Opinion Articles

Opinion Article Food & Beverage

June 17, 2020

Thoughts on How the Pandemic Must Affect Greek Tourism

In one of our previous articles, we analysed the impact of COVID-19 on hotel occupancy in Athens and Thessaloniki whereas our latest one was an attempt to interpret the different perspectives of Greek hospitality industry experts through targeted interviews that offered further insight on the aspects affecting hotel operations in the short-term. In the process of writing both of these articles two main 'ankyloses' of the local hospitality market came up in a way that was not clearly apparent but, following some additional thoughts, they could explain to a large extent the vulnerability of Greek hotels whose business models were stripped naked due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Pavlos Papadimitriou and Gelina Kordoni

Greece

June 5, 2020

Restaurants Reopening: An Overview From Lausanne, Switzerland

On Monday 11th May, restaurants and bars were among the few public establishments in Switzerland allowed to reopen. The move was preceded by lengthy Federal Counsel regulations made available to all restaurateurs setting out the now rather familiar guidelines: 2m distances between tables, maximum 4 people at a table, strict hygiene measures, service staff in masks and required contact details of each customer.

By Reza Etemad-Sajadi and Beatrice Venturini

Lausanne, Switzerland

Opinion Article Operations & Strategy

June 3, 2020

Tomorrow’s World - What’s Going To Change For Irish Hotels And Guests

"We won't be opening car doors for guests anytime soon" says Clement Gaffney, Group Hotels Operations Manager of Pat Doherty's Harcourt Developments, Hotel Division with properties in Ireland, The U.K. and Caribbean. It is an evocative image that none of us would have considered a few short months ago. It is the new norm.In 2008, Irish hotels were plunged into a deep global recession and the last 10 years have been a long slow recovery into a buoyant economy. In March this year, that ended with shocking speed. Déjà vu seemed unfair.

By Conor Kenny, Teacher, Trainer, Writer, Founder of conorkenny.com, Conor Kenny

Ireland

Opinion Article General Management

May 29, 2020

COVID-19 Recovery in the UK – The Importance of Domestic Demand

Like much of the world, the UK has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with more than 37,000 deaths and 265,000 confirmed cases as of 27 May and the highest number of attributed deaths in Europe (although fewer deaths per capita than Spain, Italy and Belgium). The pandemic has hit all areas of the economy, but the hospitality industry has undoubtedly been and will continue to be one of the worst affected. Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the lockdown phase, and the focus of hoteliers is shifting from how to manage the closure to developing a sound reopening strategy.

By Stephen Collins, Associate Director with HVS’s London office, HVS

London, United Kingdom

May 26, 2020

Lifting The Lockdown: What’s Next For Hospitality?

As the UK looks to emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown, business leaders have been calling upon the Government to set out its plan for how we might return to some sense of normality. Unsurprisingly, the hospitality industry has been amongst the most vocal, given numerous concerns over the practicalities of reopening venues under social distancing guidelines.

By Gareth Ogden, Partner, haysmacintyre

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May 25, 2020

Impact of COVID-19 on Greek Tourism: Industry Experts' Opinion

The Greek hotel industry is bruising, as it has been forced to a grinding halt. However, even on a dauntless note during such times, the hospitality industry is characterized by its resilience to perform and navigate itself through enhanced novel strategies. Finding itself in an advantageous position compared to other European destinations, Greece has gained positive momentum considering the proactiveness it showed in keeping the virus spread under control.

By Themis Trakas and Gelina Kordoni

Greece

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May 14, 2020

HVS: Paris Profile – Exploring How the City Will Recover from the COVID-19 Lockdown

The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have severely hit the hospitality industry worldwide. In Paris, a small proportion of all hotels currently remain in operation, and the occupancy levels for these opened hotels is currently in single digits.

By Sophie Perret and Maria Coll

Paris, France

May 5, 2020

Coronavirus (and other problems): 2020, a dark year for global tourism

The coronavirus health crisis, tracked statistically in real time by Johns Hopkins University, is hitting the global economy hard and the tourism industry most of all. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is expecting a drop in tourism revenue of 300 to 500 billion dollars in 2020, up to one-third of the 1,500 billion generated in 2019. France could lose out on up to 40 billion euros per quarter. Millions of jobs in the sector are under threat worldwide. Anne Gombault and her co-authors Claire Grellier Fouillet and Jérémy Lemarié analyse the drastic consequences of the crisis for global tourism, the strategic issues that it emphasises and the opportunity for transformation and learning that it offers.

