Tag: intercontinental hotels group

Briefing: Growth and opportunities in Russia

Posted on by HPG Advisory

Russia’s hospitality market is young compared to other European destinations. It is growing as a destination and the number of outbound Russian travellers is also increasing. It is a unique market covering a vast space and has highly populated cities. Supply at the premium end of the market in the main cities has met demand. It is now the regional markets and midscale market that hold the opportunities.

In this briefing experts outline how they see the Russian economy, and what challenges Russia holds. Comment from:

  • Scott Antel, Partner, DLA Piper Rus Ltd  on the regional Russian markets

  • Robert Shepherd, Chief Development Officer – Europe, InterContinental Hotels Group on why it’s worth a visit to RHIC

  • Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on Russia growing as a destination and a source market

  • Aron Libinson, VP Development – Russia, CIS & Georgia, InterContinental Hotels Group on the opportunity for growth in Russia

 

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

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: ensuring customer loyalty in hotels

Posted on 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

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

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: a focus on the 5* hotel segment

Posted on by HPG Advisory

At the top end of the hospitality market it is not all about growing an empire as quickly as possible. It is about getting things right and pushing the product to be the very best it can be.

There is a focus on attracting ‘the right kind of customer’, who will bring in a lot of revenue. Consumers are attracted to 5* properties because they are a step above the rest and can be relied upon to offer them what they need.

So what kind of customers use 5* hotels? How important is it to build brand awareness? And where does a 5* product sit within the rest of the market? Answering these questions are:

  • Andrew Boshoff, Head of Strategy & Development, Global Hotel Alliance on a loyalty programme that targets upmarket, international travellers

  • Haddis Tilahun, Executive Director, United Africa Group on leading the way with five star hotels

  • Reto Wittwer, President & CEO, Kempinski on the idea that luxury equals individuality

  • Taras Ettl, VP – Development, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group on answering the demand for a five star business brand

 


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

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: the threat and opportunity of Online Travel Agents

Posted on 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
 


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: 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.

Chat Button