Smart IoT Hotel System for Malmo Hotel with the support of StarGrowth Project.

About StarGrowth

The European Union has been aiming for sustainable development for nearly 20 years, and the European Green Deal is the roadmap to make the EU’s economy sustainable. The SME Strategy for a Sustainable and Digital Europe also recognizes that capacity building and support to SMEs is key to transition to sustainability and digitalization. Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors, contributing to 11% of the EU’s GDP and 11.2% of total EU employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an acute and pervasive effect on the tourism sector. Rural destinations and ecotourism have emerged as the most attractive options in the wake of the pandemic, bringing many potential benefits such as seasonality mitigation, promotion of local economies, protection of natural capital, and enhancement of environmental awareness. Therefore, the Star Growth project will focus on supporting the transition to sustainability and digitalisation of rural tourism and ecotourism SMEs in 6 countries, providing customized support services and training for the sustainable and slow development of these sectors.

Customer: Malmo Hotel, Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Objective:

The objective of the project was to optimize the hotel’s operations by building upon its existing technology infrastructure. Over recent years, we identified several areas that required additional data monitoring, control, and automation to reduce energy and resource consumption, enhance sustainability, and improve the guest experience.

Solution Provided:

• LoRaWAN Gateway(s)

  • Deployed to establish wireless coverage throughout the hotel using the LoRaWAN protocol, enabling long-range, low-power communication with smart devices.

• Temperature Sensor(s)

  • Installed in refrigeration units to monitor proper temperature levels and reduce food waste.

• Water Leakage Sensor(s)

  • Detect abnormal water flow or leaks early to prevent water waste and infrastructure damage.

• Gas Detection Sensor(s)

  • Installed in key indoor areas to provide real-time alerts in case of gas presence, enhancing guest safety and emergency preparedness.

• Indoor Air Quality Sensor(s)

  • Monitor parameters such as CO₂, PMs, temperature, UV radiation, etc., for both guest comfort and real-time information display.

• System Central Control Unit(s)

  • Tablet IoT Display provided hotel staff with mobile access to dashboards and system controls, enabling real-time monitoring and manual overrides from anywhere on the premises.

• Web Platform & Mobile Application

  • CyRIC IoT Web Platform and CyRIC IoT Mobile Application

Results

• Financial Sustainability

  • Resource use optimization significantly lowered energy and water bills, reducing operational expenses and supporting reinvestment.

• Energy Sustainability

  • The automation of utility systems reduced energy waste and carbon emissions, strengthening the hotel’s long-term environmental responsibility.

• Competitiveness

  • The visibility of the hotel’s air quality and sustainability achievements helped differentiate it in the competitive rural and ecotourism sector.

  • Guests responded positively to the improved environment and the hotel’s transparency, leading to better reviews and increased customer retention.

  • The project contributed to Cyprus’s broader tourism sustainability agenda by setting an example of digital transformation in hospitality.