Hotels must adapt to the fact that US consumers are increasingly embracing contactless technology, argues Liesl Smith, senior vice president of marketing at FreedomPay.
Experts
Expert’s Voice: Google – your hotel’s worst best friend?
Pedro Colaco, CEO and president of GuestCentric, explains how hotels can improve their return on investment from marketing on Google and other online channels.
Expert’s Voice: How to upsell 101 – too much choice can lead to no choice
Upsell emails crammed full of special offers may be significantly less effective than those that take a more targeted approach, argues Roomdex CEO and founder Jos Schaap.
Expert’s Voice: Need hotel guests? The search starts at home
Ines Barreiros, ecommerce and digital marketing manager at Guestcentric’s Lab division, offers seven tips to help hotels target domestic travellers better during the pandemic.
Expert’s Voice: What luxury hotels need to know about in-room products
Cristiano Galli Zugaro, CEO of hospitality supplies designer and manufacturer Italtrim, offers luxury hotels an insight into the process of sourcing premium in-room products.
Expert’s Voice: Lifestyle – Accor’s asset for the future
Gaurav Bhushan, Accor’s CEO Lifestyle and Ennismore’s co-CEO, shares his thoughts on the lifestyle segment’s growth in recent years and considers what the future might hold.
Expert’s Voice: Front Desk 2.0 – Reimagining the guest experience
Integrating cutting-edge technology into the front-desk experience can deliver tangible benefits for hotels, according to Steve Davis, CEO at Operto Guest Technologies.
Expert’s Voice: Why hotels should embrace digitalisation
Digital technology can help hotel management engage more effectively with frontline teams amid the challenges arising from Covid19, argues Andrada Paraschiv, head of hospitality at Beekeeper.
Expert’s Voice: IHG commits to building a brighter future
Keith Barr, CEO of IHG, has published an open letter setting out the British hotel giant’s promise to operate thoughtfully and grow sustainably.
Expert’s Voice: What luxury hotels need to know about bathroom products
Cristiano Galli Zugaro, CEO of hospitality supplies designer and manufacturer Italtrim, offers luxury hotels an insight into the process of sourcing premium bathroom products.
Expert’s Voice: The night manager – what happens when the lights go down?
The night manager role is often undervalued but it can be the springboard to a successful hotel career, argues Silvia Kirkland Zese, area director of housekeeping at Vail Resorts.
Expert’s Voice: Three metrics for tracking hotel performance in 2021
Revenue managers must stop fixating on individual key performance indicators and instead embrace a more holistic approach during the Covid crisis, according to Saahil Karkera, head of customer success at Oaky.
Expert’s Voice: Hotel design in a new landscape
In light of the pandemic, Tom Bishop, director and head of project management for Concert, explores whether the hotel design and construction sectors will have to permanently change tack.
Expert’s Voice: A new model for safety and automation in F&B management
Linda Pouliot, founder and CEO at Dishcraft Robotics, advises hotels on how to create efficient F&B programmes that meet the rapidly changing needs of guests.
Expert’s Voice: Can extended-stay hotels sustain growth beyond Covid?
Linchi Kwok, associate professor, The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona, examines the rapid rise of extended-stay hotels in the US.
Expert’s Voice: Hilton’s future looks bright despite pandemic
Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, reflects on a challenging 2020 and his optimism for the return of the golden age of travel.
Expert’s Voice: Top ten trends in hospitality 2021
Robert Rauch, president and CEO of RAR Hospitality, explores which trends will have the biggest impact on hotel businesses this year.
Expert’s Voice: Six key learnings from an unprecedented year in hospitality
Almost overnight, the pandemic forced hoteliers to fundamentally rethink their business models, but PrivateDeal’s digital marketing manager Matthieu Mauguin believes there are lots of lessons we can learn from this difficult period.
Expert’s Voice: Are we facing a distressed opportunity for hotel investors?
Marc Sontag, CEO of Aedartis, considers to what extent hotel investors will pick up properties for bargain prices as the market adjusts to the realities of trading during a pandemic.
Design stories: Scandic CPH Strandpark, Copenhagen
For our latest TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive, Niclas Makowsky, lead architect at Koncept, sheds light on Scandic’s newbuild hotel near Copenhagen Airport, currently under construction and due to open in March 2021.
Expert’s Voice: What do Peter Pan and your hotel career have in common?
Learning how to do the numbers properly is a vital part of becoming a successful hotel manager – and growing as a person, argues David Lund, The Hotel Financial Coach.
