13 The future of hospitality | Responding to the challenges, seizing the opportunities Focus on operational agility to navigate uncertainty COVID-19’s impact on the customer experience in the hospitality sector is undeniable. Its impact on organizations’ operational realities can’t be understated either. And with the road to recovery likely to be a bumpy one, as the world deals with the ebb and flow of coronavirus infections, organizations that can maintain operational agility stand to be better able to navigate the uncertainties ahead. Embrace an agile workforce and supply chain Organizations in the business of hospitality will need to rethink their staffing needs in a world of physical distancing and fewer customers. The new normal may no longer support pre- pandemic staffing levels, and companies may need to look at reducing staff or reassigning employees to other roles (e.g., organizations may need more cleaning staff than before).