AI Industry & Applications · 2026-09-03 · 02:36
Singapore hotels to access grants for AI concierge solutions
In Brief
Hotels can access productivity grants to adopt AI concierge solutions for handling routine guest tasks. This aims to address manpower crunch and free up staff for guest engagement.
Why it matters Singapore uses subsidies to incentivize hotels to adopt AI concierge to address staff shortages; this subsidy-for-technology pathway may spread to more labour-intensive service industries
Readable transcript
Caption language: en · Fetched: 2026-09-04
In other news, hotels can soon access a productivity grant starting with adopting AI concierge solutions. For example, these can handle routine tasks and certain requests from guests. It's to address manpower crunch and at the same time free up existing staff to spend more time engaging guests. The authorities are calling for the building of more productive and future-ready hotels. Ivy Chok checks out one that's already putting AI to work. >> At this hotel along Waterloo Street, tech runs quietly in the background. From digital check-in counters to automated service robots and smart room features. >> Certainly, the curtains are opened. >> So, I've just checked in and I realized I forgot my toothbrush. Normally, that would take a call to the front desk, but over here at Hotel Waterloo, things are a little bit different. Watch this.
Hello, AI. Can I get a toothbrush? >> Are you requesting toothbrush? >> Minutes later, the toothbrush arrives delivered by a robot. It's one less task for staff. The hotel is also looking to use AI for financial and marketing analysis. >> AI rostering is one of the part that we're looking at in in view of current rostering is also very tough and when when someone on urgent leave or on on on sudden MC, then the rostering become a wire. So, they have to reschedule again. So, we are looking at AI and automated rostering systems. Right. >> From 1st November, hotels will be able to tap funding for industry-specific tech solutions with simpler applications, faster approvals, and quicker implementation. This was announced at an industry conference. However, the authorities point out that human touch remains key in hospitality.
>> To support this, STB will introduce service quality master classes in partnership with quality assurance institutions. STB and Singapore Hotel Association will also roll out service excellence training programs. These master classes will equip hoteliers with practical skills to consistently deliver high standards of hospitality. >> The STB or Singapore Tourism Board has also launched an AI playbook for tourism to guide hotels in the tech transformation and prepare workers for such operations.
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