All articles by julian turner
julian turner
A question of loyalty – the relationship between guests and brands
With operators reimagining their loyalty programmes, will there be greater affinity between guests and brands? Ross Davies speaks to John Muehlbauer, InterContinental Hotels Group’s head of strategy and planning, customer loyalty marketing, about IHG Rewards Club, the industry-wide improvements being made in offering more personalised benefits, the influence of technology and the best metrics by which to gauge success.
Branding together – the luxury hotel arena
An increasing number of luxury names from beyond the hotel sector are tapping into large, affluent existing customer bases, and painting their dynamics and aesthetics across entirely new canvases. Hotel Management International hears from leaders from a number of key players, including Nobu, Armani and Versace.
Keen to be green – the Green Hotel of the Year
Many hotels are striving to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their sustainability, but who’s got the best eco-friendly credentials? Oliver Hotham takes a look at the seven nominees for Green Hotel of the Year, sponsored by SaveMoneyCutCarbon, at this year’s European Hospitality Awards.
The taste maker – Daniel Boulud
University of Manchester spin-out Nanoco Technologies is developing new fluorescent biomarkers in a bid to improve detection and treatment of certain deadly cancer types.
The future’s green – sustainability in the hotel sector
The hotel sector has already pioneered great achievements in sustainability, and hoteliers are always quick to look at what more can be done. The European Hotel Managers Association’s 41st annual meeting, held in Monaco, saw leading figures from some of Europe’s most prestigious hotels discussing how heightened sustainable practices can improve, not hinder, the guest experience.
Healthcare and beauty – the hotel medical spa
Is it right for luxury properties to offer full-body check-ups and cosmetic surgery? Will places that only provide pampering get left behind? Wellness pioneer Dr Paulo Malo, ESPA International’s Susan Harmsworth, and Michael Wallace, spa director at Danubius Hotels, share their contrasting views on the rise of the hotel medical spa with Natalie Healey.
New recruits – investment in human capital
In an intensely globalised sector and with competition as rife as ever, competent and enthusiastic employees are at a premium and hotel chains are under increasing pressure not only to find the best, but also to keep them. Chris Godfrey speaks with leading figures from Starwood, Jumeirah and the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne to investigate how hotels are developing their human resource operations in the face of rapid expansion and shifting demographics.
The opulent middle – reinventing the mid-market
With the so-called millennial generation set to dominate business travel in the next few years, hotel chains are eagerly moulding to their requirements. The demands of this new model of traveller are more electronic than extravagant and value is key but, as Tom Vaughan discovers as he speaks to Michael Levie of CitizenM, Carlson Rezidor’s Elie Younes and Qbic Hotels’ Paul Rinkens, reinventing the mid-market and economy segment means redistributing luxury, not eliminating it.
Asian fusion – the rebirth of 19 Avenue Kléber
A grand restoration project will reach its finale this August as 19 Avenue Kléber opens its doors to guests again for the first time since 1936. Operated by Hong Kong-based Peninsula Hotels, the design offers an intriguing cocktail of La Belle Époque and 21st-century East Asia. Richard Martinet, lead architect, talks Jack Wittels through the four-year process.
Reopening the doors – the lender-investor equilibrium
Hit by moribund levels of liquidity and low confidence among lenders, access to debt financing plummeted during the financial crisis. Stronger market conditions more recently, however, have seen the fortunes of investor profiles within the European hotel space start to improve. Ross Davies meets Barclays’ Tim Helliwell, Dominic Murray of CBRE and Christie + Co’s Andreas Scriven to find out what’s driving the turnaround.