Wellness in Hospitality: An Interview with Adam MogelonskyWellness in Hospitality: An Interview with Adam Mogelonsky During HITEC 2024, Hospitality Net’s Simone Puorto had a one-on-one interview with Adam Mogelonsky, partner at Hotel Mogel Consulting. Introduction and Hotel Mogel Consulting’s Role Mogelonsky is a partner at Hotel Mogel Consulting, which helps luxury hotel owners and developers solve strategic problems in innovative ways. Their focus is on leveraging technology, optimizing labor, and finding new financial strategies for hospitality businesses. Broadening the Definition of Wellness Wellness is not limited to spas and gyms, Mogelonsky emphasizes. It encompasses food quality, employee well-being, mental health, and providing a sense of vitality and well-being throughout a guest’s stay. Wellness Integration Wellness can be incorporated into hotel operations based on budget and branding. For example, food can be treated as medicine, whether in upscale settings with organic, local ingredients or large convention hotels catering to thousands of guests. Employee Wellness Mogelonsky stresses the importance of treating staff like family to ensure long-term retention and satisfaction, especially amid the labor shortage. Travel and Wellness Travel can contribute to wellness by providing new experiences, perspectives, and meaningful interactions. Mogelonsky distinguishes between primary wellness travel, where guests seek wellness-specific destinations, and secondary wellness travel, where wellness activities are integrated into other trips. Industry Understanding and Opportunities Mogelonsky expresses frustration that the hospitality industry is slow to embrace the wellness concept, despite its potential. Studies from the Global Wellness Institute and McKinsey highlight opportunities in wellness, including direct-to-consumer products, health clinics, and wellness communities. Challenges and Responsibilities Mogelonsky emphasizes that lifestyle factors, not genetics, play a crucial role in health and longevity. He criticizes ultra-processed foods and advocates for healthy, natural food options for guests. The Essence of Hospitality Mogelonsky reminds the industry that hospitality is about taking care of people, turning adversaries into friends. This concept can be applied metaphorically to the modern hospitality industry. Conclusion Mogelonsky highlights the importance of integrating wellness into all aspects of hospitality. By broadening the definition of wellness and focusing on guest and employee well-being, hotels can create more meaningful and fulfilling experiences.
In a recent one-on-one interview recorded during the HITEC 2024 event in Charlotte, Hospitality Net’s Simone Puorto spoke with Adam Mogelonsky, partner at Hotel Mogel Consulting. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, where we engage with a wide range of speakers, exhibitors, and attendees to provide deep insights into the latest trends and innovations in the industry. Mogelonsky shared his perspectives on wellness in the hospitality industry, the importance of employee well-being, and innovative strategies for luxury hotel owners and developers.
Introduction and role of Hotel Mogel Consulting
Adam Mogelonsky introduces himself as a partner at Hotel Mogel Consulting, where he works primarily with luxury hotel owners and developers to solve strategic problems in unconventional ways. His focus is on leveraging technology, optimizing labor, and finding new financial strategies to grow businesses in the hospitality industry.
Broadening the definition of well-being
Mogelonsky emphasizes that wellness is a broad and multifaceted concept that extends beyond the traditional notions of spas and gyms. He argues that wellness should be integrated into all aspects of hotel operations and guest experiences. Wellness encompasses food quality, employee well-being, mental health, and providing a sense of vitality and well-being 24/7.
Integrating wellness into hotel activities
Wellness can be tailored to different aspects of hotel operations based on budget and branding. For example, food can be seen as medicine, whether it’s an ultra-luxurious setting with locally sourced organic food or a large convention hotel serving thousands of guests. Mogelonsky emphasizes the importance of employee wellness and stresses the need to treat staff like family to ensure long-term retention and satisfaction, especially in light of the ongoing labor shortage.
The role of travel in well-being
Mogelonsky discusses how travel itself contributes to wellness by providing new experiences, perspectives, and meaningful interactions. He distinguishes between primary wellness travel, where guests travel specifically for wellness purposes, and secondary wellness travel, where wellness activities are incorporated into trips taken for other primary reasons. This can include access to gyms, healthy food options, flexible spa packages, and exclusive wellness activities.
Industrial understanding and opportunities
Mogelonsky expresses some frustration that the industry is not embracing the wellness concept fast enough, despite its significant potential. He cites studies from the Global Wellness Institute and McKinsey, which highlight the vast opportunities within the wellness market, including direct-to-consumer products, health clinics and wellness-focused communities.
Challenges and responsibilities
Mogelonsky points out that lifestyle factors, rather than genetics, play a crucial role in health and longevity. He criticizes the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and emphasizes the importance of offering healthy, natural food options to guests. He believes that the hospitality industry has an obligation to provide food that promotes better mood, cognition, weight management and overall well-being.
The essence of hospitality
Mogelonsky reflects on the roots of the word “hospitality,” noting that it comes from the Latin word “hospes,” which is also the root of “hospital.” He reminds the industry that hospitality is fundamentally about taking care of people, including turning adversaries into friends, a concept that can be applied metaphorically to the modern hospitality industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Adam Mogelonsky’s insights highlight the importance of integrating wellness into all facets of the hospitality industry. By broadening the definition of wellness to focus on both guest and employee well-being, hotels can create more meaningful and fulfilling experiences. This interview is part of Hospitality Net’s HITEC 2024 series, which provides a platform for industry leaders to share their insights and experiences.
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