Design vision: Luca Franco of Luxury Frontiers
For our latest TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive, Luca Franco, founder and CEO of Luxury Frontiers, gives us a fascinating insight into his career.
Expert’s Voice: Technology trends in travel – the face of hospitality tech in 2021
Laura Badiu, marketing manager at TrustYou, talks us through the innovations that could gain popularity in 2021 as consumers adjust to the reality of travelling amid a pandemic.
Expert’s Voice: How to keep direct guests and steer travellers away from OTAs
Hospitality tech consultant and strategist Max Starkov discusses practical steps that hotels can take to avoid becoming overdependent on online travel agents (OTAs).
Expert’s Voice: How online payments encourage more guest spend
Switching to digital payment can boost hotel revenues while reassuring guests worried about Covid19, argues Larry Mogelonsky, principal of Hotel Mogel Consulting.
Expert’s Voice: Creative ways to invite locals to your hotel
Jen Cialfi, account manager at Vizergy Digital Marketing, considers how hotels can encourage locals to come in and try their facilities while occupancy rates remain low.
Expert’s Voice: Three ways connected hotel technology can support staff as occupancy recovers
Robert Kempton and Neha Jaiptal from Schneider Electric explain how turning hotels into digitised, connected workplaces can attract new talent and keep employees happy and safe.
Expert’s Voice: Co-founder of GuestJoy, Annika Ülem, on the future of hospitality
Hotels need to rethink their approach and embrace digital technology in order to survive and thrive in the post-Covid era, according to Annika Ülem, co-founder of hospitality startup GuestJoy.
Expert’s Voice: Innovative ideas for keeping guests safe during the pandemic
David Berger, founder and CEO of Volara, explores how innovative hotels are successfully adapting their offering to appeal to guests concerned about staying safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Expert’s Voice: Why does it take so bloody long to do the annual hotel budget?
David Lund, The Hotel Financial Coach, considers why managers need to spend so much time finalising their budgets and securing sign-off from all relevant parties.
Expert’s Voice: Ten ways to boost guest confidence and increase loyalty amid Covid19
Integrating new standards, rethinking the guest experience and embracing digital tools will help hotels convince travellers that they are safe to visit despite the pandemic, according to Melody Went, product marketing manager at Amadeus.
Expert’s Voice: The five stages of (hotel industry) grief
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance – Gert Noordzy, chief operating officer at The Experience Resorts, discusses the reality of selling hotels in the post-Covid world.
Expert’s Voice: Handling online hotel reviews in Covid19
Susan Barry, president and queen bee of Hive Marketing and consultant with Cayuga Hospitality Consultants, offers some practical tips for hotels whose reputation has been unfairly tarnished by negative reviews amid the pandemic.
Expert’s Voice: What hotels will look like in a post-Covid world
Hoteliers need to start thinking now about what travellers will want when the coronavirus crisis abates and reshape their operations accordingly, argues David Eisen, director of hotel intelligence and customer solutions for HotStats.
Expert’s Voice: Hotel development – Are better feasibility studies actually feasible?
Feasibility studies are widely used by development teams looking to get the green light for new hotel projects but many are fundamentally flawed.
Expert’s Voice: Netflix – what can hoteliers possibly learn from the megabrand’s success?
Fiona Gillen, VP Marketing at The Hotels Network, explains how the extraordinary growth of Netflix offers invaluable clues for hoteliers looking to improve the performance of their websites.
Expert’s Voice: The future of hotel F&B post-Covid19
Jean-Michel Dixte, global vice president – food & beverage for Dusit International, reflects on how hotel F&B needs to adapt to the realities of doing business amid a pandemic.
Expert’s Voice: Optimise your hotel website’s key pages to boost engagement and direct bookings
Technical hospitality writer Juliana Hahn offers a range of practical tips showing how hotels can improve the quality of the copy on their websites – and why it matters.
Expert’s Voice: To compete in a post-Covid world, hoteliers must embrace mobile
Hotels must adapt their services to reflect how guests are increasingly turning to mobile devices for travel information in the post-Covid era, argues Larry Mogelonsky, principal of Hotel Mogel Consulting.
Expert’s Voice: The old normal was constant change, just like the new one
Wimintra J Raj, founder and editor in chief of Hotel Intel.co, believes hoteliers should keep in mind that guests still want to dine out, travel and make the most of their lives in spite of coronavirus.
