Briefing: Industry disruptors – Innovative hospitality business models

Hospitality is changing. Consumers have more and more options to choose from and increasingly original ways to purchase them. Innovative companies are creating new business models to maximise income from hospitality products. Consumers are even selling amongst themselves in the so-called “sharing economy”.

According to experts, disruptive plays and business model innovation are now more important than traditional strategies based around competition and internal efficiency. Accessibility via digital platforms means disruptors can build large market share within just a few years. Therefore every company must look at their assets and how they might innovate, even if primarily to defend their market.

Discussing these new hospitality business models are:

  • Frank Croston, Partner, Hamilton Hotel Partners on how consumers win in the competition with new wave hospitality

  • Preben Vestdam, Managing Director, HotelSwaps on a bartering programme based on hotel rooms

  • Stephen Balzer, Chief Executive Officer, Red Onion GmbH on what the sharing economy means for consumers

  • Sean Worker, Chief Executive Officer, BridgeStreet Global Hospitality on a company re-branding that responded to customer demand for transparency

 

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Briefing: like, share and embed travel experiences

Online feedback has transformed the hospitality industry. Comment cards and guest books have always allowed customers to share their thoughts on their stay, but now these experiences, both good and bad, are being shared immediately online and it’s influencing where customers choose to spend their money.

Consumers want to get a glimpse of holiday destinations before they go. They are getting their ideas directly from other visitors, not just marketing teams.

So how are hotels dealing with review websites? In what new ways can the holiday experience be shared? And can digital communities be integrated into the marketing plan? Comment from:

  • Charlie Osmond, Chief Tease, TripTease on content creation & social media driving business growth
  • Sinai Pedreschi, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Stafford London on TripAdvisor and customer feedback
  • Satyan Joshi, Industry Manager – Travel, Google on the impact of video reviews on hotels and OTAs
  • Christopher Michau, VP – Global Partner Group, Expedia France SAS on integrating social media into the travel business model
 


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Briefing: establishing hotel product for new markets

Hotel brands are expanding across new and exciting global markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In order to fully exploit these vast opportunities, brands must first analyse the needs and expectations in their chosen location. A successful product will be established in a way that embraces the ideas emerging from these unique markets and will avoid using a “cookie-cutter” approach.

Brands are adapting their business strategies to incorporate a sense of place, while maintaining the standards and services which differentiate them from their competitors. This briefing includes case studies and comments from:

  • Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP- Development, Europe and Africa at Hilton Worldwide on giving an African flavour to their services
  • Jean-Jacques Dessors, COO – Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean & Caribbean Island, Accor SA on responding to market needs
  • Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA on marrying brand standards with a strong sense of place
  • Darroch Crawford, Managing Director of Premier Inn Hotels LLC on tweaking a product to fit the market


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Briefing: youth shaping the future of hospitality in the Middle East

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.

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Briefing: the time to budget

One of the latest developments in European hospitality is the very bullish view of the budget hotel sector. Consumers are willing to compromise on luxury if it means a fair price. This increased competitiveness is being seen across the European market leaving much of the mid-market sector being squeezed and having to reassess their hotel product.

What does the future hold for the budget sector? And how will hoteliers look to capitalise on this new wave of excitement? All these components are discussed in this briefing, including comments from:

  • Peter Verhoeven, COO – ibis Brands Europe for Accor SA on the sectors increasing competitiveness
  • Josh Wyatt, Director – Hospitality & Leisure for Patron Capital Advisers LLP on the booming sector in Europe
  • Patrick Dempsey, Managing Director of Whitbread Hotels and Resorts on the ingredients of a successful budget hotel
  • And Rob Gray, Director – Head of Hotels & Leisure – West Register Property for RBS Global Restructuring Group on the hotel product that is on the rise
 


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Briefing: Europe needs to demonstrate growth to attract investment

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.
 


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Briefing: global development of hospitality brands

Economic recovery globally is in a much better position than it was 12 months ago. Some markets however are still struggling whilst others are thriving and it’s integral to understand the macro-economic fundamentals before getting into the detail.

Whether you are a hospitality developer or an investor, understanding what product is needed in each market is essential and many believe this has fundamentally changed in recent years.

Which markets are the developers investing time and money to get a hotel product into locations? Which hotel product will work well in specific locations? How do you go about putting together a successful deal? All discussed in this briefing, including comments from:

  • Gerald Lawless, CEO of Jumeirah Group on the global growth of the luxury brand
  • Richard Candey, Head of Hospitality at DTZ on what makes a great deal
  • Maria Zarraluqui, VP – Development of Melia Hotels International on the worldwide regions her group are investing in
  • Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels on transactions in the US & EMEA region.
 


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Briefing: appreciating the growth opportunities in Africa

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: hospitality being noticed by global Governments

One of the biggest problems hospitality has is demonstrating to the Government’s of the World the value the industry brings to their economies. Hospitality seems to continually fall off the radar when it comes to the key drivers of change and growth across the World.

With the work of Taleb Rifai at the UNWTO and David Scowsill of the WTTC the industry is beginning to put its head above the parapet and be noticed.

In this briefing we hear from:

  • Taleb Rifai on the UNWTO and the WTTC tackling Governments together.
  • David Scowsill of the WTTC on how much tourism generates for the global economy.
  • Ed Fuller, former MD at Marriott International on the need for Governments to help the industry.
  • And Sir Nigel Knowles, co-CEO of DLA Piper LLP on problems faced by Governments at the moment.

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