A new year has arrived and with it comes different opportunities and challenges. Some things, though, never change - the great majority of us tend to 'take stock' at this time of the year and plan for what we want to achieve or do differently, both personally and professionally.

Each individual has the responsibility to take charge of his or her own development and career. Those eager to do this should keep the following in mind: Burst the bubble: It is easy to get comfortable with doing what you know works and looking for the commonplace solution.

We are approaching year end and organisations will have set their strategies for 2020. In the travel and tourism sector, chances are that executives and senior leaders will have spent a significant amount of time talking about talent, or the lack therefore.

Sustainability as a critical goal in hospitality today has become mainstream. Whereas in the past the industry would have mainly focused on the environmental and economic impact of the initiatives, it seems that a third pillar - the social aspect - is increasingly gaining momentum as a fundamental element of the effort.

The hospitality sector optimistically, albeit cautiously, welcomed the third quarter. Expo Real ended October 9, 2019. Although there are still some smaller conferences scheduled later this year, it was an excellent ‘wrap-up’ session for many of the investors, developers, and operators present and active in the European hospitality space.