KeyLime Cove to be Cashless

A brand new type of vacation destination is being built in Illinois that includes a 65,000 sq. ft. indoor water park and 414 room hotel. What makes this venture so unique though is that the property will utilize RFID technology in order to eliminate cash transactions. Each guest will receive RFID equipped bracelets that carry a guest’s information. Guests can simply wave their wrist in front of readers to charge food and beverage to their folio or even open up their hotel room. In order to keep younger guests from having complete power over their spending, the hotel allows parents to deposit money into their children’s RFID accounts and limit their spending. Kids may use their money for food, drinks, games, and shopping on property. Parents can easily deposit money into their children’s accounts by using kiosks that will accept cash, credit cards, or existing credit on account.

At many amusement parks pictures are snapped while guests enjoy rides and then are offered for sale afterwards. Thanks to the RFID technology each guest’s picture will be linked to their bracelet so that they can quickly and easily pull up their pictures on display kiosks after the ride. The bracelets also interface with games in a huge arcade so that they can play games without any cash on hand as well.

RFID technology in my opinion is the next big technology to be utilized in the US. It can be used to track shipping, inventory, and as we see here people and their habits. This technology fits perfectly with the indoor resort concept because having to carry cash or credit cards is undesirable when you are riding a waterslide and running around all day. Allowing this kind of freedom to guests will surely increase satisfaction and allow for more efficient movements around the property. Eliminating cash from transaction creates a more secure business with hardly any opportunity for employee theft of money. Parents should feel safer as well because they know what their kids are spending money on and how much they spend.

As for the property, I hope that the RFID system is tied into a type of tracking system that will allow for the company to analyze purchase patterns of people based on age, demographics, and several other factors. This should lead to a better understanding of guest behavior by segment. With this knowledge in hand, the company should be able to better market to previous guests by creating packages that are tailored to their past activity. I definitely see RFID technology becoming a standard in resort and cruise ship operations. Often people carry cards but this would create an even easier way to carry around your method of payment and identification. It will definitely make a big splash in the near future.

Unknown. (January 10, 2008). KeyLime Cove to be Cashless. Hotel Motel Management. Retrieved January 21, 2008, from http://www.hotelmotel.com/hotelmotel/News+Wire%3A+Technology/KeyLime-Cove-to-
be-cashless/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/483517?contextCategoryId=37264