All articles by Schattopadhaya
Schattopadhaya
Weekend in Paris
The European Hotel Managers Association’s 46th annual general meeting was held in Paris on 15–17 February. Hotel Management International was in attendance as members elected a new president and discussed the importance of creating, rather than reacting to, changes that could transform their industry.
Puneet Chhatwal: bringing it all back home
Appointed MD and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited in August last year, Puneet Chhatwal has embarked upon an ambitious development strategy that promises to grow the group at an unprecedented rate. He talks to Phin Foster about the significance of returning to India after almost three decades overseas, the evolving nature of the country’s hospitality landscape, and encouraging an unprecedented degree of transparency and openness in his efforts to engender change.
Moscow’s mild World Cup fever
Business people avoiding the city during the tournament, along with the capital’s high room count, will contribute to a smaller growth than for previous host cities, STR reports.
Effective employee training: learn to be better
A hotel is only ever as good as its staff. EHMA president Hans Koch explains how investing in effective employee training programmes keeps properties competitive.
Good service: waiting for recognition
Front of house is often the most overlooked aspect of a restaurant’s success. With the demand for new staff rising, we investigate the challenges the industry faces in looking to entice new talent, and speak to industry professionals about the changing expectations of diners towards their wait staff.
Gear shift: unfavourable supply-demand in Dubai’s hotel industry
Demand is failing to keep pace with supply in the UAE’s growing hotel market. Elly Earls meets Mövenpick’s Marc Descrozaille, Jones Lang Lasalle’s Amr Elnady and Colliers International’s Filippo Sona to find out more about the current state of affairs and where opportunity still lies.
No strings attached: here come the pop-ups
Demand for exciting F&B experiences has seen some hotels move away from traditional restaurants in favour of pop-ups and looser relationships with entrepreneurs. But are these developments anything more than a fad? Andrea Valentino investigates the popup revolution with the help of Peter Ducker, director of the Institute of Hospitality; Rick Enders, general manager at the Budapest Marriott; and consultant Stefan Breg, the former F&B director at Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
Breach of trust: protection of guest data in hotels
With Facebook’s high-profile privacy scandal looming large and Europe’s General Data Protection Regulations imminent, hotel operators are under more pressure than ever when it comes to handling and protecting guest data. Those that fall short will pay the penalty, as Robert Holland, chief technology advisor to the British Hospitality Association, and Travelodge’s interim head of eCRM, Nick Crawford, explain to Ross Davies.
Standard-bearers
Under the auspices of the European Hotel Management Association (EHMA), Palmiro Noschese, Meliá’s managing director for Italy, leads an ambitious project to develop a certification for hotel general managers.
Good to grow: the flourishing Yotel trend
A $250-million investment from new partner Starwood Capital helped make 2017 another big year for Yotel. Having also introduced a new brand to differentiate between its airport and city hotels, the group is all set for a unique period of growth, as CEO Hubert Viriot tells Ross Davies.