All articles by julian turner
julian turner
All that Jaz – Steigenberger Hotel Group CEO Puneet Chhatwal
The launch of lifestyle brand Jaz in the City is the latest in a series of moves firmly establishing Steigenberger Hotel Group on the international scene. Phin Foster speaks to CEO Puneet Chhatwal about targeting new demographics, the need for sustainable growth and his efforts to implement a culture that celebrates success.
At the forefront – the 2015 International Hotel Investment Forum
At the biggest conference in the global hospitality calendar, Hotel Management International gets to grips with an industry leaving the recession behind, to confront how the rise of new technologies is set to transform how we traditionally perceive of the sector.
The generation game – analysing the millennial market
In the past 12 months, an unprecedented number of international operators, including Hilton, Carlson Rezidor, Hyatt, Jumeirah and Steigenberger, have announced plans for new brands specifically targeting millennials. Ross Davies takes a look at what these offerings will entail, and asks whether they can finally create a semblance of brand allegiance among what is fast-becoming a lucrative guest demographic.
A tale of many cities – the Turkish hospitality boom
The Turkish hotel sector is thriving. Driven by burgeoning regional industries, a growth in domestic and international tourist numbers, and domestic investors with deep pockets, operators are looking beyond the traditional stronghold of Istanbul and moving into secondary and tertiary cities. To determine where the next frontier for developing the region’s hospitality sector lies, Chris Godfrey speaks with senior figures from Hilton, Starwood and BDO Hospitality Consulting.
Tomorrow’s guest – the future of the hotel industry
The hotel industry is going through a period of unprecedented, irreversible change and will look very different in 2020 than it does today. A recent report from Grant Thornton sheds light on some of the biggest questions facing the sector. Here, its authors, hotel executives and industry forecasters discuss how hotels can attract the business and leisure guests of tomorrow, the challenges of competing in a digital world and the tech requirements of emerging business models.
Italian job – the Marsa Malaz Kempinski
Inspired by Venice, located in Doha and designed by a Bangkok firm, the Marsa Malaz Kempinski has brought something entirely new to the Middle East. Oliver Hotham speaks with Khun Kongsak, project director at the Leo International Design Group, about his firm’s work on the Pearl’s very first five-star hotel, collaborating with developers and blending local styles with a classical aesthetic.
Asian fusion – Steve Leung’s design philosophy
Hong Kong-born architect and interior designer Steve Leung has won more than 100 design and corporate awards throughout his career, with commissions that include London’s Shangri-La at The Shard. His latest project, housed in Atlantis, The Palm Hotel & Resort, exemplifies an approach that has long fused the ethereal beauty of old China with the most modern of design touches. Elly Earls meets the contemporary style advocate to find out more about his hotel design philosophy.
The guest connection – next-generation hotel technology
Automation, intelligent design and connectivity are now the watchwords for hotel technology, resulting in a far simpler, more guest-driven experience than what was envisioned only a few years ago. James Wade speaks to IT leaders from Fairmont, Mandarin Oriental, and Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels about shifting expectations, invisible innovation and keeping pace with customers.
The new hot spot for hotel dining
Restaurant revenue as a proportion of total turnover for Middle Eastern hotels dwarfs levels found anywhere else in the world. Creating culinary destinations for guests and enticing visitors from elsewhere drives fierce competition between properties; in this exclusive round table, some of the region’s leading F&B directors explain how they are setting themselves apart in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Security service – using technology to keep hotel guests safe
Modern technology plays a pivotal role in keeping hotels secure and safe. Arup’s Gregoir Chikaher and Accenture’s Kevin Richards outline how the latest developments provide protection, and why operators must be suitably proactive without seeming alarmist.