GS1 for Guest Experiences in Hospitality: A Complete Guide

GS1 for Guest Experiences in Hospitality: A Complete Guide

Guests' experience in the hospitality industry relates to the overall satisfaction and impression of guests during their time at a hotel or accommodation. It includes all contact points from the initial reservation to the ultimate departure, involving staff interactions, the quality of facilities, and the hotel’s atmosphere.

GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality has become a cornerstone for providing an excellent guest experience. It improves how things work in hotels and enhances the guest experience by making things more convenient, accessible, and secure.

Let's find out how to improve hotel guest experiences, from understanding what a great experience is to using GS1 technology for customer satisfaction.

Table of Contents

    1. What are guest experiences in the hospitality industry?
    2. Role of GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality
    3. Implementation of GS1 QR code for the hospitality industry
    4. Best practices for using GS1 hospitality QR code
    5. Future trends and innovations in GS1 standards for hospitality
    6. Enhance guest experiences in hospitality with GS1 QR codes

What are guest experiences in the hospitality industry?

The satisfaction of hotel guests, from the moment they arrive until the time they depart, significantly shapes their overall experience. This satisfaction is enhanced by various activities and interactions, such as the use of GS1 2D barcodes to facilitate seamless service and boost their enjoyment.

As a hotel owner, you guarantee that all guests feel welcome, that their requirements and desires are fulfilled, and that visitors' experiences surpass expectations. Providing an exceptional hotel guest experience is crucial for customer retention and steady income. A few guests may even develop long-term loyalty to your brand.

Importance of guest experiences 

The guest experience is important because everyone believes that 'the customer is always right.' By ensuring the satisfaction of your guests, you can draw in additional business and generate extra income.

The following are the top three reasons why it's essential to concentrate on preparing an exceptional guest experience.

Guest satisfaction

According to Tripadvisor data, as many as 81% of travelers often read reviews before booking accommodations, and 78% pay close attention to the most recent reviews.

People mainly write reviews to share positive experiences with other travelers, and it's crucial to meet travelers' expectations to keep them satisfied. 

Satisfied guests help manage your hotel's reputation positively and can also bring in more revenue through word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business.

Keep cost down

Keeping your visitors satisfied is crucial for attracting new potential visitors. Bain & Company's research indicates that acquiring a new visitor could cost 25-95% more if the current visitors are unsatisfied. 

Prioritizing visitor experience leads to higher visitor satisfaction, establishes lasting relationships with the right visitors, attracts new ones, and reduces costs.

Increased profit

The happier your visitors are, the more likely they will spend more money during their stay and book again in the future. When they come back, you can offer appealing extras to increase the profitability of each booking.

Furthermore, satisfied customers will share their experiences and provide online feedback. This feedback can assist you in securing additional bookings without having to allocate any of your marketing funds.

Role of GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality

In the hospitality industry, providing excellent experiences for guests is crucial. Guests want personalized service, high-quality products, and smooth interactions during their stay. GS1 standards are essential for achieving this.

GS1 is a global organization that creates standards for managing the supply chain, such as barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). These standards are crucial in the hospitality industry because they ensure smooth operations and directly affect the guest experience.

Improving inventory management for consistent service

One of the main ways GS1 QR code for hospitality improves guest experiences is through better inventory management. By using GS1 2D barcodes and RFID tags, hotels and restaurants can keep track of their supplies more smoothly. 

It means they can quickly restock items, ensure that products are fresh, and avoid running out of essentials. This restocking translates into consistent quality customer service for guests, whether having the right toiletries in the bathroom or ensuring that the favorite dish is available on the menu.

Guest services with GS1 standards

GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality also helps improve service personalization. By accurately tracking guest choices and past interactions, hospitality businesses can offer tailored services that make guests feel valued and understood. 

For example, a guest's preferred room setup, favorite snacks, or special dietary requirements can be automatically noted and prepared in advance.

Food safety and quality control

Moreover, GS1 standards ensure food safety and rigorous quality control. By using GS1 standards, businesses can quickly track the entire journey of food products. This tracking ensures that only high-quality and safe items are available to consumers.