Expert’s Voice: Hotels are adopting the serviced apartment business model in order to survive
Hotels must embrace the innovative concepts popularised by serviced apartments to ensure they meet the changing needs of guests during the pandemic, says George Sell, editor-in-chief at International Hospitality Media.
Expert’s Voice: How to provide personalised guest experiences without personal interactions
Some hotels may be tempted to abandon personalised guest experiences during the pandemic, but hospitality trainer and consultant Raimonda Grigaite-Kjeldsen believes there are still lots of ways to make visitors feel special.
Expert’s Voice: How we designed Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti
Studio Apostoli developed the entire interior design scheme for the new 5-star ski resort in Pinzolo, northern Italy – here, architect and spa designer Alberto Apostoli shares his vision for the spectacular project.
Hoteliers are fundamentally resilient and inventive: Melvin Gold
Be it the coronavirus or other challenges posed by Brexit, the hotel fraternity is a creative lot who will always find solutions, says veteran hotel industry consultant Melvin Gold.
Expert’s Voice: Improving the sustainability of hotels post-Covid19
Korosh Farazad, CEO at Farazad Investment Ltd, explores how hotels can set themselves on a more sustainable footing and bounce back quickly when Covid19 is under control.
Expert’s Voice: How to maintain consumer relationships during Covid19
Korosh Farazad, CEO at Farazad Investment Ltd, explains how hotels can take practical steps to improve customer relationships despite the impact of coronavirus on travel.
Plenty of capital still wants to be in UK hotel markets: Simon Mallinson
Provided sensible heads prevail in negotiations, the hotel industry and UK PLC at large can benefit from Brexit, says Simon Mallinson, Executive Managing Director at Real Capital Analytics.
Expert’s Voice: Hotels must embrace new technology
Jordan Hollander, CEO at Hotel Tech Report, explains why hotels should adopt new technology to help them re-emerge stronger after Covid19.
Hotel investments better than almost any other real-estate class: James Chappell
While the details of Brexit and its impact on the hospitality industry is as yet unclear, the hotel investment community still has a lot of optimism in the UK market, says James Chappell, Global Business Director of Horwath HTL.
![Expert’s Voice: Bill Marriott looks back on 93 years of Marriott International [Construction Report]](https://mlbufqxx4mlc.i.optimole.com/NUlbwlo.9dVs~44fea/w:1080/h:675/q:eco/https://tophotel.news/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/0.jpg)
Expert’s Voice: Bill Marriott looks back on 93 years of Marriott International [Construction Report]
On the group’s 93th birthday, Bill Marriott shares memories of how his grandparents were affected by the Spanish flu in 1918 and why it matters in the Covid era.
Expert’s Voice: Upselling – pushy hotel sales technique or invaluable skill?
Upselling may not always have the best reputation in the hotel industry, but when done correctly it can boost revenues and help guests get more out of their stay, writes hospitality specialist Juliana Hahn.
Expert’s Voice: Why AAA Four and Five Diamond ratings can make or break a hotel
Federico Moreno-Nickerson, vice president of development at Apple Leisure Group, explains why AAA Four and Five Diamond ratings are so influential – and shares tips for hotels looking to dazzle the inspectors.
Yotel a cool hotel brand for millennials and the “yo generation”: Mihit Patel
Yotel is a tech-focused brand, which helps the small hotel group be at the forefront of adaptability, says Mihit Patel, former Senior Analyst, Business Development (EMEA) at Yotel.
Expert’s Voice: It’s time to get creative with remote working
The COVID-19 crisis has put remote working in the spotlight – and that’s no bad thing, writes Shelley Reiner, founder and leader of global hospitality design collective Suited Interior Design.
Experts
Expert’s Voice: How contactless technology is transforming the hospitality industry forever
Hotels must adapt to the fact that US consumers are increasingly embracing contactless technology, argues Liesl Smith, senior vice president of marketing at FreedomPay.
Expert’s Voice: Google – your hotel’s worst best friend?
Pedro Colaco, CEO and president of GuestCentric, explains how hotels can improve their return on investment from marketing on Google and other online channels.
Expert’s Voice: How to upsell 101 – too much choice can lead to no choice
Upsell emails crammed full of special offers may be significantly less effective than those that take a more targeted approach, argues Roomdex CEO and founder Jos Schaap.
Expert’s Voice: Need hotel guests? The search starts at home
Ines Barreiros, ecommerce and digital marketing manager at Guestcentric’s Lab division, offers seven tips to help hotels target domestic travellers better during the pandemic.
