All articles by Blatha
Blatha
The bigger picture
Deloitte’s European Hotel Investment Conference encouraged delegates to consider the long view when it can be all too easy to become distracted by more immediate concerns. Hotel Management International travelled to the Dorchester in London to hear some of the sector’s biggest names debate challenges and opportunities coming over the horizon.
Further afield
After almost 50 years in the hotel industry, finishing his career as GM of The Churchill in London, and Hyatt International’s VP for UK and Ireland, Michael Gray retired from front-line service in March 2016. However, he remains the UK and Ireland national delegate for EHMA, is committed to growing membership beyond the UK capital and will be visiting hoteliers across the region throughout 2019 in an effort to promote its benefits.
Proceed with caution
After another strong year of hotel performance in Europe, a sense of caution is now creeping in with signs of slowing growth and a shift in the profile of investors. Andreas Scriven, lead partner, hospitality and leisure at Deloitte, and Peter Szabo, associate at HVS Hodges Ward Elliott, give Patrick Kingsland their insights.
Push it forward
The priorities and requirements of guests change rapidly, and hoteliers need to stay alert in order to provide for their needs. Accor Hotels president of Europe Franck Gervais, COO and founder of citizenM Michael Levie, Hilton president of EMEA Simon Vincent, and Andrea Jones, senior vice-president of international development at Marriott, discuss the ways their brands remain focused on the operations of the future.
Elie Younes: Bring it to fruition
Elie Younes, EVP and CDO of Radisson Hotel Group, is managing a new brand identity, corporate restructuring and marked changes in developmental strategy, mean he is a very busy man. Abi Millar meets the hotel exec to talk about a shift of focus back onto Europe, a renewed willingness to consider leases, what he is looking for in new development partners, and the importance of brand purity.
Simple genius: the perfect kitchen design
Hide was one of the most keenly awaited restaurant openings of the year, and its blend of fine dining with a relaxed atmosphere is just what star chef Ollie Dabbous intended. However, in order to realise his vision, getting the kitchen design right was a fundamental element. Jim Banks speaks to him and Ed Bircham, an associate member of the Foodservice Consultants Society International, about bringing to life a chef-led vision of simplicity, serenity and style.
A catalyst for change: women and hospitality
Although hotel companies have no problem attracting women, they are failing to provide the necessary support for them to progress to senior positions. Elly Earls meets Women in Hospitality 2020 chair Tea Colaianni; Marriott International’s president and managing director for Europe, Amy McPherson; Whitbread CEO Alison Brittain; and IHG’s VP for global talent, Louise Byrne, to find out what steps are being put in place to correct the balance.
Hitting new heights: airport hotels
There was a time when the airport hotel was a straightforward concept: a property focused on short-stay business guests looking for nothing more than the basics. But over the past few years, a number of operators have sought to draw in travellers through selling points beyond mere convenience. What should a 21st-century airport hotel look to achieve? Abi Millar asks David Marr, SVP and global head of full service brands at Hilton, citizenM CMO Robin Chadha and Yotel CEO Hubert Viriot.
All’s well that starts well: architecture’s role in hospitality
Wellness architecture is the process of designing buildings that make their inhabitants healthier and happier. Elly Earls meets architects Veronica Schreibeis Smith and Julia Monk to find out what this means in a hospitality context, and why wellness needs to be a part of design discussions from day one.
An era of growth: Spain’s hotel industry
According to a recent study by Magma Hospitality Consulting and STR, thanks to the strong performance growth in several markets, Spain’s hotel industry has seen a surge in investment interest despite the political situation in Barcelona.