All articles by Amit Thadani
Amit Thadani
Surveying the Big Smoke
Hotel Management International looks at STR’s 2022 Independent Hotel Show Report to find out the latest performance recovery for London.
Strength to strength
A symptom of a world recovering from a pandemic is on the rise in holiday-makers and business travel, much to the advantage of hotels as they accept guests and reaffirm partnerships and industry relations. As the year draws to a close, Panos Almyrantis, president of EHMA, shares an update on the association as he discusses state of the hotel industry and his aims for the future.
A passion for people and places
With over 30 years working in hospitality, Dimitris Manikis has had the opportunity to cover a variety of roles across the world before becoming president, Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, of Wyndham Hotel & Resorts in 2018. Phoebe Galbraith speaks with Manikis to find out his experience in the industry as he explains Wyndham’s commitment to embracing sustainability and development.
A whole new person
A healthier you, one staple that never leaves the spa and wellness industry. However, as guests search for new ways to relax and stay healthy, the industry has seen more demand for medical spa holidays. The rise of medspas that offer a combination of treatments covering medical procedures to holistic therapies indicates their popularity. Phoebe Galbraith speaks to Emlyn Brown, global vice-president well-being at Accor Hotels to find out how the medspa industry has developed and what Accor is doing to help promote wellness.
Sustain the experience
Sustainability is a design concept that is going nowhere soon. As hotels adopt and incorporate this into their everyday operations, some are taking it a step further by constructing spaces and accomodation with sustainability at the very centre of the experience. Brooke Theis speaks to Angel Barreno at BIG about the newest biosphere treehouse at the Treehotel in Sweden, and Paul Robinson, the COO at Indonesia’s Bawah Reserve, to find out more.
No longer a secret
France. Spain. Italy. These are the names traditionally associated with hospitality in the Mediterranean. Albania… perhaps not so much – that is until recently anyway. Long ignored by tourists and hoteliers alike, this Balkans nation is watching its fortunes transform. Both Radisson and IHG recently announced plans to open their first branded hotel in the country, while the Albanian government is busy sharpening infrastructure. Not that hoteliers necessarily need much encouragement. Between stunning natural beauty, acres of history and delicious food, Albania has something for everyone. Andrea Valentino talks to Blerina Ago of Active Albania and Hylko Versteeg of IHG to learn more.
A view from the top
After the past couple of years, the 34th Deloitte European Hospitality Industry Conference is back and bigger than ever. Offering the chance for hotel operators and investors alike to connect and find out the latest trends, Amelia Fletcher attends and hears from an esteemed panel entitled ‘The View from the Top’ to find out how they’re making decisions for their businesses.
Rethinking rewarding loyalty
Loyalty programmes have become an essential tool in building a sustainable business in the hospitality sector, particularly during the pandemic, and Radisson Rewards is no exception. Radisson Hotel Group has just announced its new updated programme and Cristina Serra, global senior VP for brand, experience & customer strategy tells Jim Banks why it is more effective and more rewarding than ever.
A platform for hotel owners
HOFTEL was founded back in 2005 as a low-key network of hospitality real estate companies, allowing members to share insights and compare notes across brands and continents. Since then, the group has expanded to over 70 members with around $100bn of hospitality-related property. Simon Allison, chairman and CEO of HOFTEL, offers insight from the top of this global organisation.
Open innovation
Innovation technology has been a key topic for every sector over the past few years as the world collectively looks to the future. Susana Garrido, digitality & general education program manager, and senior lecturer in marketing at Les Roches, discusses the impact of innovative technology on the hotel industry.