All articles by julian turner
julian turner
Investment Monitor – Future of Tourism survey
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Where the locals go – an alternative to brands
It seems counterintuitive, but at a time when the hotel market has never been more brand-dominated and international, an unprecedented degree of emphasis is being placed upon local knowledge and a sense of place by operators and guests alike. How can international hotels best forge links with their local communities, and how independent and distinctive can head office allow these properties to be? Hotel Management international hears from Hasan Yigit, managing director of Jaz in the City at Deutsche Hospitality; Fredrik Korallus, CEO, Generator Hostels; and Brian McGuinness, global brand leader for Aloft, Element and Four Points at Starwood.
Give boutique a break – analysing a hospitality concept
In an increasingly crowded marketplace where even economy hotels sell themselves as lifestyle brands, does the boutique concept still mean anything? Patrick Kingsland asks Kike Sarasola, Room Mate Hotels founder and president, and Filip Boyen, chairman of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Perfecting preferences – maximising customer data
The hotel sector has long collected huge amounts of customer data from multiple sources. However, the argument has been made that many have underused it, failing to deliver the personalisation of service that guests increasingly demand. How can operators better access and leverage the information they hold? Jonathon Wardman, VP of CRM at Hilton Worldwide; Remy Merckx, VP marketing EMEA at Carlson Rezidor; and Riko van Santen, VP digital strategy and distribution at Kempinski, tell Abi Millar what constitutes a best-in-class strategy.
Lead, don’t follow – Hans Koch on the EHMA 44th Annual General Meeting
EHMA president Hans Koch discusses the key takeaways from the EHMA 44th Annual General Meeting, and how the hotel industry can stay ahead of the curve.
Bigger and better – the evolution of Marriott International
A little over six months since Marriott International completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a strategy for how this new hospitality behemoth will look to build upon its European presence has started to take shape. Phin Foster talks to the group’s president and managing director for Europe, Amy McPherson, about the need to reassure owners, expand into new geographies and leverage unprecedented scale.
Unknown quantities – market forecast for 2017
Whether it was disheartening IMF growth forecasts, the Brexit vote and the plummeting pound or continuing fallout from tragic events in the Middle East, 2016 was quite a year. How do some of the industry’s most influential developers and financiers see 2017 playing out, and what is the outlook for the European hotel investment landscape? Patrick Kingsland speaks to Mark Wynne Smith of Jones Lang LaSalle and Deloitte’s Nikola Reid to find out more.
Steady as she goes – the Middle East and North Africa
After a turbulent year for the hotel market in the Middle East and North Africa, investment remains high. Eleanor Wilson meets Dr Martin Berlin of PwC, Marko Vucinic of Jones Lang LaSalle and Marriott’s Samir Baidas to find out who is leading this growth and which markets to watch.
Be the disruptor – the European Hotel Managers Association AGM
Things got disruptive at this year’s European Hotel Managers Association Annual General Meeting, as assembled hospitality leaders discussed and debated how best to harness, learn from and overcome new players entering their industry. Hotel Management International travelled to the Dutch coast to find out more.
The third way – the future of franchising
Franchising contracts are no longer the preserve of budget hotels. The development of an asset-light hotel development model has led to a rapid growth in franchising across the board and the rise of third-party operators. To what extent can such an approach create a more guest-focused business and what does a successful strategy look like? Abi Millar speaks to leaders from Interstate and Redefine|BDL Hotels to find out.