africa Archives - HPG Advisory Services I Hospitality Leadership Advisory

Briefing: ensuring customer loyalty in hotels

Posted on July 10, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Customer loyalty is crucial for a successful hotel business. Small and boutique hotels need to offer something special to their customers in order to compete with the chains. Meanwhile international brands are rolling out increasingly sophisticated loyalty schemes to ensure that their customers return to them wherever they go in the world.

While loyalty schemes are not new, hotels are now connecting with customers on an individual level to make them feel appreciated and valued. These operations require careful management and the right technology. Comment from:

Mark Weinstein, VP – Strategy & Loyalty, Hilton Worldwide on why loyalty schemes are critical to business growth
Taras Ettl, VP – Development, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group on InterContinental’s loyalty programme
Andrew Boshoff, Head of Strategy & Development, Global Hotel Alliance on loyalty being the largest area of opportunity for hotels
Sinai Pedreschi, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Stafford London on The TNTs that make customers come back

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Briefing: African economy is an environment for growth

Posted on May 22, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

There is enormous potential for the hospitality industry to expand in Africa. The long term trends suggest that there is a positive future to be had. Continued economic growth and improved infrastructure is giving companies a strong environment to work in.

The hotel market in Africa is still relatively new so there are gaps to be filled, new customers to be reached and new services to be offered. There is great scope for experienced companies to find their place in Africa. Discussing the African economy are:

Daniel Silke, Political Analyst & Keynote Speaker, Political Futures Consulting on democratisation in Africa
Philippe Baretaud, SVP, Development Europe, Middle East & Africa, Accor SA on the African economy in five years
David Harper, Head of Property Services, Hotel Partners Africa on Africa’s hotel shortage and economic growth
Filippo Sona, Director – Head of Hotels & Hospitality (MENA Region), Colliers International on Africa offering a virgin market as well as economic growth

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: impacts of digital technology on hospitality

Posted on February 6, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

In the modern world the way we receive information and the place we go for news, views and updates is through a connected device. Whether that be a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile, digital technology is so engrained in life that we don’t even think about it.

As an industry inherently involved in relationships with people, it is imperative that we embrace instant communication and have a strong understanding of how all these tools fit together. In this briefing we hear from 4 experts on how it is affecting the world as they see it. Including:

Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News on the increased exposure digital platforms can afford you

Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP – Development, Europe & Africa of Hilton Worldwide on why embracing technology is integral for success

Taras Ettl, VP – Development, Middle East & Africa of InterContinental Hotels Group on how technology has impacted IHG

Andrew McLachlan, VP – Business Development, Africa & Indian Ocean Islands of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group on the communications revolution

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Briefing: an unchartered continent for most

Posted on December 12, 2013February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Africa is a continent which many view with much trepidation and caution due to its relative unknown way of doing business. That is at least the general assumption from those who have visited…

The continent is one of incredible opportunity for all industries not only for the domestic population but also for big hotel brands moving into markets and investing in the potential. Understanding this potential is very important, what hotel product will work well?

Who should you choose as local partners? What are the pitfalls from those that have been there. Find out in this briefing:

Ewan Cameron, CEO of Lonrho Hotels on the opportunity he sees on the continent
Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality on the hotel product which will work well
Nawfal Bendefa, Managing Director of ACTIF INVEST on the investment building blocks needed
And Valentine Ozigbo, MD & CEO of Transnational Hotels & Tourism Services Ltd on the market which is about to explode

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Briefing: Risk vs. Reward on the African continent

Posted on September 18, 2013February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Africa has been an inherently risky market for the hospitality industry. The diversity of countries means that understanding one particular area in which to invest can be time-consuming and difficult. However, countries like Kenya and the Ivory Coast are making it much easier to open the door for international investors.

