All articles by Venugopal immadi
Venugopal immadi
World of well-being
While there’s no doubt that Covid-19 has devastated the hospitality industry, it has also
triggered a renewed focus on personal health, and it seems that hotel operators are now
more willing than ever to invest in the wellness of their guests and employees. Irenie Forshaw talks to group director of Spa and Wellness at Mandarin Oriental, Jeremy McCarthy, and vice-president for well-being at Accor, Emlyn Brown, about the steps being taken to adapt wellness offerings for a post-pandemic world and incorporate them across their properties.
The ever-changing story of the general manager
As destinations reopen for international visitors, the general manager is under pressure like
never before – whether it’s from owners seeking the rapid return of revenue, staff re-entering the workplace after months of furlough or unemployment, or guests, whose shifts in fears and desires are still being somewhat second-guessed. Will Moffitt speaks to Ezio Indiani of Milan’s Hotel Principe di Savoia; Nicholas Davies of the Langham in London; and Michael Kain, the newly appointed GM at the Steigenberger Bad Homburg, about rising to these challenges and potentially redefining the general manager role in the process.
Touch and go
Covid-19 has fundamentally changed people’s daily behaviour with social distancing, face masks and constant handwashing the new norm. This has forced hotel operators to re-evaluate basic operations and, above all, adapt the guest journey to be as touch-free as possible. Jim Banks asks Gilles de Richemond, group CIO of Accor; Neal Jones, chief sales and marketing officer EMEA at Marriott International; and HTNG workgroup co-ordinator Jeffrey Stephen, how changes can be implemented without undermining the fundamentals of the guest experience.
In search of recruitment
In an industry first, HTNG has partnered with Eric Roberts Global to establish a formal
process for executive recruiting in the hospitality sector. At an incredibly challenging time for
employers, employees and jobseekers, both parties agree that this development could not be
more relevant and necessary for the current operating environment.
Straight from the top
Each year, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) recognises individuals who have had a lasting impact on the association and industry. The International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame Award recognises exceptional technology pioneers, having inducted 47 individuals since 1989. As a complement to the Hall of Fame, the HFTP Paragon Award recognises those who have made impactful contributions to the association and hospitality industry. What follows is an in-depth look as to why Ian Millar, CHTP, senior lecturer at EHL, and Michael Blake, executive director, CEO and senior vice-president of HTNG, were chosen to be honoured in 2020.
