How this change plays out will have distinct benefits for the future of hospitality and the associates who work in it, according to panelists who participated in the “Bourbon with the bosses” panel at the Hotel Data Conference co-hosted by STR and Hotel News Now.
Panelists said there is no doubt the pandemic has been a major influence on everyone's worldview, including new and future employees.
“It will be fascinating to see what the full impact of the pandemic will be on [Generation] Z, our future leaders. Our industry is expressive, and their recent experience might not have been,” said Erika Alexander, chief global officer of global operations at Marriott International.
Amanda Hite, president of STR — CoStar's hospitality analytics firm — said reaching younger generations requires creative thinking.
“How do you connect with people who grew up in a different world? TikTok videos?” Hite asked.