Thorsten Merkle

Thorsten Merkle is a Professor at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) within the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, leading the Hospitality Management Competency Group. He holds a PhD in Business and Management from the University of Gloucestershire and has received fellowships from the Higher Education Academy and Washington State University's Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living.

• Key Research Areas: Hospitality Management, Service Innovation in Healthcare and Tourism, Digital Transformation, Sustainable Tourism

Merkle's recent work explores digitalization in senior care facilities, airport F&B services, and service innovation gaps in hospitality. His publications span topics like overtourism, patient nutrition systems, and robotic implementations in Swiss hospitals/hotels. He serves as Chair of the ICHRIE Special Interest Group on Ageing in Hospitality.

• Scientific Engagements: Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA), Faculty Fellow at Washington State University
• Leadership: Head of Expert Group Hospitality and Service Management at ZHAW

Current projects include Zipp & Scan for patient belongings management and studies on AI applications in business model development. His interdisciplinary work bridges hospitality, healthcare, and technology sectors.