Will the future be cashless in hotel structures? - Gjelishti: The next 2–3 years will see a significant increase in digital payments
Electronic payments are increasingly seen as the future of hotel structures, while the transition from cash to digital payments is gradually moving forward in the market.
According to fintech entrepreneur Igli Gjelishti, this is an unstoppable process that will strengthen in the coming years, despite the fact that Albania still lags behind the European Union countries.
"I think it is a trend that we cannot resist permanently. We can slow it down, but it is inevitable that it will be accepted as it has begun to be accepted. And the figures of the Bank of Albania are in constant increase in usability. Unfortunately, still very low, compared to the region and especially other EU countries, but it is a path of no return."
Gjelishti emphasizes that, although cash still remains an important part of the economy, businesses should not limit their services to just one form of payment.
“I am not one of those who think that cash should disappear. Cash in the economy is a tool that has its own reasons for existing. We cannot have a dependence on cash and lose business opportunities simply because they do not accept payments other than cash. I think this is a path of no return. Even this measure in the short future, 2-3 years, will have major effects to bring us very close to EU standards.”
In the next 2-3 years, according to him, electronic payments are expected to bring significant effects in Albania's alignment with European standards.
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