Tag: Hospitality

Insights from the Resort & Residential Hospitality Forum in Athens

Posted on by Dan Akhtar

The Resort & Residential Hospitality Forum (R&R) was held in Athens last week and brought together leading investors, developers, and hospitality professionals to discuss the current resort and residential real estate industry. While taking place in Athens for the first time, the forum continued to offer valuable insights into how the sector is evolving and how it sits in the current hospitality investment landscape. We have distilled some of the reports, including from Hospitality Investor and Savills, into key themes that are influencing hospitality investment and development across the globe. 

Greece 
For years, Spain has held a dominant position as the preferred destination for Mediterranean hospitality investment. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the location of the event, Greece was put forward as a formidable competitor. According to Hospitality Investor, Greece is now a market of higher potential returns compared to its Western Mediterranean counterpart, with strong growth in its luxury and eco-conscious offerings.  

This shift can be attributed to several factors, including increased government incentives, robust tourism growth, and a pivot towards year-round destinations. High-profile developments in Athens, the Cyclades, and the Peloponnese are attracting global attention, with a focus on luxury resorts and branded residential projects. These developments highlight Greece’s ability to offer not just natural beauty but also long-term investment returns, with a strategic focus on sustainable and premium tourism experiences.

Branded Residences
The branded residences market continues to expand, driven by demand for premium living experiences that combine private ownership with the quality and service of luxury hotel brands. According to the Branded Residences Annual Report 2024-2025 by Savills, this market is expected to grow by 12% globally over the next two years. The report notes that branded residences have historically been associated with ultra-luxury brands, but mid-market operators are entering the space, appealing to a wider audience. 

Branded residences offer clear benefits for all stakeholders. Developers gain diversified revenue streams and enhanced brand loyalty, while buyers enjoy an exclusive ownership experience supported by five-star hotel services. For investors, branded residences represent an opportunity to tap into growing demand for high-quality, flexible living options. In Greece, these projects are increasingly integrated into mixed-use developments, combining residential units, hospitality offerings, and retail spaces. This approach aligns with the broader “placemaking” trend, where creating vibrant, interconnected communities is as important as the individual buildings themselves. 

The Modern Traveller
One of the most striking discussions at the forum was around the evolving expectations of today’s travellers. Modern consumers are prioritising authenticity, personalisation, and immersive experiences over traditional notions of luxury. This shift is driving developers to innovate and rethink how properties are designed and operated. 

Hospitality Investor observed that guests increasingly favour properties that integrate local culture, wellness-focused designs, and sustainable practices. For Greece, this has translated into a focus on eco-conscious resorts and developments that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings. For example, developers are prioritising green building practices, such as the use of renewable materials and energy-efficient technologies. There is also a growing emphasis on experiential travel, with properties offering cultural immersion, farm-to-table dining, and bespoke wellness retreats. Meeting these expectations is essential for operators aiming to remain competitive in an increasingly discerning market. 

Increased Liquidity in Leisure Investments
Another significant trend discussed at the forum was the anticipated increase in liquidity within the leisure sector. Institutional investors are expected to unlock substantial capital in the coming year, particularly for leisure-focused assets. According to this article, mixed-use developments are proving particularly attractive for their ability to cater to multiple market segments while delivering stable returns. 

For developers, this means aligning projects with institutional investment flows. Mixed-use developments, which combine hospitality, branded residences, and retail components, are particularly appealing due to their diversified revenue streams and ability to address multiple consumer needs. This offers exciting opportunities for projects that balance scalability with innovation and sustainability. 

Sustainability
As with most recent European conferences, Sustainability emerged as a central theme throughout the forum. It is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a fundamental expectation from both investors and consumers. Savills emphasise the importance of incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into development strategies, noting that guests are increasingly drawn to properties that demonstrate tangible commitments to sustainability. 

Developers are responding with innovative approaches, from carbon-neutral building designs to waste reduction programmes. In Greece, the integration of sustainability into new developments is particularly significant, as it ensures the preservation of the natural beauty that is such a key draw for the country’s tourism. For example, many luxury resorts in Greece are adopting renewable energy solutions, such as solar power and water recycling systems. These initiatives not only reduce environmental impact but also appeal to the growing segment of eco-conscious travellers. 

