Did you find the hospitality industry, or did it find you?
The hospitality industry definitely found me. Growing up, I played tennis competitively. While attending college, I was a tennis teacher at several hotels to earn money to help pay my tuition. After a few summers, I fell in love with the business.
What is the importance of the hospitality industry, and how do you fit in?
Our mission is straightforward: to bring happiness to people. While this is easy to articulate, it’s often challenging to achieve. It’s crucial that we stay focused on this fundamental purpose and avoid letting competing priorities divert our attention.
What excites you most about the hospitality industry?
The hospitality industry is constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our guests. This dynamic nature makes it an exciting field, as no two days are ever the same.
What are the industry’s biggest challenges, and how can they be resolved? What is the industry doing well?
As an industry, we are very wasteful and can be damaging to our local environment. The good news is more and more brands are taking responsibility for leaving the world better than they found it. It is becoming commonplace for hotels to produce their electricity, ban single-use plastics, and repurpose their food waste. Regenerative Tourism is the future.
What do you envision for the future of the hospitality industry?
The concept of luxury hospitality will increasingly hinge on individual perspectives. Each guest’s idea of a luxury experience will be distinctly personal. Decisions will be influenced by perceived value and tailored one-of-a-kind experiences. Technology will play a greater role in simplifying processes and predicting guests’ needs. Guests are likely to favor genuine, personalized interactions from team members over impersonal, scripted standards. Ultimately, luxury will be reimagined through flawlessly delivered, intentional unpredictability.
