All articles by julian turner
julian turner
Investment Monitor – Future of Tourism survey
How is your country reacting to Covid-19? Tell us via our short survey.
Perfecting preferences – maximising customer data
The hotel sector has long collected huge amounts of customer data from multiple sources. However, the argument has been made that many have underused it, failing to deliver the personalisation of service that guests increasingly demand. How can operators better access and leverage the information they hold? Jonathon Wardman, VP of CRM at Hilton Worldwide; Remy Merckx, VP marketing EMEA at Carlson Rezidor; and Riko van Santen, VP digital strategy and distribution at Kempinski, tell Abi Millar what constitutes a best-in-class strategy.
Where the locals go – an alternative to brands
It seems counterintuitive, but at a time when the hotel market has never been more brand-dominated and international, an unprecedented degree of emphasis is being placed upon local knowledge and a sense of place by operators and guests alike. How can international hotels best forge links with their local communities, and how independent and distinctive can head office allow these properties to be? Hotel Management international hears from Hasan Yigit, managing director of Jaz in the City at Deutsche Hospitality; Fredrik Korallus, CEO, Generator Hostels; and Brian McGuinness, global brand leader for Aloft, Element and Four Points at Starwood.
Give boutique a break – analysing a hospitality concept
In an increasingly crowded marketplace where even economy hotels sell themselves as lifestyle brands, does the boutique concept still mean anything? Patrick Kingsland asks Kike Sarasola, Room Mate Hotels founder and president, and Filip Boyen, chairman of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Lead, don’t follow – Hans Koch on the EHMA 44th Annual General Meeting
EHMA president Hans Koch discusses the key takeaways from the EHMA 44th Annual General Meeting, and how the hotel industry can stay ahead of the curve.
Be the disruptor – the European Hotel Managers Association AGM
Things got disruptive at this year’s European Hotel Managers Association Annual General Meeting, as assembled hospitality leaders discussed and debated how best to harness, learn from and overcome new players entering their industry. Hotel Management International travelled to the Dutch coast to find out more.
The third way – the future of franchising
Franchising contracts are no longer the preserve of budget hotels. The development of an asset-light hotel development model has led to a rapid growth in franchising across the board and the rise of third-party operators. To what extent can such an approach create a more guest-focused business and what does a successful strategy look like? Abi Millar speaks to leaders from Interstate and Redefine|BDL Hotels to find out.
Modern measures for an evolving landscape – tackling cybercrime
From petty theft to terror threats and cybercrime, hotel security is evolving to keep pace with modern criminals. Darren Carter, head of security at Edwardian Hotels London and chair at the Institute of Hotel Security Management, tells Bradford Keen about using technology to stamp out crime and the need for hotel operators to collaborate to keep guests safe without hindering their stay.
The age of automation – technology and the hospitality industry
With next-day delivery and smartphones now ubiquitous, the time has come for the hospitality industry to fully embrace automation. However, recent examples have proved that operators often struggle to thread the needle between utility and novelty in this area. Greg Noone talks to Steve Cousins, CEO of robotics firm Savioke, and Mamie Peers of The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, about finding the right balance.
Blurred lines and changing times – the International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin
Brexit, President Trump, the rise of Airbnb – all were topics covered at the International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin. But despite such challenges to the marketplace, the mood at the event was one of cautious optimism, as Hotel Management International reports.