanding benefits of automation in workplaces.
Morgan, however, assured that they don't want their hotels to become sterile and staff-free places, stressing that the robots to be introduced next year will also help staff transfer linen and products.
Expanding use of technology
Morgan was among the speakers of the recently held Tourism Summit Aotearoa last week, which discussed how tourism operators are looking into emerging technology and artificial intelligence.
Sky Motion director Soraya Sarwary, another speaker during the event, revealed they are using virtual reality to help explore places they haven't been to in the past.
Greg Foran, Air New Zealand chief executive and fellow event speaker, also said they have been using eyeing and acquiring technology to further customer experience.
Among these technologies are drones.
"We're investigating the role of drones as it may pertain to Air New Zealand and our role in connecting people, and then also single-seater electric planes that require no licence - other than a few hours' training - but can replace short distance car travel," Foran said as quoted by Radio New Zealand.
Rebecca Ingram, chief executive of the event organiser Tourism Industry Association, said technology and artificial intelligence are no longer just on the horizon for the industry.
"We're already seeing robots serving in hotels and restaurants, virtual, and mixed reality tourism, and new platforms for bookings and operating systems that are developing at an ever-increasing pace," Ingram said in a statement.
"To borrow a saying from one of our members, 'Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road.'"