 Takeaways
The discussions at the R&R Forum offered a clear message: the hospitality and residential sectors are at a pivotal moment of transformation. For developers, operators, and investors, adapting to these changes is essential for future success.  

  • Target Emerging Markets: Greece and other underexplored regions offer untapped potential for savvy investors. Identifying the right opportunities in these markets can lead to significant returns. 
  • Innovate with Branded Residences: As this market continues to grow, incorporating branded residential components into developments can offer long-term financial and operational benefits. 
  • Prioritise Sustainability: ESG goals must be integrated into every stage of development. This is not just a trend but a consumer and regulatory expectation. 
  • Understand the Modern Traveller: Developers must align their projects with the demand for authenticity, wellness, and cultural immersion. 
  • Leverage Liquidity Trends: Mixed-use developments that cater to multiple income streams and market segments are key to capturing institutional investment. 

 From Greece’s emergence as an investment hotspot to the rise of branded residences, the R&R Forum highlighted the resilience and adaptability of the hospitality and residential sectors which are now poised for a positive 2025. By staying ahead of market trends and aligning strategies with consumer and investor expectations, we help ensure that our clients are well-positioned to capitalise on new opportunities and proactively manage challenges. If you would like to have a chat about how we can support your people strategy then please get touch. 

Dan Akhtar, Managing Director – HPG Advisory Services  
+44 208 600 1166 / +44 7808 157796  
[email protected] 

Will AI replace human hospitality recruiters?

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

Last year, the Metaverse was touted as the future of business. While that might certainly be the case at some point in the future, it feels that the enthusiasm for this project has waned.  

The technology needed to experience Web 3.0 is still unfamiliar to many, but more importantly, there has been a huge backtrack in recent months from innovators such as Meta and Disney, as they have dramatically reduced their workforces dedicated to this sector. 

On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing in influence. We are familiar with AI through popular culture, and Hollywood movies have often highlighted the advantages and disadvantages very clearly, and often, dramatically!  

Since Chat GPT was launched in November 2022, we have seen a sudden deluge of AI add-ons and features added to familiar websites, search engines, and productivity programmes. Devices we already own, suddenly have the ability to leverage the power of advanced AI…. for free. 

There is no doubt that AI is disrupting the way we work, live and interact. Like all advancements, it has the potential to create both new opportunities and challenges for various sectors, and the hospitality industry is no different.  

But what impact is this technology likely to have on recruitment in the hospitality industry? 

Hospitality Skills
Before we look at how AI could affect recruitment, it is important to ask if AI might make a difference in the type of roles or skills that may become more sought after in future.  

AI can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of many jobs across the sector by automating repetitive and routine tasks, such as data entry, reconciliation, invoicing and payments.  

This can free up time and resources for employees to focus on more strategic and innovative activities. This could help hospitality professionals to generate new insights and recommendations, identify new opportunities and trends, and create new products and services. 

While the reduction of manual tasks may certainly affect the number of employees required, it may also help augment the skills and capabilities of employees to help them to deliver more value for their businesses and guests. This would require the industry to continue to adapt and evolve roles and responsibilities and acquire new skills and competencies to leverage the power of these technological advancements. 

Recruitment
We know that finding and hiring perfect candidates for hospitality roles is a challenging and time-consuming process. AI will certainly be able to help streamline and improve certain recruitment processes including: 

  • The screening and shortlisting of candidates based on their resumes, skills, qualifications and experience. AI could help save recruiters time and effort and reduce human bias and errors 
  • Providing personalised and timely communication, feedback and guidance throughout the recruitment journey. This can increase candidate engagement and satisfaction, and improve the employer brand 
  • Providing insights and recommendations for recruiters and hiring managers. This can help them make better and faster decisions, optimise their strategies, and identify talent gaps and opportunities. 
  • Helping candidates find and apply for roles that match their preferences, goals and potential. This can increase the quality and diversity of the talent pool, and reduce the turnover rate. 

Understanding Bias in AI  
A 2021 Forbes article, Understanding Bias in AI Enabled Hiring, it was highlighted how AI objectively assesses the data points and reduces assumptions, mental fatigue and bias that humans often succumb to.  

