Larger spaces, less complicated procedures and less and less human touch. Across the globe, hotels of the near future will share common characteristics. The following is what some of the international ambassadors chosen by Hostmilano to identify the trends of the Horeca sector in the five corners of the planet have to say. "I believe that in the hotel industry of tomorrow we will see greater demand for security, even on paper, in the sense that guarantees will be required when purchasing certain services," says Lourdes Lopez, a Spanish digital journalist and brand and digital strategy consultant for several companies in the sector. He adds: "If we can provide sufficient transparency in what we do, the survival of many hotel companies will be assured".

As far as interior spaces are concerned, the revolution will be all digital. "In Sweden, the latest trends talk about the development of services such as in-room dining and in-room bartending, while the next few months will see the development of ad hoc menus to be enjoyed directly in the room," says Anna Norstrom, author of the @foodysafari podcast. But that's not all, because travellers of the future will always have to show their health 'passport'. "It will be essential to prove one's health, and sanitation devices and dispensers will be present when guests arrive, both in hotels and restaurants.

The same attention to cleanliness is also being seen in Japan, a country that has always been recognised for its high standards of cleanliness. "Although it has always been our prerogative, I am convinced that Japanese hoteliers will double their efforts to make sanitation procedures even more transparent. From a technological point of view, I foresee that consumers will increasingly seek contactless interaction with various services and amenities," adds Marc Matsumoto, private chef, culinary consultant and TV personality based in Tokyo.

On the other hand, emphasises another ambassador chosen by Host, Rosa Moraes, a member of the Brazilian Gastronomy Academy, the adoption of measures such as those just described will have another consequence, apart from guaranteeing customers a "safe" stay in every respect. "Travellers need to become more aware of the impact of tourism on the environment and communities. Suffice it to say that 70% of the latest pandemics in the world have their origin in ongoing deforestation. For this reason, I firmly believe that sustainability must become a common heritage for all, being a matter of public health, and not mere activism".