In food safety issues, the GS1 QR code for food recalls allows businesses to quickly identify and remove affected products, minimizing consumer risk.  This commitment to food safety builds trust and significantly elevates the overall dining experience for customers.

GS1 barcodes for tracking

Implementation of GS1 QR code for the hospitality industry

Using GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality can improve guest experiences. Here are some simple steps for the implementation of these codes:


First, think about where GS1 QR codes can be useful. Common uses include:
  • Linking to digital menus.
  • Providing product details.
  • Enabling contactless payments.
  • Helping with guest check-ins.

Get the right tools

Invest in GS1 QR code generators and scanners that work with GS1 standards. Ensure your systems, like your Point of Sale (POS) or inventory management tools, can work with GS1 2D barcode technology.

Create and place GS1 QR codes

Start by creating GS1 QR codes for specific purposes, like showing a digital menu or providing product information. Place these GS1 digital link QR codes in easily accessible locations on restaurant tables, product packaging, or at the hotel check-in desk.

Train your staff

Ensure your team knows how to create, manage, and use GS1 2D barcodes. They should understand how the codes work and how to help guests use them.

Test and improve

Try using QR codes in a small part of your business, like in one restaurant or for one service. Get feedback from guests and staff, then improve before using GS1 2D barcodes more widely.

Best practices for using GS1 hospitality QR code

Here are the best practices for using GS1 barcodes in the hospitality to improve guest experiences:

Make it easy for guests

Some guests might not be familiar with scanning GS1 barcodes. To help, provide clear instructions, and have staff ready to assist guests. 

Design GS1 digital link QR codes so that they are easy for guests to scan. Make sure the links lead to mobile-friendly pages with clear, helpful information.

GS1 barcode for hospitality

Protect sensitive data

GS1 hospitality QR codes can link to different types of information, including GS1 QR codes for detailed product information. Therefore, it's important to keep sensitive data secure. Implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Integrating with existing systems

Making GS1 QR codes work with your current systems can be challenging. Work with IT professionals or GS1 experts to make sure everything integrates smoothly.

Keep information updated by GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality

Regularly update the content linked to your GS1 barcodes, like digital menus or product details, to ensure guests always have the most current information. Make sure someone is responsible for regularly reviewing and updating this data.

By carefully implementing GS1 barcodes, hospitality businesses can improve guest satisfaction and simplify operations.

In the hospitality industry, GS1 standards are becoming even more helpful as technology advances. The IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with GS1 offer exciting new possibilities.

IoT integration

IoT connects devices to the internet and allows them to send and receive data. When combined with GS1 standards, IoT enables real-time inventory tracking, automatic restocking, and smart rooms that adjust to guests' preferences.

For example, smart refrigerators in hotel kitchens could automatically order more supplies when running low, ensuring guests always have fresh food available.

AI and machine learning

AI can study the large amounts of data collected by GS1 QR codes for hospitality to spot trends and personalize guest experiences. AI could help a hotel determine what luxuries guests want based on their past stays so staff can prepare in advance and offer a better experience.

These technologies could change how GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality is used, making operations smoother and guest experiences more personalized and enjoyable.


Enhance guest experiences in hospitality with GS1 QR codes

Creating great guest experiences is crucial in the hospitality industry. This involves ensuring guests feel valued, receive personalized service, and have smooth interactions during their stay. These efforts are essential for encouraging repeat visits and building lasting loyalty.

GS1 for guest experiences in hospitality helps achieve this by smoothing operations, improving inventory management, and ensuring food safety and quality. By meeting guest expectations, these guidelines help businesses improve customer satisfaction and receive better reviews.

Hotels and other hospitality businesses can provide great guest experiences in today's digital world by using GS1 QR codes and staying updated with these trends.


DISCLAIMER: We acknowledge that GS1, as well as the materials, proprietary items, and all related patents, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property (collectively, “intellectual property”) relating to its use, are the property of GS1 Global, and that our use of the same shall be in accordance with the conditions provided by GS1 Global.