While there is a risk of human bias being subconsciously programmed into the AI algorithm, there are still clear advantages to relying on AI to screen candidates on a large scale.  

In 2019, a Harvard Business Review article, Will AI reduce Gender Bias in Hiring, it highlighted that AI does not need to engage in unconscious biases to penalise based on gender or other under-represented groups in order to get a self-esteem boost. 

Reducing human bias is undoubtedly a fairer solution, but this lack of bias could also be a significant drawback to AI-based recruitment.  If a business wanted to diversify its workforce or business culture, recruitment without any human judgement may not serve the purpose.  

There are candidates out there with atypical work experiences that fail to meet the AI algorithm standards, who could potentially be the best fit in terms of their individual personality, interests, character and work ethics. 

Our Conclusion
As specialists in people strategy, we recognise that our view comes from a position of bias, but we strongly feel that AI will never replace our consultants. It will likely become a powerful tool that can augment our capabilities and performance, by helping reduce mundane tasks. This will allow us to focus on the human aspects of people and performance strategies, such as building relationships, focussing on retention and culture, and providing added value to businesses and candidates. 

If you would like to have a chat about your people strategy, please get in touch and we can chat – human to human – on Tel: +44 20 8600 1166. 

 

Briefing: securing a resilient, lasting hospitality industry in Africa

Posted on by HPG Advisory

There is exciting growth in Africa, but what does the industry need to remember in order to build a market that works? Deals need to be solid, finances need to be secure, and the existing culture and infrastructure needs to be considered.

There is little point in rushing through a development that cannot be sustained for the future. It is also vital that there is quality in the product on offer. In this briefing four experts give their views on the key elements for successful developments in Africa:

  • Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News with three pieces of advice for the hospitality industry

  • Olaf Schmidt, Global Sector Head – Tourism, Retail & Property, IFC – World Bank Group shares three messages from the IFC

  • Philippe Doizelet, Managing Partner, Horwath HTL – France on what the African hospitality industry could improve on

  • Rohan Patel, Director, Sankara Hotel Group Kenya Ltd on why hotel development projects must be sustainable

 


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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: youth shaping the future of hospitality in the Middle East

Posted on by HPG Advisory

The growing population of young people within the Middle East is formidable, both the domestic population and the increased immigration into the region. This new generation will become tomorrow’s CEOs and General Managers and they are wired differently to any generation the world has ever seen.

As this demographic increases there are enormous opportunities for the hospitality industry, not only for them to be potential customers but also as potential colleagues.

What needs to be done to encourage talent into the industry? How should the industry change to cater for new tastes? And how should leaders impart their experience and knowledge to educate this new workforce? We hear from experts aiming to answer these questions including:

  • Pascal Gauvin, COO – India, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group on the growth of the domestic market in the Middle East.
  • Badr Al Badr, CEO of Saudi Hotels & Resorts (SHARACO) on workforce conditions in Saudi Arabia.
  • Muhammad Al-Amir,  Founder & MD of Riyada International Hotels and Resorts on bringing the new generation into hospitality
  • Gabriel Matar, former Director – Middle East & Africa, Hotels & Hospitality Group, Jones Lang LaSalle on the young population’s demand for hotels.

If you’ve been sent to this page but you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do so here. It’s free.

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

Briefing: Government’s contribution to hospitality

Posted on by HPG Advisory

Hospitality is one of the most stable sectors globally. There is no doubt that the long-term projection for the industry is incredibly healthy with travel and tourism going from strength to strength. Why then are global governments not paying that much attention? And how should the industry change this?

In this briefing we hear from experts who are looking to demonstrate to global governments why hospitality is an incredibly vibrant industry to be investing in. Including comment from:

  • David Thomson, COO of JA Resorts & Hotels on getting the attention of government
  • Paul Slattery, Director of Otus & Co Advisory Ltd on why governments should get their act together
  • Nick van Marken, Partner & Global Head – Travel, Hospitality & Leisure of Deloitte LLP on new leaders needed to bring back optimism
  • And Gaël Le Lay, Head of Hotel Investment of AXA Real Estate on why governments shouldn’t get involved…
 


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

Briefing: mobile – the big sell

Posted on by HPG Advisory

Mobile technology is expanding at such a rate that it is really any wonder how people keep up with it. iPhone 5GS, Samsung Galaxy S4, Windows 8, Android, and BlackBerry are just a handful of terms that are in our modern-day vernacular without many of us really understanding what it means for us and for business.

