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Mind game
The coronavirus pandemic has led to the ‘super-acceleration’ of digital wellness initiatives in hotels. Elly Earls speaks to Emlyn Brown, global vice-president of well-being for Accor’s luxury and premium brands; Egle Rukšenaite, founder of wellness and hotel consultants E77; and Irene Forte, group project and wellness director for Rocco Forte Hotels, to find out where the sweet spot is between physical and digital wellness.
A safe space
A widely anticipated event in the hospitality calendar, the Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) struggled against the chaos of Covid-19 to deliver its annual conference, HOSPACE, to the virtual sphere in November. Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, talks about her mission to deliver an insightful and engaging event against the odds.
A house in order
Stringent cleaning protocols have always been a vital, but inconspicuous facet of hotel life. Once seen as an operational basic, Covid-19 has only enhanced the importance of thorough cleaning methods, with hotel workers now responsible for safeguarding the health and safety of anxious guests. Will Moffitt talks to Marco Conte, resident manager at Hotel Principe de Savoia and Tanja Ahmed, housekeeping manager at Grand Hyatt Dubai and chair of the UAE Professional Housekeepers Association, about how cleaning is moving from the back to the front of the house, changing the role of the hotel cleaner in the process.
Change is in the air
As the hospitality sector continues to adapt and evolve to deal with the demands inflicted by Covid-19, long-term changes in traveller behaviour are being revealed. A recent report by STR reveals how aspects such as the booking process have been markedly changed and how travellers have started to prioritise safety, but not to the detriment of their own experiences.
What we did in the pandemic
We have watched, appalled, as Covid-19 spread across the world over the past six months. Schools, factories and offices shut down in an attempt to halt the contagion. And with most people staying at home the foodservice sector lost its purpose – providing hospitality to the hungry and thirsty crowds. Among the wreckage there have been beacons of typical foodservice innovation and generosity. Tina Nielsen talks to some of the protagonists about how they have navigated the rough seas of lockdown.
A new hope
European hotels have faced a challenging winter period, with some forced to close their doors once again after showing spirited signs of recovery. The announcement of a vaccine, however, brings hope to hoteliers large and small. As EHMA president Ezio A Indiani says, now is the time for hoteliers across Europe to stay strong, remain positive and help the local community.
A learning moment
Recognised by Time magazine as one of the world’s most influential people, Martin Lindstrom is the author of several New York Times bestselling books that have been translated into 60 languages, along with the upcoming The Ministry of Common Sense: How to Eliminate Bureaucratic Red Tape, Bad Excuses, and Corporate BS. He shares his fears that the industry, and society as a whole, is losing its sense of empathy and common sense.
Route to recovery
From the moment the global economy and most of the world’s inhabitants went into lockdown, international travel ground to a halt. Immediately, Gloria Guevara, CEO and president of The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), made it her mission to ensure that the travel and tourism sector would not be overlooked, pushing governments to recognise the value travel and tourism delivers to the global economy. Will Moffitt asks Guevara where those discussions currently stand, what lessons can be taken from the pandemic and whether governments are doing enough to protect the hospitality industry.
The funds and the faithful
It’s no secret that the European hotel market has been adversely affected by Covid-19. Revenues have dropped, though there have been green shoots of recovery when lockdown restrictions have eased. Meanwhile, the recent announcement of several successful vaccines suggests there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Jim Banks speaks to industry experts about where the hotel market will see the most investment and how long those investors might have to wait to see long-term growth.
Data hub
Even in the age of ubiquitous Wi-Fi and cloud-based software solutions, many hotels have yet to fulfil their data-gathering potential. In the age of Covid-19, however, many hoteliers are monitoring and analysing data like never before, enabling data scientists to fulfil a more prominent role in the industry. Jim Banks speaks to leading IT experts from the hotel sector about using data to create change.