In the world of hospitality,
technology has ceased to be an accessory and has become the core of our daily operations. From reservation management and guest experience to revenue management and digital marketing, everything is powered by technological tools. And here is a surprising lesson I have learned:
teenagers are our best teachers in this field.
More than once, when a technology issue arises at home or at work, who do we turn to?
The younger generation. They have an innate ability to navigate and master technology, not because they possess superior technical knowledge, but because they are not afraid of the unknown. They see technology as a playground, while many of us, as hospitality leaders, tend to approach it with caution, fearing that we might make mistakes.
This mindset of
fearless exploration is exactly what we need to embrace as hospitality professionals. Rather than delegating every technology issue to the IT team or ignoring a new digital trend, we need to dive in and understand, at least at a high level, how emerging technologies can transform our business. While we do not need to know how to code software or build artificial intelligence, it is vital that we understand
the impact and opportunities they offer us.
What Can We Learn from “Tech-Savvy Teenagers”?
1. Do not be afraid to experiment.
When a teenager picks up a new phone or gadget, they rarely consult the manual. They simply explore it. And while they may make mistakes or accidentally delete something important, every error is a learning opportunity. As hoteliers, we need to adopt that same mindset. It is perfectly normal for a new reservation management platform to seem confusing at first. What matters is having the confidence to explore it and learn as we go.
2. Stay current every day.
The world of technology changes at a dizzying pace. But that does not mean we need to spend hours every day trying to catch up with every new trend. It is enough to devote a few minutes a day to reading an article about technology trends, listening to a podcast or, better yet, speaking with young people who are already using these tools. The World Economic Forum indicates that 50% of workers will need to reskill in technology by 2025, and we, as hospitality leaders, are no exception.
