On October 15, Room 211 of the Main Building of Lviv Polytechnic National University transformed into a vibrant hub of hospitality innovation and academic excellence. The university hosted a large-scale open interdisciplinary lecture and panel discussion: “From Capsule to Boutique: How Modern Hotel Typology Works.”
The event served as an inspiring bridge between academic research, aspiring students, and industry executives, bringing together attendees in a dynamic hybrid format — on-site in Lviv and via interactive livestream connecting academic institutions across Ukraine!
Academic Expertise & Professional Moderation
The event set a high benchmark for interdisciplinary learning, combining modern management theory with industry reality:
Mykhailo Sheveliuk — Keynote Lecturer, Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism, Lviv Polytechnic National University; Founder of Ukrainian Horeca School. He delivered an insightful presentation on the paradigm shift in the hospitality industry, practical tools for mapping guest journey touchpoints, and real-time interactive audience polling.
Yaroslava Moskovyak — Panel Moderator, Deputy Director for Academic and Educational Affairs at the Institute of Governance and Business, Lviv Polytechnic National University, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor. She led a lively, engaging discussion, highlighting the critical hard and soft skills demanded by today’s competitive labor market.
Academic Contribution: Warm gratitude goes to the esteemed faculty members of the Department of Tourism — Natalia Pankiv, PhD in Biological Sciences, Associate Professor, and Larysa Teodorovych, PhD in Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor — for their professional support and engagement.
The Voice of Industry: Insights from Top Hospitality Leaders
The cornerstone of the lecture was the practical insight shared by invited hoteliers and top executives. They candidly answered tough questions regarding operational reality, crisis management, and investment payback:
1. Maryna Pechena — Managing Director of the capsule hotel chain Capsule Hotel Constellation:
Unveiled the architectural and operational nuances of smart spaces;
Detailed full technological autonomy, digital guest journeys, and contact-free services.
2. Yana Slavets — General Manager of LH Hotel & SPA:
Shared deep insights into luxury/premium guest management;
Explored operating a multifunctional sports, wellness, and spa infrastructure alongside corporate B2B client acquisition.
3. Oksana Savter — General Manager of Vintage Boutique Hotel:
Immersed participants in the delicate art of intimate boutique hospitality;
Outlined hyper-personalized guest service, preservation of architectural heritage, and storytelling through bespoke local gastronomy.
Nationwide Academic Unity: Connecting Ukrainian Universities
A standout achievement of this event was its nationwide reach. We extend our sincere gratitude to educators, researchers, and students who participated both in person and online:
Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of SUTE (CITE SUTE): Students of "Hotel and Restaurant Business", "Marketing", and "Management", and faculty members Iryna Losheniuk, Valentyna Chychun, Tetiana Nezveshchuk-Kohut, and Liubov Hut for active engagement and cross-disciplinary synergy.
Ukrainian National Forestry University (UNFU, Lviv): Uliana Pavlivna Novak, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor at the Department of Accounting, Finance, and Hotel and Restaurant Business, alongside her engaged students.
Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (Ivano-Frankivsk): Nadiia Melnyk, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Resort Business, and her students who attended on-site in Lviv.
Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University: Alyona Klymchuk, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Tourism and Hotel-Restaurant Business.
National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute" (NTU "KhPI"): Nataliia Yakymenko-Tereshchenko, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business.
Mykolayiv National Agrarian University (MNAU): Iryna Banieva, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor at the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Business and Tourism.
Dnipro University of Technology (NTU "Dnipro Polytechnic"): Mariia Vyshnevska and colleagues from the Department of Tourism and Enterprise Economics.
King Danylo University (Ivano-Frankivsk): Khrystyna Mykhailivna Terletska, Head of the Cyclical Commission for Hotel and Restaurant Business and Tourism.
Khmelnytskyi Cooperative Trade and Economic Institute (KCTEI): Nataliia Vovchek, PhD, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Trade, Logistics, and Hotel and Restaurant Business.
Kryvyi Rih National University: Faculty and students of the Mykhailo Tuhan-Baranovskyi Institute of Economics and Trade (ETI KNU).
Key Takeaways
From Star Ratings to Guest Scenarios: The modern hotel landscape has definitively evolved beyond static 1-to-5-star ratings toward customer-centric lifestyle scenarios and tailored hospitality experiences.
Hi-Tech Meets Hi-Touch: The future of the industry lies in balancing cutting-edge technology (AI, smart capsules, automated self-check-in) with heartfelt, genuine, and bespoke human hospitality.
Career Launchpad: Students gained direct access to premier employers, actionable industry knowledge, and long-term inspiration to innovate within Ukraine's #HoReCa sector.
"Open partnerships between academia and business serve as the bedrock for training a new generation of resilient leaders who will shape and elevate Ukrainian hospitality on the world stage."
Thank you to every guest, speaker, and partner! Ahead lie new joint interuniversity projects, specialized workshops, and immersive masterclasses.
Building the new culture of Ukrainian hospitality together! 🇺🇦✨
