Opinion Articles

July 9, 2015

Serviced Apartments in Europe – At the Crossroads Between Niche and Mainstream

During the last 12 months, the serviced apartment sector in Europe gained further momentum with major activity in development, branding and transactions putting the extended-stay market more firmly on the real estate map. There seems to be a better understanding about the differences in the main underlying business models – aparthotels and corporate housing – which illustrates that the industry is moving ahead. One might think that last year's charter signed by all major operators in the sector has helped to foster more transparency in that respect. However, there are numerous operating properties that show elements of both models and hence do not neatly fall into one the categories and do not make it easy for investors or lenders to fully understand the sector.

By Arlett Oehmichen, Director with HVS’s London office, HVS

July 7, 2015

Greece, Google, & Good Content

Over the weekend I decided to plan a big, belated birthday trip, and the world really is my oyster. I have no one else to compromise with on destination or accommodations. My inspiration was a Travel & Leisure article about inexpensive flights, including flights from NY to Milan. This, of course, led to a lot of flitting around the internet researching the many different destinations I might enjoy, and now here I am researching a trip to Skiathos, Greece and weighing all the pro's and con's of the political situation alongside getting to check the Greek Isles off my travel bucket list.

TrustYou

Greece

June 8, 2015

HVS In Focus: The Mixed-Use Concept – A Trend Shaping in Greek Tourism Developments

This article provides an overview of the luxury tourism mixed-use developments and vacation homes market in Greece. We provide information regarding pricing and the background of the market, as well as a brief overview of legislation relevant to this market in Greece. The prices mentioned in this article cover a selection of properties based on certain characteristics that we deem important for a property to belong in the luxury segment. All information mentioned in the article is indicative and should not be used in the stead of actual market research by an interested party.

By Panagiotis Verykios and Pavlos Papadimitriou

Greece

June 4, 2015

They dreamed it, digital did it

The hotel universe has definitively entered the digital era. This observation is true at all team and management levels, although it has only recently become a widespread view.

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

May 26, 2015

HVS In Focus: Amsterdam Hotel Market Update

The article presents an update on the hotel market in Amsterdam, discussing trends in tourism, hotel/hostel performance, and new supply along with investment characteristics and future challenges. Hotel developments in Amsterdam can be categorised into two distinct areas: the historic city centre and the areas outside the city centre. The former is tightly controlled in terms of hotel development and the government has only granted planning consent for five new hotel developments in the past eight years (Andaz, Art'otel, Waldorf Astoria, W, Hyatt Regency). We understand that except for 'new and unique' hotel concepts such as the Palace of Justice (luxury), which adds major value to the hotel offer, no new city centre schemes will obtain permission in the medium term.

By Nicole Perreten and Constance Biria

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

May 7, 2015

A new hand is being dealt in the hotel industry

Is the order of the hotel world undergoing major changes? It is enough to look at how the world hotel ranking has changed to be convinced. At the head of the ranking, where volume counts and thus where the economy and midscale hotel industry feed portfolios thanks to the franchisees, the domination of Anglo-Saxon groups is being contested by the new Chinese players that can rely on an immense territory that is still under supplied and has considerable financial means. TYPO3SEARCH_begin

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

The next-gen metrics that move hotel P&L

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April 13, 2015

HVS In Focus: Thermal Hotels & Spas in Italy

This article provides an overview of Italy's Hotel Thermal Baths/Spa industry and analyses recent trends in the sector.

By Ezio Poinelli, Senior Director of HVS Southern Europe, head of HVS office in Milan and supervising HVS activities in Italy and Spain, HVS

Italy

March 27, 2015

Putting the Cart Before the Horse…

France's tourism supply isn't making headway. Just a slight understatement... The small bound observed in the growth of the hotel supply last year came after five consecutive years of contraction. Here's hoping we've hit bottom, but there's no guarantee a kick will bring us back up for air very soon.

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

Opinion Article Human Resources

March 18, 2015

Interviewing the GM of Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, Stefan W. Bollhalder

Stefan Bollhalder started his career in culinary arts; he was an Executive Chef for six years. In 1991, he made a career switch to become an F&B Director and eventually, this led him to become a successful GM. Having been the GM of 10 luxury hotels in various geographic locations, he is a highly experienced General Manager by any standard. His culinary art and F&B background gave him the self-discipline and the mentality for attention to details. In addition, one has the feeling that he is hard working and very focused...

By Dr. Lily Lin, Author of "Interviewing Successful Hotel Managers", Lin & Pavelson B.V.

Opinion Article Human Resources

March 2, 2015

Technology and today’s hotel guest

Whilst there has been a continued investment into increasing the hotel guest experience, the UK hotel industry's general lack of investment in technology and gaining insights from business' data – as well as in its online marketing to potential and existing guests – could become one of the most significant stumbling blocks to the sector capitalising on the current upturn in the UK economy.

