Digital identification also ideal for the hotel sector

Smart, fast and simple

FastID offers the possibility of creating a secure, digital identity on one's own mobile phone. Thanks to facial recognition, fast and secure access at connected companies and organisations can then be achieved. Ideal for events, airports, and certainly also for the hotel sector.

At Amsterdam's Albus hotel, innovation is in the DNA. In 2017, for instance, it was the first CO2-free hotel in Europe from existing buildings. Patty van der Meer, sales and marketing manager at the Albus, says: "We are always open to innovations. For that reason, FastID knocked on our door and we started looking at how we could apply their development in digital identification and verification within our hotel." 

Understanding the concept

What sparked the interest of Van der Meer and the team? "The team can focus more on the service and the guest on their work visit or holiday. After all, fewer administrative operations are needed. However, it is important to first understand the concept and what benefits are involved." The concept was conceived by Albert van der Veen, co-founder and CEO of FastID. It was during his work at both the Schiphol Group and ING that the idea arose to check an identity in a more efficient way, without infringing on privacy. This is possible thanks in part to rapid developments in identification and facial recognition. In doing so, the company is responding to people's increasing need to be able to manage their personal data completely independently. Van der Meer: "Users can quickly gain access to an event, airport or hotel room using the digital identity on their own phone. This is possible thanks to FastID's app that reads the chip from your passport once to then create a digital ID. The data remains available only on the phone and is not stored anywhere else. In this way, users always have their digital ID with them. A solution that is smart, fast and simple." 

Easy identification

Chrystel Credo, country manager at FastID explains further. "A digital approach can be hugely important, but, according to Albert van der Veen, had to be much simpler. Users can arrange everything from home." As FastID, we don't see the data entered by the customer anywhere. There is no central database where information is stored. Everything is confined to the user's phone." Van der Meer adds. "When they arrive at our hotel, they can immediately enjoy their stay and open the room door using the FastID app."

Advantages

The company, founded in 2021, hopes that soon more parties in various sectors will start using this technology. So also in the hotel industry. "It has many advantages for both our guests and the team," Van der Meer reveals. "Travelling should be relaxed. People are happy when they arrive at the destination and don't feel like looking for their passports or filling in forms. With a simple click on the app, they can confirm their check-in. For the business traveller, who may be delayed, it means they can freshen up in their room faster before an appointment. Everyone always has their mobile phone in their pocket. As a hotel, this means we don't have to deal with polluted data in our system, for instance due to typing errors, or the unnecessary printing of registration forms and the unnecessary issuing of key cards. As part of the circular economy, we are already making huge strides with this by significantly reducing the use of paper and plastic. As a co-founder of the Green Hotel Club, that aspect is hugely important to us."

Looking to the future, FastID expects to expand this technology further. So more applications of the digital ID and more user convenience. Credo: "We notice that interest in digital identification is growing. There are so many advantages and many industries are striving for security, speed and accuracy. These are exactly the aspects FastID stands for."