The UK hospitality sector is facing a staffing crunch, with front desk vacancies nearly 50% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Into that gap steps FLAE Robotics’ AI-powered receptionist, BE-A Virtual, which officially launches in UK hotels this autumn.
First unveiled at Hospitality Expo London, BE-A Virtual has already proven its chops in the Czech Republic, where it automates up to 85% of routine front desk tasks. By answering guest queries, managing bookings, and processing special requests around the clock, it promises hotels a 40–60% reduction in front desk labor costs.
AI with real teeth
Unlike conventional chatbots, BE-A Virtual integrates directly with property management systems like Oracle, MEWS, and SABRE. This lets it operate as a true AI agent, with access to live data to assign rooms, confirm bookings, and perform other operational tasks. For hotels, this isn’t just a virtual concierge—it’s an autonomous workforce member that can manage multiple channels, including email, web chat, and WhatsApp.
Currently, BE-A Virtual handles text-based interactions, but a voice-enabled version, BE-A Voice, is planned before year-end to take over telephone communications. By 2026, FLAE Robotics aims to launch BE-A Avatar, a physical receptionist capable of complete front desk duties and in-person guest interaction.
Designed by hoteliers, for hoteliers
Filip Linek, founder of FLAE Robotics and owner of the luxury PECR Hotels group in the Czech Republic, emphasizes that BE-A is not intended to replace human staff. “We created BE-A out of necessity—not to replace people, but because we couldn’t find them,” Linek said. The AI takes over repetitive administrative tasks, freeing staff to focus on personalized guest engagement and restoring high-quality service in a sector stretched thin.
The technology reflects a growing trend in hospitality: smart automation paired with human oversight to increase efficiency without sacrificing service quality. As hotels grapple with rising labor costs and higher guest expectations, tools like BE-A Virtual could become a strategic necessity rather than a novelty.
Bottom line
FLAE Robotics’ BE-A Virtual offers UK hotels a practical, scalable AI solution at a time when staffing shortages threaten both operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. By blending AI with existing hotel management systems, it signals a shift toward intelligent automation that supports, rather than replaces, human workers—a possible template for the future of hospitality worldwide.
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