Mobile smartphones are the most powerful selling technique which is set to dominate long into the future and we need to be utilising this medium across our business. Whether that’s checking emails, social networks, looking for reviews, playing games, watching films, purchasing hotel rooms and perhaps after all that making a phone call. It should certainly be embraced and our experts this week discuss this with comment from:

  • Cyril Ranque, SVP of Global Market Management for Expedia on the power that these devices bring to the consumer.
  • Douglas Rice, Executive VP & CEO of Hotel Technology Next Generation on expectations being raised with mobile
  • Leo Brand, CEO of Swisscom Hospitality Services on the need for hospitality to up its game
  • Peter O’Connor, Professor & Academic Director of ESSEC Business School on seizing the immense power of mobile in hotels

If you’ve been sent to this page but you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do so here. It’s free.

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

Briefing: developing the owner / operator relationship

Posted on by HPG Advisory

The owner and operator relationship is a constantly developing alliance. In this new fast-paced, information abundant world many believe that industry’s reaction to changes in this relationship has been too slow.  It is essential that all parties understand the best way to manage this integral relationship.

This week, our experts discuss how they see the relationship blossoming and the pitfalls to avoid:

  • Christoph Härle, CEO – Continental Europe, Hotels & Hospitality Group of Jones Lang LaSalle on the professionalism of the relationship
  • Laurence Geller CBE,  Former Chairman & CEO of Strategic Hotels & Resorts on tensions arising
  • Rudi Jagersbacher, President – Middle East & Africa of Hilton Worldwide, on the sophistication of owners
  • Nick van Marken, Partner & Global Head – Travel, Hospitality & Leisure of Deloitte LLP on the skewed perception he sees

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

Briefing: a focus on the UK hospitality market

Posted on by HPG Advisory

The mature UK market has seen many changes in the last few years, not least in the change for demand in new hotel product as well as the lack of funding for new projects. One factor, however, has remained a constant.

The contrast between the provincial market and the London market has never been so different. London is a safe-haven for investors and good assets are at a premium. This of course isn’t the case in the provinces with many of the markets still struggling.

Is this about to change? And where is the future of the UK market? Experts in this briefing discuss, including comment from:

  • Andrew Taylor, National Head of Leisure at NatWest, on the future of the UK market
  • Rob Gray, Director & Head of Hotels & Leisure within RBS Global Restructuring, on the downturns seen in the UK market
  • Patrick Sanville, Director of Hotels at BNP Paribas Real Estate on where the funding is coming from for this market
  • And Rob Seabrook, Head of Hotel Transactions at Savills on liquidity returning to the provincial UK market
 


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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: Europe needs to demonstrate growth to attract investment

Posted on by HPG Advisory

With the green shoots of growth being seen across the European market, many believe we are seeing early optimism for not only the hospitality sector but all industry. However, with increasing influence of alternative markets, like China and Brazil, the EU needs to showcase itself as a great place too for capital investment.

As a mature market it has many strengths and we have seen a resurgence in deal making. The long-term prospects of hospitality are paramount, but with the incessant need for short-term returns, is Europe going to be able to show strong enough growth for investors to persevere? In this briefing we hear from:

  • Arthur de Haast, Chairman – Hotels & Hospitality Group for Jones Lang LaSalle on confidence being seen in the market.
  • Josh Wyatt, Partner – Hospitality & Leisure at Patron Capital Advisors LLP on whether Europe is the most exciting place for investment.
  • Richard Candey, Senior Director – Head of Hospitality for DTZ on the resurgence in deal making across Europe
  • And Andrew Taylor, National Head of Leisure for NatWest on London being a very different market to anywhere else in Europe.
 


If you’ve been sent to this page but you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do so here. It’s free.

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.

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