ITB Rewind: AI’s True Power Lies in Empowering Hospitality Staff
Custódio Barreiros, founder of EIP MGT GmbH, argues that AI's greatest potential isn't just in guest-facing technology—it's in enabling hotel employees to thrive. For years, the industry has focused on efficiency, automation, and cost-cutting, but at what cost? Hospitality is a people-driven business, and hotels must start treating the employee journey with the same importance as the guest journey.
AI can play a critical role in supporting staff rather than replacing them. From dynamic housekeeping checklists to real-time multilingual operational assistance, AI can ensure that employees have instant access to the tools they need to deliver better service and feel more confident in their roles. This shift isn't just about productivity—it's about staff retention, career growth, and rebuilding the industry"s workforce. As Barreiros puts it, happy employees create happy guests—and that"s the real formula for long-term success in hospitality.