All articles by Blatha
Blatha
All’s well that starts well: architecture’s role in hospitality
Wellness architecture is the process of designing buildings that make their inhabitants healthier and happier. Elly Earls meets architects Veronica Schreibeis Smith and Julia Monk to find out what this means in a hospitality context, and why wellness needs to be a part of design discussions from day one.
An era of growth: Spain’s hotel industry
According to a recent study by Magma Hospitality Consulting and STR, thanks to the strong performance growth in several markets, Spain’s hotel industry has seen a surge in investment interest despite the political situation in Barcelona.
Embracing environmental responsibility: no plastic
Rising awareness of single-use plastics’ environmental impacts has led hotel operators to introduce strategies to outlaw their use across their properties. Grace Allen asks Daniella Foster, Hilton’s senior director of corporate responsibility, and Marié Fukudome, Hyatt’s director of environmental affairs and corporate responsibility, about their sustainability strategy and the reduction of plastics.
Staying competitive: the luxury hotel business
EHMA president Hans Koch looks at the challenges of remaining relevant and competitive in a changing hotel landscape.
A different take: Firmdale Hotels
As the founders and leaders of Firmdale Hotels, Kit and Tim Kemp are among the industry’s most influential boutique hoteliers. Phin Foster hears them speak about the importance of maintaining their own spheres of control, taking a personalised approach to hotel development and why it sometimes pays to do things a little differently.
Big issues: London’s Hotel Investment Conference Europe
Delegates recently convened in London for the latest Hotel Investment Conference Europe. Subjects for discussion included new growth opportunities, shifting investor profiles and the need for developers and hoteliers to think more creatively. Inevitably, however, one topic loomed above all others. Hotel Management International reports.
The age of consent: European GDPR
The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance deadline has passed, requiring every hotel in the world to have guidelines in place that protect EU residents’ personally identifiable information against security breaches. Six months down the line, however, reports are coming through of some operators managing the scale of these demands better than others. Robert Holland, chief technology adviser to the British Hospitality Association, and GDPR expert Nick Crawford discuss the challenges with Patrick Kingsland.
It’s all in the mix
Bruno Moinard is one of the most sought-after designers working today. After cutting his teeth under Andrée Putman and Jean-François Bodin, he became celebrated in his own right for his elegant hotel restorations, including Rome’s legendary Hotel Eden. Andrea Valentino talks to Moinard and his partner Claire Bétaille about striking a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, and what guests want from luxury hospitality.
Talent comes from within
Learning and training programmes are the most efficient means of getting the best out of staff and can also be the safest means by which to ensure that they are less likely to leave. Ross Davies sits down with Rezidor’s Iñigo Capell and Matthew Schuyler of Hilton Worldwide to hear about how their respective groups are acquiring, maintaining and developing new talent.
Strength in numbers
While some elements of its federal election raised concerns, the return of Angela Merkel as chancellor reminds the world why Germany has become a byword for reliability and consistency, particularly during a period of political upheaval and crisis for a number of its European brethren. It is certainly a message that international hoteliers and investors are hearing loud and clear, with occupancy and development hitting impressive levels. Bradford Keen speaks with Kay Strobl of Christie & Co, Ulf Templin of PKF hotelexperts, and AccorHotels’ Volkmar Pfaff about the reasons behind the boom, and why they are confident it will continue.