All articles by Surendra Prasad Peravali
Surendra Prasad Peravali
Developing, maintaining and retaining talent within the hotel industry
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.
Boom time for hotel investment in Germany
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.
City stays for the self-starter
Having lagged behind the US for many years, Europe’s extended-stay space is finally starting to gather momentum. Ross Davies meets Eric Jafari, managing director of SACO; Zoku founder Hans Meyer; and Ascott’s chief operating officer, Kevin Goh, to fi nd out what’s accounting for this growth and how they are looking to get a piece of the action.
Focus on details
Cameras are not only an effective means of combating crime they can also help hotel staff deliver optimal service. ABUS Security-Center’s flexible surveillance options can make your premises safer and more efficient, and your guests feel more secure.
A hotel for the ages
Having closed for a €200-million renovation more than four years ago, Paris’s legendary Hôtel de Crillon, under Rosewood’s management, is once again open for business. The project’s artistic director and founder of Culture in Architecture, Aline d’Amman, and Affine Design’s Richard Martinet speak to Bradford Keen about the delicate act of preserving history while introducing the 21st-century elements expected in a luxury property.
The heart of hospitality
Despite much talk of select-service concepts and adventurous global nomads, the destination hotel restaurant might just be enjoying a renaissance, with hoteliers introducing carefully considered concepts and celebrity chef collaborations. Tina Nielsen investigates.
Stay safe
Security is the ultimate example of a function that only becomes truly conspicuous when it fails. But it is an integral part of the hospitality experience, impacting on every element of a hotel’s operations. Patrick Kingsland speaks to Craig Cunningham from Jumeirah Group and Felix Hartmann from Media One about the challenges of creating a robust safety culture, the perils of outsourcing and the benefits of empowering one’s workforce.
Make it personal
Points alone don’t cut it for today’s loyalty programme members; not only do they expect flexibility in redemption but also an increasingly personal relationship with their hotel group of choice. Elly Earls finds out how the industry’s leading players are upping their game to ensure that returning customers are suitably rewarded.
Secure through the ranks
In recent years, the hotel sector has had to significantly raise its security game in the face of numerous cyberattacks and data breaches. Malcolm Marshall, KPMG’s global leader, information protection and business resilience, explains why cybersecurity is not just a reactive technical fix but a solution that can drive change and secure a business’s future.
Smarter, happier
Television was the centrepiece of in-room entertainment for many years. Now, operators are increasingly opting to install streaming and voice-recognition services to reflect customers’ daily lives. Patrick Kingsland explores how to offer a seamless tech experience.