IHG Archives - HPG Advisory Services I Hospitality Leadership Advisory

Briefing: the threat and opportunity of Online Travel Agents

Posted on February 20, 2014February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Online travel agents have embraced the digital world as a new business platform. They have taken full advantage of the low costings, have shaken up the industry, and have forced prices down.

The efficient booking processes appeal to today’s time-strapped, bargain-hunting customers. While this is a fantastic way for brands to distribute their product to a large market, there is a risk that appearing on OTA sites will reduce direct engagement with the hotel’s own online presence.

In this briefing we have expert discussion on the changing relationship between OTA’s and hoteliers. Comment from:

Amine Moukarzel, President of Golden Tulip Hotels on the vital role of online travel agents

Pascal Gauvin COO – India, Middle East & Africa of InterContinental Hotels Group with tips on managing the OTA relationship

Russel Sharpe, COO in the Hotel Division of Landmark Hospitality on OTAs being a necessary evil

Satyan Joshi, Industry Manager for travel at Google on the way hoteliers view the OTA footprint

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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: youth shaping the future of hospitality in the Middle East

Posted on February 13, 2014February 21, 2019 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.

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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

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.

Briefing: sourcing and incubating talent

Posted on April 11, 2013February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

For those who were not able to attend IHIF last month, our own Peter Malone facilitated a session which focused on sourcing and incubating talent. He was joined by:

Srdjan Milekovic, VP – Human Resources, Hyatt International (EMEA) LLC

Pierre O. Botteron, VP – Human Resources, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts

Franco Valletta, Chief Officer – Organisation Development & HR, Corinthia Hotels

Tony Voller, SVP – HR Asia, Middle East, Africa & Europe & Global Resourcing, IHG

The panel discussed sourcing, incubating, retention and technology in relation to hospitality people, and naturally provided an interesting range of experience and expertise.

Despite the impressive line-up, Peter decided even more expertise would be useful to the audience, so he arranged for another 15 people from the industry, with great experience and perspective of talent, to share their “pearls of wisdom” in relation to recruiting and retaining the best people.

The four short videos below are the result of Peter’s request for help, and are a great resource for anyone in the industry who needs to focus on getting the best from hospitality people.

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Briefing: Europe still a challenging environment

Posted on January 31, 2013February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Deal making activity has undoubtedly slowed in the past couple of years, with Europe feeling the full force of economic instability. In many ways this period of uncertainty and distress has allowed many from the hospitality world to restructure businesses and cut relevant costs in order to survive. Consequently, businesses are now run much more efficiently.

There are still challenges with growth and hospitality needs to demonstrate that it is a valuable industry that the Governments of Europe, and the World, should take seriously.

In this briefing we hear from:

John Brennan, of Jurys Inn Group on the challenges with growth in Europe

Robert Shepherd of IHG on re-focusing for the European market

Andrew Sangster Editor of Hotel Analyst on opportunities emerging in restructuring

And Clive Hillier, of Vision Hospitality Asset Management on no more cost-cutting left to do

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.

Briefing: understanding the role of the owner

Posted on January 17, 2013February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Appreciating who takes responsibility for risk in a hotel is something which has been scrutinised deeply in light of the recent recession. All those involved in deal making need to understand the risks in a new development or project in order for it to be successful.

Historically, maybe there has been too much risk with the owner and many big brands are now taking this into consideration when pursuing a new development.

In this week’s briefing we hear from:

Robert Shepherd, of InterContinental Hotel Group on sharing the owner responsibility.

Frank Croston, Partner of Hamilton Hotel Partners on whether there is too much risk with the owner

Peter Norman, of Hyatt International on the location and the owner being pivotal in deal-making

And Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels on the elements of a successful hotel

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.

Briefing: building customer loyalty in the digital world

Posted on October 4, 2012February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

The new digital world allows all brands and individuals to communicate with each other with the click of a few buttons. But is the hospitality sector fully utilising all the tools available?

Mobile technologies now allow General Managers and other executives to understand exactly what is going on in real-time. This has never been achievable before, and it will only improve over time.

By being clever with contemporary technologies, brands can build advocacy and loyalty in a very personalised and specific way. Building this loyalty and the techniques of doing so are discussed in this week’s briefing.

Including comment from:

Sean Worker, CEO of Bridgestreet on understanding his customer needs 24/7.

Andrew Sangster, of the Hotel Analyst, on building a picture of consumers in real-time.

Robert Shepherd, SVP of Development and Design for IHG Europe, on what techniques IHG are implementing to build brand advocacy.

And Peter O’Connor, of the Essec Business School, on tactics for achieving loyalty with online consumers.

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.

Briefing: contemporary hospitality innovation

Posted on August 30, 2012February 21, 2019 by HPG Advisory

Innovation within hotels is an essential part of hotel construction. Letting rooms go too long without renovation can severely damage a brand, especially when pictures and opinion can be readily shared at the click of a button. But how can you be innovative without huge investment.

Some of the leading brands are taking new steps to reduce costs with room construction as well as renovating old rooms to come in line with the modern-day consumer.

How innovative can you be with a hotel room though? Many believe that the real innovation we are going to see is in marketing and communication of brands rather than the physical innovations of a hotel.

These issues are discussed in this week’s briefing. Including comment from:

Robert Shepherd, of InterContinental Hotel Group speaking about constructing rooms off site to reduce costs.

Andrew Sangster, of Hotel Analyst, on innovations seen in communication not engineering.

John Brennan, CEO of Jurys Inn Hotels, on the investment his company is undertaking in technology

And Guus Bakker, of Frasers Hospitality on equipping rooms with relevant technology.

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