Founder and CEO of GenWell - Canada's Human Connection Movement, making the world a happier and healthier place one face-to-face conversation at a time. Humanitarian, speaker, visionary.
Hermit customer? Oh boy, Houston, we have a problem. When I read this article in Restobiz Canada a couple of weeks back, it broke my heart to see that the hospitality industry is having to adjust its business model to meet the demand for takeout from the "Hermit Consumer". What I understand from the article is that the numbers aren't down, but that takeout is a bigger percentage of the business than it was prepandmeic. I recognize that the industry and individual owners need to do what they can to survive during these challenging times, but dont forget that there is a growing issue of social isolation, disconnection and loneliness across society. This disconnection is leading to individual, community, and societal challenges that are impacting all of us. As people become more conscious and aware of the many negative implications that we all face as a result of this disconnection, I believe that the hospitality industry can play a critical role in the solution and create a business offering that brings people together face-to-face as we break bread and rebuild the relationships that make us happier, healthier, live longer and make the world around us a better place for all. Maybe the opportunity is to start building a campaign around GenWell Weekend - Sept 20-22, a weekend when GenWell wants to inspire 40 million Canadians to reach out and get connected face-to-face with family, friends, neighbours, classmates and colleguaes. Let's invite Canadians back out to the same bars, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels and more, where many of life's special moments have happened for decades and will continue to do so when we help people overcome some of the social anxiety and not so positive habits that they may have picked up during the global pandemic. Let's not wait until then, but let's not forget that people need what the hospitality industry has been offering for decades. The opportunity to find a third space where we can connect with the people who make us happier, healthier, and make the world a better place for all. #humanconnection #hospitality #socialhealth #socialisolation #disconnection #loneliness #socialconnection #specialmoments #specialplaces Rob Carmichael Will Meijer Troy Burtch Todd Lewin Carmen Kondra Will Forbes Dave Perkins, ICD.D Tony Elenis Restaurants Canada Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association Steve Joordens https://lnkd.in/gD4kEVMB
What a term "hermit consumerism"! Sad, when you think that dining is a social activity. I appreciate the thinking that is going into addressing this...
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8moThis is troubling. I completely agree that the hospitality industry and hotel owners can help hermit consumers feel more comfortable engaging with other guests. Some of the ideas that I am advocating for with my hotelier colleagues include: 1) communal dining tables, 2) creative menu options that cater to the solo traveler, 3) invitations at check-in to join other guests for meet and greets from 5-7 (when they return from their meetings and before they go to their rooms and order food from an app) and 4) interactive experiences like - a cooking class with the chef, cocktail class with a mixologist, or wine tasting with the sommelier. I am sure there are other things hoteliers can do. All it takes is the will to try something new to make a difference and enrich the guest experience in the process.