Those who are considering traveling or moving abroad should consider that the hospitality industry may look far different from the way it looks today. Stephen V. Mooney, a hospitality business specialist who has worked for companies such as Choice Hotels, Thunderbird Resorts International, AmeriSuites, and Wyndham Worldwide for the last twenty-plus years, explains what future travelers can expect from the hospitality industry in the next decade.
Stephen V. Mooney is inclined to agree with experts who state that, by the year 2030, about one-quarter of “employees” in the hospitality industry will be robots. The use of artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly popular even before 2020; however, events of the last two years have significantly accelerated the trend. The worker shortage has had a huge impact on the industry as former employees search out jobs that pay better and do not require regular contact with potentially sick people. Travelers are likewise leery of coming in close contact with those who have been in close contact with hundreds of other travelers, so the use of robots to handle tasks such as room cleaning, check-in, and checkout will likely be welcomed by business owners in the hospitality industry and their clients alike. However, Stephen V. Mooney notes, that this doesn’t mean employees will lose work. In fact, the transition benefits them too as businesses catering to a high-end clientele will offer high-paying jobs to those who have the “soft skills” needed to offer personalized help and assistance to clients. Rather than handling mundane, potentially dangerous tasks, workers in the hospitality industry will be able to focus on helping people enjoy their stay at the hotel to the fullest.
Authenticity and uniqueness are also trending and will continue to do so, Stephen V. Mooney explains. Travelers, especially those paying for luxury services and/or accommodations, want a culturally unique experience. They expect to see local products and dietary options rather than mass-produced products. They want to see unique activities not typically offered by hotels in other cities. They want staff members to anticipate their needs before a request for certain services is made. Mooney predicts that businesses that focus on creating a unique, authentic ambiance will perform well both now and in the future.
While it’s impossible to accurately predict every single detail of the future, Stephen V. Mooney’s decades of experience in the hospitality industry, coupled with his experience living in several countries around the world and visiting over twenty-five more, make him an expert that hospitality companies should seriously consider. His prediction that robotics and AI will become an integral part of the hospitality industry in the near future is backed up by other experts in the field. Furthermore, research is clearly showing that consumers crave authenticity, and making moves to create a sustainable, authentic ambiance that incorporates local customs, foods, and activities is almost certain to be worth the work and expense.