Revolutionizing Hospitality with Phygital Innovations | WSO2Con Barcelona 2025



AI Summary

Overview of Hilton’s Fital Innovations in Hospitality

  • Speaker Introduction:
    • Senior Director of Customer Platform Security at Hilton.
    • Expertise in consumer identity security, with 44 approved patents.
  • Hilton Overview:
    • Global hospitality company with 24 brands, 8,400 properties, and over 1.25 million rooms across 140 countries.
    • Celebrated 100th anniversary in 2018.
    • 210 million Hilton Honors members.
  • Definition of ‘Fital’:
    • A blend of physical and digital experiences post-COVID.
    • Aimed at enhancing customer journey through digital innovations.
  • Customer Engagement Channels:
    • Direct: Hilton’s website and mobile apps (iOS, Android, and China-specific).
    • Indirect: Online travel agencies (OTAs).

Fital Innovations Discussed

  1. Seamless Room Booking:
    • Easy navigation based on different vacation types.
    • Integrated special rates and personalized profiles for members.
  2. Digital Check-In:
    • Notification sent prior to stay; guests choose rooms based on available options.
    • Requirement for secure payment authentication (PSD2 compliance).
  3. Digital Key Experience:
    • Key delivered through app; can access not just rooms but also common areas.
    • Secure unlocking via Bluetooth with cryptography.
    • Digital key sharing feature available for family and friends.
  4. Automatic Elevator Unlock:
    • Automatically unlocks elevator access based on user’s proximity.
  5. API Management & Security:
    • Use of WSO2 for identity server and API management.
    • Daily API call volume between 1.5 billion to 3 billion.

Future Innovations

  • Exploring passwordless authentication, behavioral biometrics, and modernizing API authorization standards.

  • Ongoing commitment to improving security measures and user experience across all platforms.

Conclusion

  • Hilton leverages technology to enhance the overall guest experience while maintaining robust security protocols.