Tourism & Hospitality News

Over 53% of travelers now demand permanent contactless services, according to Oracle+Skift research. Contactless technology isn't a temporary pandemic adaptation anymore; it's a permanent guest expectation reshaping hospitality careers fundamentally. Mobile check-in, digital room keys, app-based service requests, and touchless payments define modern luxury hotel operations. Hospitality professionals lacking digital competency face career stagnation while tech-savvy colleagues advance rapidly. The good news? These critical contactless hotel skills are entirely learnable with focused effort. Why Contactless Technology Became Non-Negotiable The pandemic accelerated adoption, but convenience keeps contactless services permanent. Guests appreciate efficiency, control, and friction-free experiences. Younger travelers especially expect seamless digital integration throughout their hotel stays. Properties investing in contactless infrastructure gain competitive advantages, attracting ...

Travelers aren't asking "where should we go?" anymore; they're asking "why are we going?" This fundamental shift, dubbed the "whycation" by Hilton's 2026 Trends Report, is transforming how hotels operate and what skills hospitality professionals need. Purpose-driven travel prioritizes emotional motivations—rest, reconnection, meaningful experiences—over mere destination selection. For hotel workers, understanding whycations isn't optional anymore; it's essential for career survival and advancement in modern hospitality. Understanding the Whycation Movement Traditional vacation planning started with destinations. Travelers chose Paris, Bali, or New York, then figured out activities. Whycations reverse this logic entirely. Modern travelers identify their emotional needs first—seeking solitude, family bonding, personal growth, or cultural immersion, then select destinations supporting those intentions. Research from a Hilton surveying 14,...