Hospitality as a force for good: lessons from a refugee
Syrian-Armenian refugee Armen Melkonian shares how hospitality principles guided his journey from war-torn Syria to hotel industry success in the Netherlands.
Opinion Articles
Beyond the Business Case: What Hotels Get Wrong About Neurodiversity Employment
Despite 40% of UK hotels having neuroinclusion policies, fewer than 15% of neurodivergent employees find accommodations effective, revealing a gap between corporate commitments and operational reality.
By Jayanti Jayanti, Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management, University of West London
Between myth and experience: Monte Carlo's grand hotels as narrators of European luxury
The piece examines how three Monte Carlo hotels - Hôtel de Paris, Hermitage, and Metropole - each embody different narratives of European luxury through their architectural design and guest experiences.
Travel affordability matters: how Booking.com helps consumers save and make informed choices
Booking.com responds to Dutch consumer legal action by citing Oxford Economics research showing OTAs saved travelers $69.4 billion in Europe between 2019-2021.
By Peter Lochbihler, Global Director Public Affairs, Booking.com
Blending Tradition and Innovation at The Belfry: A Conversation on the Future of Guest Experience
The Belfry's Senior Finance Director discusses how the iconic UK golf resort balances tradition with technology to create meaningful guest connections.
By Florencia Cueto Pedrotti, Director, Global Engagement & Sales Enablement, Shiji
Expedia Guess The Guest: A Conversation on Hospitality, Dead Internet Theory, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Stupidity
Expedia executive Elisa Ragno discusses AI's impact on hospitality and the balance between technology and human connection in guest services.
MICE + hoteliers: it’s time to capitalize on London as a center of knowledge
Knowland by Cendyn's London MICE market report shows Corporate segment leads at 48% share, with Training and Education showing highest growth driven by employee upskilling trends.
By Robin Mittal, Product Marketing Manager, Cendyn, Cendyn™
We must restore the magic pact!
The author argues that hotel development stagnation stems from financing constraints and regulatory barriers, calling for renewed collaboration between developers, operators, and local governments.
By Vanguélis Panayotis, CEO MKG Consulting & Hospitality ON / MRICS, Hospitality ON
Hoteliers’ POV - Marketing and revenue resilience on changing waters
The travel and tourism sector is predicted to grow 5.8% every year until 2032 (World Travel & Tourism Council). This should bode well for hotels.
By Ryan Haynes, Director/Lead Consultant, Hoteliers' Voice Podcast/ Haynes MarComs Ltd
The state of France’s hotel market in 2025: Key trends, lessons and next steps
2024 was a big, unusual year for France’s hotel sector because of the Olympics. How are hotels faring now and what should independents do to stay ahead?
By Laure Cremers, Content Specialist, Lighthouse
Milan Hotel Market Spotlight YE JUL 2025
The sample of branded full-service hotels* in Milan recorded a slight increase in profit during the 12 months ending in July 2025, compared to the same period last year. GOP per Available Room (GOP PAR) rose by 0.9%, driven by a 0.2% increase in revenue and supported by a 0.2% decrease in expenses.
By Davide Barbaro and Francesco Calia
Hotel Market Beat 2025 H1 - Ireland
The Irish hotel investment market remained strong in the first half of 2025, with transactions totalling around €375 million. Major Dublin deals dominated activity, including the €86 million sale of the Ruby Molly Hotel by ESR Group to German investor Deka Immobilien, leased to Ruby Hotels Group. The Fleet Hotel was also acquired by the Lanthorn Group for TMR Hotel Collection. Beyond the city centre, the Grand Hotel in Malahide, the Marine Hotel in Sutton, and the Radisson Blu at Dublin Airport all changed hands. Activity outside Dublin was limited, with the standout being the €21 million sale of Clayton Whites Hotel in Wexford to the Neville Hotel Group.
By Tom McCabe and Ed Fitch
Dublin Hotel Market Spotlight YE August 2025
The sample of branded full-service hotels in Dublin recorded a slight decline in profit during the 12 months ending in August 2025, compared to the same period last year. GOP per Available Room (GOP PAR) decreased by 1.4%, due to a -1.0% drop in revenues while the cost declined by -0.8%.
By Tom McCabe and Ed Fitch
Sense of Place and Luxury Group Experiences with Canaves Collection in Santorini
Santorini possesses one of the most irrefutably incredible landscapes in the world. From its soaring cliffs overlooking the calm azure Aegean Sea to the white, red, and black sand beaches formed by eons of volcanic activity, Thera, the island’s official name in Greek, has become synonymous with the nation’s interpretation of hospitality. It remains a longstanding and foremost destination for luxury romantic escapes and families looking for authentic experiences.
By Larry Mogelonsky and Adam Mogelonsky
Manchester Hotel Market Spotlight YE August 2025
The sample of branded full-service hotels in Manchester recorded a GOP per available room (PAR) of £36.0 in the 12 months ending in August 2025. This represents a 13.4% drop compared to the same period last year, due to a 4.0% decline in revenue, which was only marginally offset by the lower expenses (-0.5%).
By Ed Fitch and Carl Ridgley
Prague Hotel Market Spotlight YE August 2025
The sample of branded full-service hotels in Prague recorded a healthy increase in profit during the 12 months ending in August 2025 compared to the same period last year. The GOP per available room (GOP PAR) rose by 6.0%, driven by a 6.3% increase in revenue, despite a 6.6% increase in expenses.
By Nicolas Horky and Alina Cazachevici
Island of Opportunity: Curaçao’s Tourism Transformation
Once economically reliant on petroleum refining, with additional support from financial services and tourism, Curaçao has seen tourism emerge as the cornerstone of its economy since the refinery’s closure in 2018. This shift has become even more apparent in the post-pandemic era. The island boasts dozens of white-sand beaches, vibrant reefs, and world-class snorkeling, as well as the historic capital of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Dutch Colonial architecture. Willemstad’s growing art, shopping, and dining scene and the island’s natural assets, rising visitation, and sustained investment are positioning the country for continued growth as a premier Caribbean destination.
By Patrick B. Nau, Senior Associate at HVS, Tampa - St. Pete, HVS
Passalacqua as the World’s Best Hotel and Hospitality’s True Soul
What does it take to be recognized as the best hotel in the world? With the latest estimates putting it at around 187,000 properties worldwide, winning this distinction is, statistically speaking, more prestigious than the Academy Awards or nearly any other glamorous honor for other industries. While some may think its perfect service and glamorous accommodations, the real answer is soul.
By Larry Mogelonsky and Adam Mogelonsky
Hotel Market Beat 2025 H1 - Germany
The German hotel investment market showed a remarkable increase in transaction volume in H1 2025 compared to H1 2024, nearly reaching the total annual volume of 2024. However, the market is still considerably behind the pre-COVID levels.
By Christine Mayer and Christine Folz
Hotel Market Beat 2025 H1 - Spain
The hotel investment market in Spain showed remarkable momentum and consolidation during the first half of 2025. With a total investment volume of €2.1 billion, the sector not only recovered to pre-pandemic levels but also recorded the third-highest first semester in history. Driven by robust demand and high-performing assets, the leisure sector regained its leadership, boosted by the record-breaking €430 million acquisition of the Mare Nostrum Resort in Tenerife. Domestic investors led the transactions, accounting for 66% of the volume. With a strong pipeline for H2 2025, the sector is on track. to surpass 3 billion mark, reinforcing Spain’s appeal to both domestic and international capital.
By Albert Grau and Bruno Hallé