Can virtual reality take on dreamlike dimensions? It happened to me, and I would like to tell you about it.
On a cool early summer morning, I left Rome for a business trip. Reaching my destination after a somewhat heavy journey, I couldn't wait to get to my hotel to rest a bit before dinner.
When I arrived at reception, a young lady 'imprisoned' in a screen, smiled kindly at me. I introduced myself as follows: 'Good evening, I have a reservation in the name of Palmiro Noschese'.
The lady, still smiling from the screen, replied: 'Good evening, Mr Noschese! Welcome to our hotel. I have found your reservation. Your room is room 305. Would you like to check in now?
"Yes, please."
"Perfect. I have completed the check-in. Your key card has been sent to your mobile app. You can use your smartphone to access the room. Need assistance with luggage?"
'No, thanks. I only have a trolley. How do I get to my room?"
"As you exit the lift on the third floor, you will have to turn right. Your room will be the third door on the left. Can I help you in any other way?
"No, thank you. It's OK."
"Please, Mr Noschese. If you need anything, you can contact our service team via the hotel app. Enjoy your stay!
Impressed by the extreme efficiency of the virtual receptionist, I reached my room, opening the lock with the electronic key downloaded onto my smartphone.
Virtual welcome, real comfort
When I arrived at my room, I heard a friendly voice welcoming me, asking me what I could do to make my stay pleasant.
"Could you turn down the lights and turn on the TV, please?"
"Of course. I'll dim the lights and turn on the TV. Would you like to watch any particular channel or would you prefer to explore the options?"
"I would like to see the news, please."
"I have selected the news channel for you. Is there anything else I can do?"
"Yes, I would like to order a coffee. Is that possible?"
"Sure, coffee will be brought to your room in a few minutes. Would you like to add something to your order?
"No, just the coffee. I need to recover. Thank you."
"You're welcome. The coffee is on its way." Indeed, not even five minutes and the coffee was promptly delivered by an efficient mini-robot, complete with tray.
"Thanks for the coffee. I would like to make a dinner reservation at the hotel restaurant for 8pm. Is that possible?"
"Of course. I have booked a table for you at the hotel restaurant at 7pm. Would you prefer a table by the window or in a more private area?"
"By the window, please."
"Perfect, the table by the window is reserved for you. You will have a wonderful view of the city from there. May I assist you in any other way?"
"No, thank you. That will be all for now."
The virtual waiter
The surprises, of course, did not end there. At the restaurant, in fact, I met a friendly robot, complete with livery, who greeted me, greeting me cordially.
"Good evening, I have a reservation in the name of Noschese"
"Good evening, Mr Noschese. Your table is ready. I will accompany you." And, moving with ease, the robot led me to the table. "Would you like to start with an aperitif?"
"Yes, a prosecco, please."
'Good choice. Here's the menu. When ready to order, just call me via the tablet on the table."
I think at least the chef was for real, as I requested some variations on the dishes on the menu and everything was perfect, but I am not too sure. However, I certainly couldn't complain about the service.
Back in my room, I again found my faithful assistant ready to switch the TV on for me. However, I was so tired that I actually went straight to setting the instructions for the next day.
"Assistant, wake me up tomorrow morning at 7:00 and order breakfast in the room by 7:30. I would like a continental breakfast."
Quick and punctual, he confirmed: "Wake up set for 7am and continental breakfast ordered for 7.30am. Anything else I can do?"
"No, that's all. Good night."
"Good night, Mr Noschese. If you need anything during the night, I'm here to help."
So I fell asleep.
The return to reality
The alarm clock went off and when I woke up, naturally in my bed, I had the impression that I had travelled through time. I had, in short, a glimpse of the future and I then asked myself: 'If we were able to form machines so that they knew our desires and could fulfil them, how could we not invest the same resources in forming human beings? At what point did we prefer the machine to man? The Tourism has entered the metaversebut can he ever get out of it?"
But then I breathed a sigh of relief. This is 2024, and we still have plenty of opportunities to win back resources, young and old, and make them fall in love again with the most beautiful profession in the world. Virtual assistants? They will certainly be able to give us a hand in profiling customers so that we can really fulfil their wishes. Virtual reality, at this stage, still represents an opportunityand it is up to us not to turn it into a threat.
We can do this if we direct the 'game' and ensure that it is always the warmth of our smile that accompanies the welcome for those who cross the threshold of our hotel.
English (UK) 
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