There is still a long way to go, but with compelling figures of ‘a billion middle-class citizens by 2050’ it is no wonder hotel companies are looking to secure assets for the long-term now. Videos in this briefing include clips from:

Chief Edem Duke, Minister for Tourism for Nigeria on investment becoming easier

Alex Kyriakidis, President – Middle East & Africa for Marriott International on one billion middle-class citizens

Roger Kacou, Minister for Tourism for Cote d’Ivoire on balancing the risk and reward of investment

Bani Haddad, Regional VP – Middle East & Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group, on the new rules for the African market

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Briefing: African continent on the right track

Posted on June 13, 2013February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Undersupply of hotel product in Africa is certainly prevalent, however the complex nature of a continent with so many different moving parts, makes harnessing the right opportunities difficult. Regional obstacles need to be overcome in order to fully unlock the hospitality potential, with governments and businesses working together to ensure key objectives are met.

New investment still broadly comes from the domestic market but big international investors and big brand hotels are now realising the inevitable opportunities created by a rising middle class. The prospects for the continent are discussed in this briefing, including videos from:

Roger Kacou, Minister for Tourism in Cote d’Ivoire on the continent being on the right track for inward investment

Chief Edem Duke, Minister for Tourism in Nigeria on the undersupply faced in Africa

Philippe Baretaud, SVP – Head of Development Europe, Middle East & Africa at ACCOR on the growth seen on the continent

And Trevor Ward, Managing Director of Hotel Partners Africa on the comprehensive case for investment

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: appreciating the growth opportunities in Africa

Posted on February 20, 2013February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

The Tipping Point for Africa has been imminent for a long time. The continent clearly holds huge opportunities, but the complexity and size of the 50+ countries means it is often very difficult to get product there. Having said that, many Governments are working together to try to encourage and break down the barriers for investment, as explained by Dr Nelson Githinji, the Tourism Secretary for Kenya.

For whatever reason, some African countries currently have no branded hotel product within their borders at all and although there are intricacies which need to be ironed out, you certainly shouldn’t dismiss Africa. Reasons why are explained in this briefing by:

Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP Development – Europe & Africa of Hilton Worldwide describes the plethora of opportunity on the continent.

Dr Nelson Githinji, Tourism Secretary of the Ministry for Tourism – Kenya, on the concessions for those who invest.

Jalil Mekouar, of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels on the resurgence of curiosity seen for Africa

And Joy Albright of the African Export-Import Bank on where she sees the appetite for investment

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Briefing: unprecedented growth for the African continent

Posted on November 1, 2012February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Africa is the continent of the future. The continent has unrivaled potential, with many believing it remains completely untapped. Some countries in Africa don’t yet have a branded hotel product.

Many countries within Africa are able to compete with nations across the globe. With its mining industry booming and a progressively wealthier population, the hotel industry can be part of the story developing across the continent.

Brands are sought after, but what are the challenges faced when entering into this new market and what does Africa need to do to encourage investment?

Experts this week include:

David Scowsill, the CEO of the WTTC on what needs to be done in Africa to galvanize the hospitality industry.

Ed Fuller, former President & CEO of Marriott International on the challenges faced by the company when investing in the first locations.

Sir Nigel Knowles, co-CEO of DLA Piper, on the need to take Africa seriously.

And Gordon Drake, CFO of Kingdom Hotel Investments, on the implications of the resource-laden continent

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Briefing: opportunity in Africa

Posted on June 7, 2012February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

The African continent is vast and one where there is a wealth of opportunity. Risks associated with the continent means many approach investing in the area with trepidation. However, many believe we are seeing its final dawn.

Some countries don’t have a branded hotel located within it, others are resource heavy and with a growing middle class the chance to really make headway is apparent.

Experts this week include:

Gordon Drake, CFO of Kingdom Hotel Investments, on a resource-laden continent

Timothy Lloyd Hughes, of Deutsche Bank, on Africa being another arrow in the BRIC bow

Peter Norman, of Hyatt International, on the inevitable chance there is now with Africa

And Nick van Marken, Hospitality Leader of Deloitte, on how Africa’s fragmentation resulting in opportunities for many.

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Video clips produced by yBC.tv for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.