By Kevin Edwards, Managing Director, Avenue9

London, United Kingdom

February 25, 2015

Hospitality Reaching Luxury Retail and Finance Industries

According to Deloitte's 2014 luxury goods report, the world's top 75 luxury brands accounted for US$171.8 billion of aggregate net sales in 2012 and a compound annual growth rate of 14.3 percent (2010–2012). This strong performance is partly owed to enhanced customer service: buying a luxury bag, for instance, is now considered an experience and who better to accommodate customers and their expectations than trained hospitality graduates?

By Judy Hou, Managing Director of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Glion

Switzerland

February 24, 2015

2014 European Hotel Transactions

European hotel transaction volume totaled €14.4 billion in 2014, an increase of 86% on 2013. This figure represents a new record since the onset of the global financial crisis and marks a continuation of the market recovery seen in 2013. Not only was 2014 the highest year since the €20.3 billion recorded in 2006, it was also the fourth highest year on record. Transactions were evenly spread over the year, with slightly higher volumes in the second quarter, owing to the sales of the Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysées (€345 million, €1.8 million per room) and Le Méridien Etoile (€280 million, €237,000 per room), and in the fourth quarter, the sale of Louvre Hotels Group (€1.2 billion);

By Adrian Ruch and Jill Barthel

February 13, 2015

When Secularism pervades us

A month after the dramatic events in France and the emotional reaction of millions of citizens rising up against the Barbaric act and for the freedom of thought, the time has come for more reasoned thinking… that is if it cannot be thoroughly reasonable… TYPO3SEARCH_begin

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

February 11, 2015

HVS In Focus: Spain - The Tourism Sector is Heading the Recovery

This market snapshot provides an overview of the recent performance of the lodging industry in Spain in terms of demand and supply and analyzes past and future tourism trends. In writing these articles we utilise the expertise of HVS for each market combining our in‐house data and research together with published information and interviews with opinion leaders regarding each of the examined destinations.

By Ezio Poinelli, Senior Director of HVS Southern Europe, head of HVS office in Milan and supervising HVS activities in Italy and Spain, HVS

Spain

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February 10, 2015

The hotel industry must begin its inner journey

Today's fascination for artificial intelligence leads many to imagine a future where computers would make a major contribution to all the operations in all sectors of day-to-day life. After CAD and CAP, has the time has come for CAH - Computer Aided Hospitality? The development of Revenue management has encouraged modeling behavior, the creation of nearly magical algorithms to optimize revenues. Customer relations, meanwhile, has been entered into the equation of very sophisticated CRM software that is able to send reminders for birthdays, preferences for comforters and colors of bouquet, capable of tailoring offers to fit loyal clients who have been studied from every angle. TYPO3SEARCH_begin

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

January 15, 2015

Is luxury always timeless?

At a time when we are seriously questioning the real values that lie behind behavior, the hotel industry is returning the experience to its place of honor as it justifies the customer's choice of this or that particular category. This idea of the experience, which is increasingly indispensable regardless of the level of the offer, becomes absolutely necessary when we enter the luxury segment. TYPO3SEARCH_begin

By Georges Panayotis, President & Founder of MKG Group & Hospitality ON, Hospitality ON

January 14, 2015

FRANCE - a 2014 snapshot, and business scenarios for 2015 and beyond

Every year, the hotel experts and analysts at Horwath HTL worldwide produce a series of mini-country reports exclusively for The Hotel Yearbook. Each report focuses on just two things: first, a quick snapshot of the country’s current economic and hotel market situation, and second, the outlook for the year ahead, highlighting specific events that are anticipated to have an impact on the health of the country’s hotel business.

By Philippe Doizelet, Partner Horwath HTL (France), Horwath HTL

France

January 14, 2015

IRELAND - a 2014 snapshot, and business scenarios for 2015 and beyond

Horwath HTL

Ireland

January 14, 2015

UNITED KINGDOM - a 2014 snapshot, and business scenarios for 2015 and beyond

By Erlend Heiberg, Managing Director at Horwath HTL UK, Horwath HTL

Technology 4 hours ago

Folio Joins Avendra International’s Preferred eProcurement Partner Network to Help Hotels Optimize Program Spend

Folio joins Avendra International's eProcurement Partner Network, giving hotels access to 5,000+ contracted suppliers and $20.5B in purchasing power, with one client lifting program participation by over 10%.

Folio

United States

Technology 4 hours ago

Canary Technologies and Ulyses PMS by Septeo Announce Partnership to Expand AI-Powered Hospitality Across Spain

Canary Technologies integrates with Ulyses PMS by Septeo, enabling Spanish hotels to connect AI-powered guest engagement tools directly with their property management system.

Canary Technologies

Spain

Technology 5 hours ago

Beyond PMS and POS. Building a Connected Hotel Data Ecosystem

Hotels with fragmented PMS, POS, and payment systems lose decision-making speed and personalization opportunities; this piece argues data integration is now a core strategic capability, not just an IT task.

Shiji

Technology 6 hours ago

PPHE Hotel Group reimagines the digital guest experience across 17 European hotels through Hudini partnership

PPHE Hotel Group is deploying Hudini's platform across 17 European properties, including a guest web app, mobile room keys, self-service kiosks, and staff tools to streamline operations and personalise guest journeys.

Hudini