All articles by Ky Nikitha
Ky Nikitha
A hospitality hub for the future
In April, operators from across the MENA region gathered at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference to discuss how best to synchronise for success. Hotel Management International looks back on those three days and the topics discussed, deals signed and challenges anticipated by regional stakeholders.
Hot property
The pipeline is bursting, and investor, developer and operator interest in the German hotel market is higher than it’s been in years. Elly Earls meets industry insiders to find out where opportunities still lie, who’s making the most of them and how long the good times are likely to last.
Public relations
Operators are having to fundamentally rethink the ways they deliver hospitality within the midscale segment, placing an ever-greater emphasis upon design, technology and public spaces. Abi Millar meets the hotel leaders trying to do something new in what has traditionally been the least ambitious of hotel tiers.
Master of all trades
Arguably no role has undergone greater transformation over the course of the past decade than that of the hotel general manager, so how do the best practitioners in the business stay abreast of such a fast-changing landscape? Tim Gunn speaks to Toshiro Maruyama of Shirouma-so, The Beaumont’s Jannes Soerensen, and EHMA president and GM of Principe di Savoia Ezio A Indiani about the flexibility needed to succeed in some of the industry’s most particular positions.
Arabic assessment
While the Middle East posted mixed results for Q1, Africa posted growth in occupancy, average daily rate and revenue per available room. Nevertheless, the former continues to attract significant interest from the world’s largest operators and brands, as demonstrated by STR’s release of the top 50 companies and brands in the region, unveiled at this year’s Arabian Hotel Investment Conference as part of the STR 500. Our partners at the industry leader in hospitality analytics look at some of the stories behind the numbers.
Amicale departure
After six years at the helm, Hans Koch stepped down as president of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) at the organisation’s 46th AGM, held in Paris in February. He looks back over his tenure and highlights some of the achievements of which he is most proud.
Kings of Europe
As part of the STR 500 launch, STR revealed Europe’s 100 largest hotel groups during the 22nd International Hotel Investment Forum in March. Our partners at the industry leader in hospitality analytics look at some of the stories behind the numbers.
A bright future
Ezio A Indiani, the newly appointed president of the European Hotel Managers Association, enthuses on the honour of receiving such an appointment and outlines his virtuous aspirations for the organisation.
Shifting brands
In a little over a year in charge, Deutsche Hospitality CEO Thomas Willms has launched one brand, acquired another and now has his sights set on transforming the group’s flagship offering, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts. He tells Phin Foster about the importance of leveraging one’s heritage, the transformative impact of entering the conversion space and why Deutsche is willing to bet big on the economy segment.
On the horizon
In February 2019, Meliá Hotel International revealed its annual results for 2018, marking the end of a three-year strategic plan that had seen a 250% increase in earnings per share, nearly 15,000 rooms added to its portfolio, and an intense period of investment and repositioning. Global development managing director Maria Zarraluqui speaks to Hotel Management International about the impact this has had upon development strategy and where the group is looking to go next.