All articles by Amit Thadani
Amit Thadani
Industry insight
With more than 30 years’ experience within the industry, Duncan O’Rourke has held several executive positions in Europe, the US and the Middle East. Having served as general manager, regional director, and later chief operating officer at Kempinski, O’Rourke then joined Accor in 2016 – carving out a reputation as something of a specialist in the luxury hotel segment. More recently, he was promoted to CEO for Accor’s extended Northern Europe division, taking charge of 1,100 hotels across 30 countries. He tells Hotel Management International about the changing face of hospitality in the wake of the pandemic, and his enduring love of Italian motorbikes.
A better way to do business
As society continues to transition to more sustainable living patterns, hotel and hospitality venues can increasingly cater to an eco-conscious clientele. Whether hotels operate independently or are part of ambitious high-rise mixed-use developments, they can – and must – play a pivotal part in the circular economy. Jim Banks speaks to Rekha Toora, senior vice-president of EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) capital markets for hospitality at JLL, and Marie Fukudome, director of environmental affairs at Hyatt, about the importance of sustainability in investment strategies, and the design and build of new properties.
Taking shop, taking stock
The International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin brought over 1,200 senior leaders in global hospitality investment and development together for the first time in 18 months. Gary King reports on a conference centred around the notion of rethinking hospitality in unprecedented times.
Change with the times
To help safeguard guests from Covid-19 and improve contactless interactions, hoteliers are embracing technology like never before, but whether these short-term fixes will modernise the industry across the board remains to be seen. As part of an ongoing series, tech leaders from across the hospitality sphere, from global brands to smaller boutique names, tell Hotel Management International how Covid-19 has affected the adoption of cloud technologies and how these changes will be manifested long-term.
For your services
HFTP announces Mark G Haley and Raman (RP) Rama as the 2021 inductees to the Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame.
Calling all hoteliers
It’s no secret that the UK’s hospitality industry is experiencing recruitment issues. In fact, job vacancies are at their highest levels since records began, with industry bodies estimating that around one in five workers have left the sector during the coronavirus pandemic. With Brexit also driving worker shortages and further research suggesting that job vacancies in the industry were at high levels before the UK went into its first lockdown, Covid-19 cannot be solely to blame for a dearth of key workers within the sector. Mae Losasso speaks to Sophie Kilic, SVP for human resources at Accor Northern Europe, about the short and long-term solutions for the industry’s staffing crisis.
The lap of eco-luxury
Buoyed by efforts to combat climate change and the rapidly intensifying focus on sustainability, a new generation of eco-hotels and nature resorts are expanding around the globe. Billed as impressive hospitality ventures in their own right, these properties are made with local materials and powered by sustainable energy sources, emphasising clean living principles along with a respect for the fragile ecosystems they inhabit. Will Moffitt speaks to architects working to craft the next generation of hotels that seek to protect the earth – rather than simply pay homage to it.
Radisson Collection launches new global art series with emerging artists to create art inspired by each hotel’s iconic location
Radisson Collection, Radisson Hotel Group’s premium lifestyle brand, is proud to announce a new series of global art collaborations working with local emerging artists to create a curated selection of immersive artwork and creative lifestyle experiences for guests to enjoy as the brand continues to expand its luxury portfolio with key flagship openings in an innovative and creative manner.
Groups360 to partner with PCI Security Standards council to help secure payment data worldwide
As Council’s Newest Participating Organization Groups360 to Contribute to The Development of PCI Security Standards
React Mobile Enlists Best Buy Business for Hospitality to Aid in Deployment of Panic Buttons and Beacons at Hotels Nationwide
React Mobile is leveraging Geek Squad® to help hotels meet the industry’s growing demand — and legislative requirements — for Employee Safety Devices