Does Artotel Use Robots or Real People? | Artotel Group AI | THINC Indonesia | Jonathan Mokalu
In this interview with Travel And Tour World at THINC Indonesia, Jonathan Mokalu, Director of Business Development for Artotel Group, shares his journey in hospitality, career advice for young professionals, and how the company balances AI innovation with the human touch that defines great service. Key highlights: 1. Jonathan Mokalu joined Artotel Group nine years ago and has witnessed significant growth, especially post-pandemic. 2. Artotel is now one of the fastest-growing hotel operators in Indonesia, ranked around number three among local chains. 3. On transitioning from sales and operations to executive leadership, he stresses hard work, honesty, and common sense as essential, along with understanding what your counterpart truly needs. 4. Career green flags in hospitality: long hours and dedication, including night shifts but rewarding because of the people you meet and serve; he notes "hospitality has to be in your blood." 5. Career red flags: be cautious about where you work, money isn't everything, especially early on; career path and growth matter more. 6. He credits a former boss for teaching him to map out clear five-year career paths for his own team, so employees know where they're headed rather than staying stagnant. 7. Artotel follows standardized technical and brand guidelines when building new hotels, managed by a dedicated department within the group. 8. The company focuses on staying relevant to younger-generation travelers, whose demands differ significantly from those of 10-15 years ago, aiming to build a business that adapts and lasts. 9. On technology, Artotel uses AI as an enabler to help staff work more efficiently, especially with repetitive tasks, but does not use robots and does not intend to replace human staff with AI. 10. Mokalu emphasizes that hospitality is fundamentally about service, and losing the human touch would be detrimental, AI supports the team, but doesn't replace the human element guests need. About Travel And Tour World: Travel And Tour World is a global travel media platform covering travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation, MICE, cruise, and luxury travel, with readership across 195 countries. [Artotel Group, Jonathan Mokalu, Hotel career advice, AI in hospitality, Indonesia hotel chains, Artotel Group Director Business Development interview, Artotel fastest growing hotel operator Indonesia, Career advice hospitality sales to leadership, Does AI replace hotel staff jobs, Green flags red flags hospitality corporate jobs, How to build a hospitality career path, Artotel Group Indonesia, Jonathan Mokalu Business Development, Artotel hotel operator ranking, Artotel AI human touch, AI in hotel industry trend 2026, Young generation hotel demand trend, Indonesia hospitality career growth, Local hotel chain expansion Indonesia, AI enabler not replacement hospitality] #ArtotelGroup #THINCIndonesia #HospitalityCareers #AIinHospitality #IndonesiaHotels # JonathanMokalu #HotelIndustry #TravelAndTourWorld #CareerAdvice #HumanTouch #HospitalityLeadership #IndonesiaTourism