New Zealand’s hospitality sector has gradually integrated robots into its operations over the past two years, particularly in hotels and restaurants.
The Sudima hotel chain, managed by Auckland-based Hind Management, utilises a team of robots valued at over $200,000. According to Marketing Director Dzin Alekzander, these robots perform various tasks throughout the hotel.
“We currently have eight in total. Five are what are called BellaBots, two are FlashBots, and one is called a CC1,” Alekzander said.
The hotel’s BellaBots work in its restaurant spaces, FlashBots manage room services, and the CC1 robots serve as vacuum cleaning robots.
As these robots do not need induction, training, staff meals, or breaks, they can help the hotel save both time and money. However, some employees are concerned that robots might replace their jobs.
Alekzander stated that while permanent employees are secure in their positions, the introduction of robots may result in fewer job opportunities for seasonal ones.
“The robots aren’t there to replace existing people; what it does mean is that when we gear up for our busier periods, we may not need to employ quite as many temporary staff for that period,” he said.
Robots may not take over the industry in the immediate future, but Alekzander emphasised that they are certainly here to stay.
In 2023, a hotel revealed that it is saving approximately $90,000 annually in labour costs. However, despite the financial advantages, businesses in the hospitality sector should not aim to eliminate staff entirely; instead, they should view robots as just another operational tool.
“We are in hospitality; we do pride ourselves on delivering hospitality experiences, which will always need human beings and human interaction,” Hospitality and Tourism Executive David Allott said.
“I genuinely don’t see a day where we will replace that human connection with a robot 100%.”
“I really believe people look for that hospitality experience, and that is a human experience,” he added.