Incode and Hoteza Partner to Launch Biometric Hotel Self-Check-In for Global Hospitality Brands

Incode Technologies and Hoteza have partnered to integrate biometric identity verification into the hotel check-in process. For fintech professionals, this represents a significant expansion of secure, automated authentication into the hospitality sector, leveraging facial recognition and OCR to streamline high-friction transactions while reducing the operational burden on hotel staff and improving security.

What was announced

Incode is integrating its identity verification platform into the Hoteza Guest Journey Platform, a cloud-based content management system. This allows guests at more than 500 hotels globally—including major brands like Hilton, Radisson, and Kempinski—to complete check-in procedures remotely. The system uses Incode’s FaceMatch facial recognition technology and optical character recognition (OCR) to verify identities via email or other digital channels before the guest arrives at the property. The solution covers multiple security layers, including ID capture, liveness detection, passport validation, and credit card enrollment. By moving these high-friction processes to a secure self-service model, hotels aim to eliminate front-desk queues and free up staff for hospitality-focused tasks. This integration is part of a broader momentum for Incode, which recently introduced "Incode Workflow" to help businesses customize user experiences based on risk levels. The partnership also builds on Incode's existing efforts in the financial space, such as its October 2022 collaboration with Sardine to prevent fraudulent financial activities.

"We were looking for the best and the most secure partner to work with on our Self-Check-In solution, and we are thrilled to partner with Incode,"

Nikolay Beloshitsky, Hoteza CEO

The companies involved

Incode Technologies is a next-generation identity verification and authentication platform designed for global enterprises. Led by Founder & CEO Ricardo Amper, the company focuses on creating seamless, contactless experiences through advanced biometric technology. Its suite of tools is designed to service various dimensions of the hospitality industry, including resorts and hotels, by automating the verification of sensitive documents and biometric data. Hoteza provides smart communication systems specifically for the hospitality sector. Its interactive, guest-facing platform is controlled via a single cloud-based content management system. Hoteza’s product suite includes Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) solutions, mobile and in-room tablet applications, digital signage, and high-speed internet access. The company positions itself as a provider of modern guest experiences, focusing on the "Guest Journey" from pre-arrival to checkout. By partnering with Incode, Hoteza adds a critical layer of security and automation to its existing suite of entertainment and communication tools, catering to a portfolio that includes some of the world's largest hotel chains.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously tracked Incode’s expansion into the hospitality sector and its warnings regarding the evolving threat landscape. In 2022, the publication covered how Hudini and Incode Technologies Enter Strategic Partnership to Digitally Transform the Hospitality Experience, a move similar to the Hoteza deal aimed at digitizing the guest journey. More recently, the company has highlighted the risks of sophisticated cyberattacks, with FF News reporting that Agentic Fraud to Exceed 90% of All Attacks by 2028 as Incode Warns of AI-Driven Surge. These reports underscore Incode's dual focus on enhancing user experience while fortifying platforms against increasingly automated fraud.

What this means

This partnership signals a maturing of biometric applications outside of traditional banking and border control. As hospitality brands like Hilton and Radisson adopt these technologies, the pressure mounts on legacy hotel groups to modernize or risk losing tech-savvy travelers to more efficient competitors. However, the reliance on facial recognition in a public-facing service industry raises ongoing questions about data privacy and the "creep factor" of biometrics in leisure environments. For the fintech sector, this move demonstrates how KYC and authentication technologies are becoming invisible infrastructure, moving from a security hurdle to a core component of the customer service value proposition.