Expert’s Voice: Lifestyle – Accor’s asset for the future
Gaurav Bhushan, Accor’s CEO Lifestyle and Ennismore’s co-CEO, shares his thoughts on the lifestyle segment’s growth in recent years and considers what the future might hold.
Expert’s Voice: Front Desk 2.0 – Reimagining the guest experience
Integrating cutting-edge technology into the front-desk experience can deliver tangible benefits for hotels, according to Steve Davis, CEO at Operto Guest Technologies.
Expert’s Voice: Why hotels should embrace digitalisation
Digital technology can help hotel management engage more effectively with frontline teams amid the challenges arising from Covid19, argues Andrada Paraschiv, head of hospitality at Beekeeper.
Expert’s Voice: IHG commits to building a brighter future
Keith Barr, CEO of IHG, has published an open letter setting out the British hotel giant’s promise to operate thoughtfully and grow sustainably.
Expert’s Voice: What luxury hotels need to know about bathroom products
Cristiano Galli Zugaro, CEO of hospitality supplies designer and manufacturer Italtrim, offers luxury hotels an insight into the process of sourcing premium bathroom products.
Expert’s Voice: The night manager – what happens when the lights go down?
The night manager role is often undervalued but it can be the springboard to a successful hotel career, argues Silvia Kirkland Zese, area director of housekeeping at Vail Resorts.
Expert’s Voice: Three metrics for tracking hotel performance in 2021
Revenue managers must stop fixating on individual key performance indicators and instead embrace a more holistic approach during the Covid crisis, according to Saahil Karkera, head of customer success at Oaky.
Expert’s Voice: Hotel design in a new landscape
In light of the pandemic, Tom Bishop, director and head of project management for Concert, explores whether the hotel design and construction sectors will have to permanently change tack.
Expert’s Voice: A new model for safety and automation in F&B management
Linda Pouliot, founder and CEO at Dishcraft Robotics, advises hotels on how to create efficient F&B programmes that meet the rapidly changing needs of guests.
Expert’s Voice: Can extended-stay hotels sustain growth beyond Covid?
Linchi Kwok, associate professor, The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona, examines the rapid rise of extended-stay hotels in the US.
Expert’s Voice: Hilton’s future looks bright despite pandemic
Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, reflects on a challenging 2020 and his optimism for the return of the golden age of travel.
Expert’s Voice: Top ten trends in hospitality 2021
Robert Rauch, president and CEO of RAR Hospitality, explores which trends will have the biggest impact on hotel businesses this year.
Expert’s Voice: Six key learnings from an unprecedented year in hospitality
Almost overnight, the pandemic forced hoteliers to fundamentally rethink their business models, but PrivateDeal’s digital marketing manager Matthieu Mauguin believes there are lots of lessons we can learn from this difficult period.
Expert’s Voice: Are we facing a distressed opportunity for hotel investors?
Marc Sontag, CEO of Aedartis, considers to what extent hotel investors will pick up properties for bargain prices as the market adjusts to the realities of trading during a pandemic.
Design stories: Scandic CPH Strandpark, Copenhagen
For our latest TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive, Niclas Makowsky, lead architect at Koncept, sheds light on Scandic’s newbuild hotel near Copenhagen Airport, currently under construction and due to open in March 2021.
Expert’s Voice: What do Peter Pan and your hotel career have in common?
Learning how to do the numbers properly is a vital part of becoming a successful hotel manager – and growing as a person, argues David Lund, The Hotel Financial Coach.
Design vision: Luca Franco of Luxury Frontiers
For our latest TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive, Luca Franco, founder and CEO of Luxury Frontiers, gives us a fascinating insight into his career.
Expert’s Voice: Technology trends in travel – the face of hospitality tech in 2021
Laura Badiu, marketing manager at TrustYou, talks us through the innovations that could gain popularity in 2021 as consumers adjust to the reality of travelling amid a pandemic.
Expert’s Voice: How to keep direct guests and steer travellers away from OTAs
Hospitality tech consultant and strategist Max Starkov discusses practical steps that hotels can take to avoid becoming overdependent on online travel agents (OTAs).
Expert’s Voice: How online payments encourage more guest spend
Switching to digital payment can boost hotel revenues while reassuring guests worried about Covid19, argues Larry Mogelonsky, principal of Hotel Mogel Consulting.
