Innovations in the hotel business as a factor of increasing the competitiveness of a hotel enterprise

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) considers the introduction of innovations, aimed primarily at the application and development of hotel technologies, classification of hotels, spread of hotel chains, training of personnel in hospitality, etc., to be among the most important methods of managing the hospitality industry. Currently, the role of innovation in the hotel business has increased significantly. This is explained by the fact that in a market economy, the introduction of innovative projects in the hotel industry is an effective method of competition. Implementation of innovation leads to a reduction in the cost and price of hotel services, as well as to an increase in profits, to the introduction of new methods of meeting needs guest, to improve the image of the hotel-producer of new hotel services, to introduce new markets. In other words, organizational and managerial innovations in a hotel, an improved hotel service process, or a new hotel product can become one of the key sources of income for a hotel, while having a significant impact on increasing its profits. Innovative processes in hotel business management are extremely important, they are aimed at improving the quality of services, service process in a particular hotel, which ultimately increases the competitiveness of the enterprise in the hotel services market. The article discusses the theoretical and applied aspects of innovative activity in the hotel business, provides examples of the successful application of innovative technologies in the activities of foreign and Russian hotel business enterprises, and determines the close relationship between the use of innovation and increasing the competitiveness of hotel enterprises.