By Lauren Hall, CEO and Founder of iVvy - 12.24.2023
With the help of technological advancements, the dining experience has become more efficient and eco-friendly than ever before. Restaurants can now save 7.5 million trees every year, all thanks to tablet-based point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Sustainable Dining Never Tasted So Good
Consumers are prioritising what matters most to them when making purchases – including where and how they eat. A recent survey by Deliverect, which surveyed 7,000 individuals globally, revealed some interesting insights. Although 65% of respondents admitted that they often view healthy and sustainable eating as a more expensive option, 43% expressed a willingness to pay extra for food from establishments that prioritise sustainability. Furthermore, an impressive 47% of those surveyed indicated they would consider choosing more sustainable options on the menu.
These findings show the growing shift in consumer preferences towards eco-conscious and ethical considerations when it comes to dining choices, suggesting that sustainability is now a significant factor influencing their decisions.
In the culinary world, this is not a passing trend but a revolution – with sustainability at its core.
Smart Kitchen Practices
Many hospitality establishments are now adopting different technological solutions to enhance guest experience sustainably. In hotels, these solutions include revenue management systems and property management systems. By utilizing data, these innovative solutions customize guest experiences based on preferences, engagement history, and purchasing habits. Even better – the benefits of these systems go beyond monetary gains.
Automated energy systems, equipped with advanced features like motion sensors for lights and intelligent climate control systems, are becoming increasingly popular in the industry. By adopting these energy-efficient solutions, venues can reduce their carbon footprint while streamlining operations without constant human oversight. These systems cut costs and improve customer satisfaction through convenience and user-friendly features, leading to better business outcomes.
Serving Up More Than Just Good Food
Joseph Steele, Editor in Chief at the Australian Good Food & Travel Guide, believes that the hospitality industry will increasingly rely on AI technology in the future. With a vast amount of data available, accurately determining customers’ preferences can be a challenging task. It remains crucial to include testing and reporting in your marketing campaigns and the more you can personalise your approach to diners, the more likely you are to attract them to your venue. This is known as hyper-personalisation.
“Hyper-personalization allows us to not only recommend a steak restaurant but to recommend a steak restaurant that’s preferred by people like you. By collecting and collating recommendations, we can determine elements more than just food that make you like a place, and we can recommend other locations with more of that special something.”
Sustainable Restaurant Association – Driving Industry Change
A significant player in driving positive change within the restaurant industry is the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). This nonprofit organization is committed to assisting food-service businesses in the UK in their journey toward sustainability. At the same time, it serves as a valuable resource for customers, offering guidance on making more sustainable choices when dining out.
In an exclusive interview with iVvy, the Sustainable Restaurant Association expressed their belief in the power of tech to drive sustainable change while positively impacting business performance, driving down costs and reducing pressure on staff.
“From smart procurement platforms to induction hobs, light sensors to energy smart meters, restaurateurs have never had so many technological aids to help them reduce their impact. Many of the UK’s largest and best-known restaurant names have used smart inventory systems to drive down operational food waste to historically low levels as well as find new customers to consume leftover food via redistribution apps like Too Good To Go.”
“Right now, at a time when adopting sustainable practices could not only reduce a business’ impact but also save it serious money, pressure on staff time has never been greater. A fully engaged team, motivated to do the right thing can be the single biggest force for good. That’s what makes engineering sustainability into every facet of the business so important.”
Free eBook: The Definitive Guide to Hospitality Technology – Stay ahead with your entire hotel operations in 2024 with iVvy’s free ebook ‘The Definitive Guide to Hospitality Technology’, developed with the Australian Good Food & Travel Guide.
What’s Inside?
The Time (& Money) Savings of Automation: Learn how automation can transform every aspect of your hotel, from reservation management to guest communication.
The Importance of Hyper Personalisation: Learn about the importance of personalising the customer experience and explore essential tools for delivering a tailored service.
The Rise of Smart-Tech in Hotel Kitchens: Discover how smart technology is revolutionising the culinary world with intelligent kitchen appliances and devices that streamline cooking processes, optimise resource management, and improve overall efficiency.
Using Data to Unlock Revenue Opportunities: Explore how collecting, analysing, and interpreting data can provide valuable insights into customer preferences, operational efficiency, and market trends.
Benefits of Instant Booking Engines: Find out how adding instant booking engines can lead to more bookings, higher revenue, and happier guests.
Get your free copy here.
Lauren Hall is the CEO and Founder of iVvy, a a renowned software company that provides automation and cloud-based technology to help venues fill their function calendars and planners create unforgettable events. Lauren’s passion for entrepreneurship and over 25 years of business management experience at the executive and board levels make her a highly successful businesswoman. She has built multiple companies from startup to strategic and financial exit in various industries, including manufacturing, retail, advertising and technology, both in South Africa and Australia. Lauren co-founded iVvy in 2009 and has since overseen its growth to 10,000+ clients in 13 countries, expanding to New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America.
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