WHAT IS IT?
“Henn na” in Japanese can mean “strange” or “change“. The brand leans into the idea of being innovative and different, embracing futuristic tech and automation. They have different hotels in Japan where AI is not just a helpful tool but the main one.
For example in the Henn Na Haneda hotel in Tokyo there are at the front desk three different robots – two dinosaurs and one humanoid that welcome you. They speak various languages- like English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese- and support you while checking in.
There are also robots that help you with your luggage, AI assistants that respond to your voice commands, facial recognition… In Henn na is AI not just something attractive, it is used in the day-to-day life. All of these forms of AI make your time at Henn-na hotel a unique experience.
WHY IS IT COOL?
- It is highly Instagrammable as the robots themselves are already photo-worthy- especially the dinosaur- and there are moreover themed rooms with futuristic decor that make it popular on social media and travel blogs.
It even has robot fishes swimming in their fish tank! - It is a classic example of Digital Marketing, as by getting accommodated in the Henn na Hotel the guests buy the experience (when they pay for it), they enjoy it, advocate and bond with it, and then communicate about it while evaluating. While doing my “cool hunting” I have been able to see a lot of videos promoting this hotel; this makes it a clear example of sharing interest in the experience so other guests will feel driven to it and experience it too.
WHY DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
1. After COVID a lot of guests expect less human contact and are more comfortable with self-service and robotic help.
2. Robots can reduce the costs of staff in the long-term.
3. AI is improving everyday and gaining more popularity.
4. It’s a unique selling point that can be easily sold by influencers.
Johanna Mau
Ariadna Ramió Mateu
Eva Jannat
Luis Sanchez Ibarra
Diana Eid Dibos
Science of the Time