FIHR Conference Targets the Intersection of AI and Talent in Romanian Hospitality
The Romanian hospitality industry faces a dual challenge: adopting artificial intelligence without losing the human touch, and attracting young workers to an industry struggling with retention. On September 25, 2026, the Federation of Hotel Industry Employers in Romania (FIHR) will host Ospitalitate Inteligentă 2026 - Tehnologie, Capital Uman - Impact at the Sheraton Hotel in Bucharest. The half-day conference, running from 09:30 to 14:00, brings together hotel executives, government officials, and technology providers to deliver practical answers, not just ideas.
AI in operations: from distribution to reputation management
The first panel, scheduled for 10:10, examines concrete AI applications already working in Romanian hotels. Topics include chatbots for direct booking retention, website personalization, and loyalty programs that reduce dependence on third-party distribution channels. Speakers will also address how AI integration into ERP and PMS systems can sharpen a hotel's competitive edge through automated reputation and review management.
Panelists include Alin Grigore, Director General of the Tourism Directorate at MEDAT; Vladimir Indzhovr, Regional Manager at Booking; Stefan Balaur, COO of Continental Hotels; and Milos Mijatovic, Country Manager for Serbia at SEO Pinnacles. The session runs until 11:40, followed by a 25-minute break.
Recruiting and keeping the next generation
At 12:15, the second panel shifts focus to the industry's most persistent problem: talent. The discussion covers rewriting job roles and competencies for a technology-augmented workplace. It also provides a direct look at current subsidy programs available to hospitality employers and how to access them. A central question drives the conversation: what should tourism and hospitality schools teach differently, and what is missing from today's curricula?
The lineup includes Ana Radulescu from the Ministry of Labour, Dana Baitanciuc, HR Director at JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Florentina Radulescu, Director General of AMOFM Bucuresti, Alexandra Tudorică, Chief Sales Officer at International Work Finder, and Lelia Mancaş, Marketing Director at Edenred.
A project launch and practical focus
Between the two panels, at 12:05, FIHR will launch the Tara lui mai bine project. The conference concludes with a 30-minute networking session at 13:30. Organizers frame the event as one for hoteliers, managers, and professionals who want to leave with applicable solutions. Registration is open now.
For service managers and HR professionals looking to build skills before the conference, AI for Hospitality Courses offer targeted training on the operational technologies the panels will discuss. Those responsible for team implementation can explore the AI Service Operations Courses learning path, which covers the integration points between AI tools and service workflows that speakers like Balaur and Mijatovic will reference.
Why this matters for hospitality and HR professionals
The agenda skips theory in favor of named case studies from Romanian hotels - what worked, what didn't, and what it cost. For HR directors, the second panel offers a direct line to Ministry of Labour officials who can explain subsidy access, not just announce its existence. The curriculum discussion with industry practitioners gives training managers specific gaps to address in their own onboarding and development programs. The registration deadline is not specified, but the event targets a working morning, suggesting capacity is limited to professionals who can act on what they hear.
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