All articles by julian turner
julian turner
Come dine with us – the Hotel Management International breakfast briefing.
The hospitality sector is increasingly focused on turning in-house restaurants into lucrative revenue centres, but with so much high street competition, persuading guests to eat in is a difficult task. Andrew Bennett, food and beverage director at The Park Lane Hotel, leads a discussion on innovative approaches to this common problem at the latest Hotel Management International breakfast briefing.
On the double – Marriott’s European vision
In March 2010, Marriott International announced plans to double its European presence by the end of 2015. With just 18 months left to go, Amy McPherson, Marriott’s managing director and president for Europe, talks to Phin Foster about new brands, building partnerships and breaking rules.
The Insider – Andrew Batchelor
Andrew Batchelor was promoted to general manager at The Landmark London this January, his new role marking the latest milestone in a career spanning almost 40 years in top-end hospitality. Tireless in his pursuit of improving the experiences of his guests, he regards his occupation as more of a vocation than a job.
Social scene – connecting with ‘millennial’ travellers
Hotels have long recognised the advantages of using the latest technology throughout their operations to provide high-class service to guests. Now though, the need to attract and retain the much heralded ‘millennial’ traveller makes a comprehensive digital and social strategy essential, from check-in to inside the hotel suite and long after the guest departs. Here, we take a look at how connecting with guests has developed beyond merely excellent hospitality.
The guest connection – how technology informs hospitality
Despite much speculation on the transformative potential of new technologies, operators are increasingly going back to basics, harnessing the technological capabilities of their guests, rather than seeking to change the hotel experience. Monika Nerger, CIO of Mandarin Oriental; Ingvar Herland, general research manager of Peninsula Hotels; and Vineet Gupta, senior VP, technology, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, discuss why connectivity and accessibility are a top priority.
Accor to purchase 97 European hotels for €900 million
Accor, Europe’s largest hotel group, has agreed to purchase two real-estate portfolios comprising a total of 97 hotels (12,838 rooms) for around €900 million.
Upon closer inspection – the importance of auditing
As owner and operator portfolios become ever more geographically disparate, ensuring consistent standards across properties can be a real challenge. Steve Tate, chairman of Cristal International Standards, outlines the value of a robust auditing system in delivering the best possible health and safety standards, and explains why the benefits of getting it right can be felt well beyond the hotels themselves.
Taste the difference – the Middle East food and beverage industry
The Middle East’s food and beverage sector is generating fat profits for operators and attracting talent from all around the world. Hotel Management International looks at what lies behind the region’s success, and where it will go from here.
Seeing stars – Andy Hayler
Andy Hayler eats out three to six times a week, writing about his experiences on the popular andyhayler.com, and has a strong claim to being the world’s pre-eminent fine dining aficionado. Having first achieved the feat in 2004, by June of this year, he will have eaten in every three-Michelin-starred restaurant on the planet.
Healthy competition – rebranding around wellness
Forgoing excess for salubriousness, a considerable share of today’s hotel guests are more likely to hit the spa rather than the bar upon check-in. Ross Davies reports on the growing trend of healthy hospitality, and how several operators are in the process of rebranding around wellness as a means to drive profitability.