Briefing: Digital age guests want connectivity as standard

We live in a world of consumerised, mobile technology where guests increasingly use the latest gadgets at home and on the move. When guests check in to a hotel they do not stop wanting this level of connectivity. The hotel industry is upping its game, embracing technology as a part of the hotel’s design, infrastructure, and service processes. With increased expectations of hotels and ‘basics’ redefined, brands must find ways to provide “next level” digital experiences for their guests. In this briefing we hear comment from:

  • Anton Bawab, Regional President, Viceroy Hotel Group on connective technology being a must have for hotels

  • Jim Abrahamson, Chief Executive Officer, Interstate Hotels & Resorts on why brands that give great experiences will succeed in the digital world

  • Kathleen Matthews, Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Marriott International Inc on customers wanting connectivity and rich experiences

  • Robert Shepherd, Chief Development Officer – Europe, InterContinental Hotels Group on innovative hotel designs that target modern business travellers

 

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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: Europe still a challenging environment

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

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Briefing: understanding the role of the owner

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
 


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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: adopting big brand strategies

All hospitality companies strategise over where the next growth market is, where can I cut costs in the current business and how can I appeal to my consumer even more? But what do the big brands think and planning for the future?

In this briefing we hear from executives at Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental Hotel Group and Accor Hotels on where they believe the growth of their brands will be. Understanding what they believe the development pipeline is can help shape the trends we may see in the future of hospitality.

Experts this week include:

  • Robert Shepherd, SVP Development and Design – Europe of InterContinental Hotel Group on strategies for a multi-brand organisation.
  • Andrew Sangster, Editor at Hotel Analyst, on what strategies the big hotel brands are employing.
  • Simon Vincent, President of Hilton Worldwide for Europe on the expansion of the Hilton brand.
  • And Yann Caillere, President & COO of Accor Hotels on the hospitality market in general.
 


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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: building customer loyalty in the digital world

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.

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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: contemporary hospitality innovation

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.
 


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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.

Briefing: momentum swing in Europe

Battling to retain market share when economic conditions are so tough is a continual headache for most, but has the industry seen the worst of it in Europe?

Although many believe the effects of the recession are still being felt, the rise in deal activity and general positivity in the market has allowed some to suggest the worst is behind us.

In this week’s briefing we hear from some key experts on their thoughts for the market in Europe, including:

  • Sir Nigel Knowles, co-CEO of DLA Piper on Europe retaining its economic competitiveness.
  • Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels on the momentum he sees in Europe.
  • Robert Shepherd, of InterContinental Hotels, on the effort they are putting in within Europe.
  • And Kingsley Seevaratnam of Westmont Hospitality Management, on how the economic conditions are still effecting market confidence.

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.

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