Speaking at the panel titled “The Future of Hospitality: A Session with Leaders from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye,” held as part of the 2026 Istanbul Tourism Fair (ITF), Dimitris Manikis, President of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA, said that Türkiye continues to be a very important growth market for Wyndham and offers opportunities for the development of new projects across the country.
In his remarks, Manikis highlighted Türkiye’s strong hospitality culture and emphasized the importance of the human element in creating meaningful experiences for guests.
Dimitris Manikis said, “We are well aware of the importance of the hospitality industry across Europe. There is a very strong culture of hospitality in Türkiye, and the people here understand very well the importance of serving guests with this mindset. Hospitality and the lodging industry are not just about providing services to people; they are also about adding value to their lives. This approach is particularly well understood in Türkiye,” he said.
Highlighting the resilience of Türkiye’s hospitality sector, Manikis pointed to the sector’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and Türkiye’s extensive experience and expertise across the industry.
In his speech, Manikis also touched on career opportunities in the hospitality industry and the topic of artificial intelligence, stating that the human element lies at the heart of the hospitality industry and that technology should complement—rather than replace—it.
Dimitris Manikis said, “My daughter also works in the hospitality industry. When I asked her why she chose this career, she told me she had prepared two lists. The first listed jobs that would be significantly impacted by artificial intelligence, and the second listed jobs where the human element would remain a fundamental component. My daughter had put the hospitality industry at the top of the second list. ‘Artificial intelligence can do amazing things; however, guests will continue to value genuine human interaction and personal connections. These elements are at the heart of the hospitality experience,’ he said.
Noting that the intense current debate surrounding artificial intelligence should not overshadow other priority issues in the sector, such as sustainability, Manikis stated, “We need to keep control of this sector’s narrative within the sector itself. We cannot leave control of our industry’s narrative to others.”
