Technology
Time to reconnect as an industry
Event: International Hotel Technology Forum 2022 Location: Madrid Marriott Auditorium, Spain Date: 27–28 April 2022 Web:
www.arena-international.com/ihtf Report: Preview
he hotel market has benefited from a prolonged economic boom in recent years. With developments in globalisation, digitalisation and urbanisation, however, increasing changes can be felt in the hotel industry. Accordingly, the hotel industry is currently facing numerous challenges regarding customer and work behaviour, sales models and real estate. For example, there is an increasing trend towards people working independently of particular locations (‘footloose service sector industry’) and feeling at home in many places at the same time. Hotels will, therefore, play a new role in the future – they will become people’s homes away from home. This means that the current trend is moving away from classic hotels and traditional hotel formats towards options that are more tailored to the needs of customers, beyond just somewhere to sleep for the night. Guests see hotels as their ‘third place’.
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“The hotel industry is increasingly forced to strike a balance between a place of recreation and a workplace.”
The hotel industry is increasingly forced to strike a balance between a place of recreation and a workplace. In addition, solutions must be developed that align the digital revolution with increasingly diverse human needs. Hotels that do not react adequately and quickly to changes in future trends will ultimately miss the boat.
Why join? ■ First in-person IHTF since 2019 – be a part of the first in person event in over three years and connect with industry peers.
■ Meet and network with leading hotel brands from the Europe region; including Nordic Choice, Melia Hotels and TUI.
■ Case studies including role of AI, customer journey experience, app integration, plus many more.
■ Fear of missing out – this is an ample opportunity to connect with your fellow peers
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and discuss the challenges and learnings from 2021 and the expectations for 2022.
■ Meet and network with leading suppliers and vendors, and develop long-term partnerships with dedicated business meetings.
What are the current challenges/ concerns in the hospitality space? ■ Covid-19: Although the industry has adapted to the pandemic, Covid-19 is still an occurring issue and hoteliers are battling to ensure they are up to code and can accommodate their guest’s needs while looking after staff.
■ Lack of staff: Due to Covid-19, there has been a shortage of staff due to people changing jobs or moving industries. To counteract this, hotels are investing more into technology to ensure the hotel can run at full capacity without having the staff numbers.
■ Supply chain issues: There is expectations that due to demand of travel and rising numbers of guest’s numbers, hotels will struggle with the demand and will but a strain on partners to deliver.
■ Travel: The lack of travel opportunity for tourism has forced hotels to think outside the box. Domestic tourism is key for the Europe region as it helps drive their revenue. To accommodate the missing income, hotels have pushed for staycation offers to help drive the local population.
■ Revenue retention: With the lack of tourists and with staycation offering a short-term solution, many hotel brands have had to cut costs in order to stay afloat. This includes letting staff go, pulling out of projects and even shutting parts of the hotel.
■ Maintain supplier partnerships: With cutting costs and lack of income, hotels have either pushed back on projects or cancelled some with suppliers before they even started. This has caused concerns as the suppliers are left.
Join leading hotels at IHTF 2022 to discuss new trends, opportunities and challenges facing the industry and see the latest innovations and technological developments. ●
Hotel Management International /
www.hmi-online.com
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