By Anne Gombault, Professor of management, KEDGE Business School

France

May 4, 2020

HVS: Impact of COVID-19 in Italy

After the initial actions taken during February 2020 to contain the expansion of COVID-19, which provided limitations and restrictions only to certain activities and areas of the country (closing direct flights with China, prohibition of big gatherings and sport events, creation of red zones at Province and Regional level in North Italy), the Italian Government issued a Law Decree on 11 March providing for a shutdown of many activities and several limitations to other activities across the entire Italian territory.

By Ezio Poinelli and Themis Trakas

Italy

April 24, 2020

Is the German Hotel Market Poised to Be One of the Fastest in Europe to Recover from COVID-19?

The 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have reached Germany on 27 January 2020, when the first COVID-19 case brought in by a Chinese visitor at Webasto was confirmed and contained near Munich, Bavaria. The majority of cases in January and early February originated from the headquarters of a car parts manufacturer there. On 25 and 26 February, multiple cases related to the Italian outbreak were detected in Baden-Württemberg.

By Arlett Hoff, Director at HVS London, HVS

Germany

Athens & Thessaloniki, Greece

April 24, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on Hotel Occupancy Levels in Athens and Thessaloniki

Imagine for a minute you are a hotel investor seeking after promising opportunities into developing destinations that you consider they have untapped potential. Looking back at the period 2012-19, Greek tourism was breaking one record after another. Following a nadir of 21 million that was caused to a great extent by the rumors about Greece's potential economic default and the consequent negative publicity accompanied by political instability back in 2012, foreign tourist arrivals have been constantly growing since then at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 8.4% to reach 37 million in 2019.

By Nana Boussia and Pavlos Papadimitriou

April 7, 2020

Recovery from COVID-19 in Spain

Half of all global tourism arrivals historically come to Europe; and, within Europe, Spain enjoys a disproportionate share of this visitation, with more than 80 million visiting the country yearly. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic ravages Europe and takes a particularly heavy toll in Spain, it is important to evaluate how the reliance of this country on international visitation might shape the recovery of its two main urban markets once the pandemic subsides.

By Sophie Perret, Managing Director, HVS London office, HVS

Spain

Opinion Article Finance

March 30, 2020

Covid-19: How The Hospitality Industry Can Find A Way Through

The hospitality industry has been one of the sectors most badly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Across the UK, all pubs, bars and restaurants have had to close their doors and shut up shop, in order to abide by the unprecedented measures ordered by the Government.

By Gareth Ogden, Partner, haysmacintyre

Opinion Article Sales & Marketing

March 26, 2020

In Search of Hotel Excellence: Hayfield Manor

The five-star Hayfield Manor in the city of Cork is the epitome of the classic Irish, mansion-style hotel - friendly staff, comfortable surroundings and an incredible sense of hospitality. Located within a walled garden on the edge of University College Cork, the property's 88 rooms offer guests a quiet respite from the narrow-clogged roads of the nation's second largest city. In its ornate tearoom, I had an opportunity to sit down with T.J. Mulcahy, Hayfield Manor's General Manager, to discuss what makes the property so special.

By Larry Mogelonsky, Partner, Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited

Cork, Ireland

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March 24, 2020

A bewildering day - here is what I have learnt..

Today has been another bewildering day for hoteliers. Thanks to Friday's Government announcement, we are clear on what to do with pubs, restaurants, spas and gyms, but less clear on bedroom accommodation. I continue to work alongside UK Hospitality which has strongly discouraged taking any future reservations for leisure purposes in the coming months.

By Jane Pendlebury, CEO, HOSPA

March 20, 2020

HOSPA's UK Coronavirus Update 20th March

Our Government has asked us to stand by our staff, and whilst I completely agree with the sentiment behind the statement I also completely understand why the hospitality industry has struggled to do exactly that.

By Jane Pendlebury, CEO, HOSPA