All articles by Blatha
Blatha
Under the influence
The rising popularity and influence of Instagram means hotels must invest in striking and unique design to attract customers. Hotel Management International hears from experts on the Instagram effect and the steps designers need to take to maximise this new source of exposure.
All’s well that starts well
The wellness industry is booming and hotels at all levels are looking to benefit. However, increased opportunities also mean an increasingly savvy guest demographic demanding something genuinely new and different. Paul King speaks to global spa leaders about the challenges of meeting those demands and why operators must adopt a ‘software approach’ when it comes to devising and delivering appropriate programming.
Healthy profits
For chefs at all levels, vegetarianism and sustainability can no longer be considered niche concerns. Chloe Scott-Moncrieff talks to restaurateur and activist Peggy Chan about blazing a trail for plant-based eating, and a hospitality career spanning three continents and a number of different incarnations.
Middle Eastern promise
The Israeli hotel market is going through something of a boom period, with performance hitting impressive levels in both city and resort destinations. Hotel Management International’s partners at STR break down the figures.
Break the system
In 2016, Shiva Foundation brought together a diverse group of hospitality players to create the Stop Slavery Hotel Industry Network, whose members collectively account for 6,000 properties in more than 100 countries and employ 220,000 people globally. Meenal Sachdev, founder and director of Shiva Foundation, outlines the story behind the network’s formation and highlights its ten recommendations for combatting modern slavery in the hospitality sector.
The finer details
Hans Koch discusses the importance of creating a hotel restaurant that can stand as its own unique endeavour, while maintaining the overall ambience of the wider establishment.
Into the breach
Marriott International has fallen victim to the second-largest data breach ever recorded. In this paradigm-shifting moment for the hospitality industry, Tim Gunn brings together what we know so far to assess what hoteliers need to learn from the hack and how they can balance data security with more traditional customer-facing goals.
The bigger picture
Deloitte’s European Hotel Investment Conference encouraged delegates to consider the long view when it can be all too easy to become distracted by more immediate concerns. Hotel Management International travelled to the Dorchester in London to hear some of the sector’s biggest names debate challenges and opportunities coming over the horizon.
Further afield
After almost 50 years in the hotel industry, finishing his career as GM of The Churchill in London, and Hyatt International’s VP for UK and Ireland, Michael Gray retired from front-line service in March 2016. However, he remains the UK and Ireland national delegate for EHMA, is committed to growing membership beyond the UK capital and will be visiting hoteliers across the region throughout 2019 in an effort to promote its benefits.
Proceed with caution
After another strong year of hotel performance in Europe, a sense of caution is now creeping in with signs of slowing growth and a shift in the profile of investors. Andreas Scriven, lead partner, hospitality and leisure at Deloitte, and Peter Szabo, associate at HVS Hodges Ward Elliott, give Patrick Kingsland their insights.