E-learning in the hotel industry has become a popular alternative to face-to-face training for hotel staff, especially since the coronavirus pandemic. However, one thing has not yet sunk in for everyone: E-learning is not just a digital alternative to lectures and seminars. Read on to find out how e-learning is used in the hotel industry today and how you too can use innovative tools for the further training of your employees.

Classic e-learning does not work in the hotel industry

There are many e-learning formats that cater to different learning types and target groups. Nevertheless, most of them are designed for office employees with a desk. The day-to-day work in the hotel industry usually does not allow for spending several hours at a laptop for further training. Therefore, training days are set up for this purpose. However, intensive training days with a high density of information do not always bear fruit. New technologies make it possible to impart knowledge closer to the everyday work of so-called first-line workers.

New technologies for training hotel staff

Especially in recent years, there have been numerous technical and conceptual innovations when it comes to e-learning. We would like to introduce three of them here:

Blended Learning

Face-to-face learning and digital learning are not mutually exclusive. Tools such as a learning app are a sensible addition to face-to-face events. Information from events is conveyed in an appealing way and can be accessed by participants at any time from their mobile devices (e.g., smartphone or tablet).

Microlearning

This learning method relies on a concept of short and concise learning content. Individual lessons last only a few minutes and are designed with multimedia: through texts, videos, audio recordings, photos, quizzes, or simulations. By using practical examples and simulations, learning is geared towards practical application. The learning modules can be played online on any mobile device. This makes this method particularly interesting for all those employees who are on the move a lot and do not have a desk workplace.

Mobile-First

Mobile-first solutions in e-learning refer to learning platforms that have been developed specifically for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile devices are more flexible and user-friendly, so that learning can also take place on the go or in between in short breaks.

These solutions rely on "responsive design" and ensure that learning content can be optimally accessed and viewed on various devices with different screen sizes. They take the limitations of mobile internet connections into account, optimize page loading times, and primarily use content in video or audio format to reduce text content. This ensures a wider reach for the training offered and provides a better user experience.

How to use e-learning in your staff training in the hotel

Thanks to new technologies and approaches to e-learning, there is a wide variety of possible applications. We would like to introduce some of them to you here.

Colleagues training colleagues

The best knowledge comes from "insiders." This refers to experienced colleagues who know useful tips, tricks, and techniques. This knowledge can be shared through simple smartphone videos. Recording the individual work steps and adding a few explanatory words is enough for this. Once recorded and uploaded to the learning platform, these can be accessed by colleagues again and again. This way, knowledge is shared meaningfully within the company without cost- and time-intensive training days.

Documenting work processes

Work processes can be easily documented through video recordings. In a learning app, this documentation is available to every employee. How an activity is to be carried out correctly is thus recorded and employees can always refer back to it in case of questions or doubts.

Simplifying mandatory training

Hygiene training, occupational safety, food safety: These topics are mandatory and are therefore trained frequently. The content mostly remains the same and is only updated in the event of changes in the law. Therefore, these topics in particular are ideal for e-learning in the hotel industry. With our integrated course library, you make this learning content available to all employees without having to create content yourself.

Onboarding of new team members

E-learning content is particularly useful for newcomers. They can retrieve information themselves again and again. This reduces the costs for expensive induction training and saves time for the existing staff, who no longer have to answer questions as frequently.

Conclusion: Digital staff training for hotels

E-learning in the hotel industry is a great opportunity for the sector. Through the use of innovative tools, employees are trained more effectively and work performance is improved. Would you also like to use e-learning in your hotel business? Contact our experts for a non-binding and free consultation.