The Handy smartphone, a device provided to hotel guests that offers free phone calls and mobile data, is on track to be available in 1 million hotel rooms worldwide by the end of this year. The product is well known to travelers in Hong Kong, where Tink Labs, the company behind Handy, is headquartered.
Handy enables guests to make unlimited local and international calls and to use mobile data during their stay. The device can also create a Wi-Fi hotspot so guests can connect other devices such as their own smartphone, tablet, or laptop, without incurring roaming charges.
“We’ve seen rapid adoption of Handy devices and are on track to exceed our global expansion plans for placing units in 1 million hotel rooms this year,” said Terence Kwok, chief executive officer and founder of Tink Labs. “Guests appreciate free calling and local insights that help them experience the destination like a resident. Hoteliers benefit by staying connected to guests and enhancing their stay, which in turn drives higher on-property sales of services.”
As part of its expansion strategy, Tink Labs plans to deploy Handy devices in 500,000 European hotel rooms, with approximately one quarter of those units expected to be installed in the United Kingdom by the end of 2017. The device is already present in 20 major cities and is used by nearly 25 percent of hotels in London.
The smartphones are provided to guests at no charge and can be customized by hotels to feature property information, including dining, spa services, and local recommendations. Hotels can also push special offers and promotions directly to the device, a capability the company says boosts ancillary revenue while improving guest satisfaction. Many hoteliers view the Handy device as an essential amenity that enhances the overall guest experience.