Budapest hosts hospitality summit

The Danubius Flamenco Hotel in Budapest, Hungary, was the venue for the International Business Council's (IBC) Leaders in Hospitality CEE and CIS Summit on 28-29 May, which brought together the top hoteliers from across Central Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). With CEE expanding its tourism and hospitality industry sectors, it was an important platform for the region's hoteliers to discuss best practices and share their expertise.

Tourism is the top industry

The tourism industry is the biggest contributor to the region's GDP. However, the CEE and CIS have struggled to compete with Western Europe in the tourism industry, and hoteliers are finding it difficult to prosper in a challenging political and economic climate.

The IBC strongly believes in bringing hoteliers together to discuss pressing issues, share experiences and knowledge, collaborate, expand business opportunities and maximise profitability. That is why it is important to gather the region's experts together once a year to discuss the trends, issues and benefits of CEE and CIS. The more the region promotes tourism, the more successful its hoteliers will be.

IBC changes the location of the event to expose top hotel chains, as well as smaller and independent hotels, to all the potential the region offers.

Some of the hot topics discussed at this year's summit were the development forecast of the CEE and CIS hospitality sector, market gaps and new segments, and the unveiling of investment and development opportunities in the region. There was a special segment for general managers, and a keynote presentation on e-commerce by Attila Hegedus, partner and managing director of BDO Hungary Hotel and Real Estate Services.

Hegedus said: "Tomorrow's guests are seeking experience and, bearing in mind that our competition is only one click away, hoteliers with or without external assistance will have to be always on top of the latest e-commerce trends. Obviously we cannot have full possession of the knowledge at all times, but by efficiently spending funds on online and offline marketing, measuring our activities and participating at trainings, we can have sustained success, happy customers, and increased revenues and profitability."

Unlimited potential

During the two-day event, attendees were able to participate in interactive panel discussions and numerous networking sessions. Experts from Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, Kempinski and Starwood shared positive and negative experiences, and provided insight.

Christopher Cox, the regional director of CEE for Preferred Hotels and Resorts, said: "I think such an event is very valuable for the hospitality industry in the region, which is definitely an important region with unlimited potential." Oliver Fodor, head of the Tourism Administration and Catering Unit in the Deputy State Secretariat for Tourism and Ministry for National Economy of Hungary, and Akos Niklai, the president of the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association and VP HOTREC, were also present.

The Leaders in Hospitality CEE and CIS Summit is the only premier event for the industry that brings together leading hoteliers, key experts, real estate developers, investors, government officials and solution providers from across the region.