A while back we spoke with Stephen Minall, member of the HITEC Amsterdam Advisory Council and owner of Moving Food Ltd., to address the issue of whether the industry needs to elevate the role of IT Managers. Minall is a man of few words and a brilliant strategist. His answer back then was simple: "it should be a challenge to all hotels."
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producer of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), will kick-off its inaugural HITEC Amsterdam with a pre-conference events program the day prior to the full conference. On 28 March 2017 are the CIO and CFO events, invitation-only round-tables that bring together high-level hospitality CIOs and CFOs from across Europe, for a face-to-face discussion on crucial issues their companies are encountering. Adding to the pre-conference program, HFTP is hosting its successful hospitality technology start-up pitch competition, Entrepreneur 20X (E20X). HITEC Amsterdam is the first of three HITEC events planned for 2017, and will be 28–30 March at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre.
Big news! The Student Hotel just announced the acquisition of the shares in our first three properties, Amsterdam West, The Hague and Rotterdam. The shares were acquired from The Carlyle Group, one of our first investors.
Timo E. Kettern is the IT Director at Lapithus Hotel Management and a respected professional in his field. In anticipation of HITEC Amsterdam which will take place next year in March in Amsterdam, we spoke with him about shadow IT activities, technology, and devices that fall outside the traditional IT funding.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producer of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), has secured two globally known, innovative thinkers for the inaugural HITEC Amsterdam. Opening the event is Aleks Krotoski, an award-winning international broadcaster, author and academic who is behind the BBC Radio 4 show The Digital Human and BBC World's The Virtual Revolution. Closing the program is Woody Wade, future scenario planning expert and author. The premiere event is the first of three HITECs planned for 2017, and will be 28–30 March at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre.
HITEC Amsterdam will bring together the best of hospitality financial and technology professionals next March, in an event that will show advances in the trade with access to innovative resources, industry experts, and vendors. The European version of HITEC (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference) which takes place in North America every year, HITEC Amsterdam is a premiere on the continent and promises to be the hospitality event of the year, with some 60 booths exhibiting advanced solutions and innovative industry-specific technology. In anticipation of the conference taking place next year, Hospitality Net conducts a series of interviews with HITEC Advisory Council members discussing relevant industry issues and offering expert insight on key technology topics.
When you look for a hotel room, you usually choose what to book based on how many beds you need, the size of the space, and the amenities offered (like a minibar or room service). Rarely do you get a room that’s completely different than anyone else’s.
But the Volkshotel in Amsterdam has a unique setup. Guests can book a one-of-a-kind room specially designed by local architects and interior designers.
The Dutch hotel market has increased again over the last year, as shown in the HOSTA 2016 report from consulting agency Horwath HTL. Both the average occupancies as the average room rates in the Netherlands have increased. As a result, the total revenues per hotel room increased by 13% and the profit per hotel room increased by 5%. The higher results were achieved despite the increase in the Dutch hotel supply. For the coming years, influenced by Brexit and the threat of terror attacks, a lower growth in both occupancy and average room rates is expected.
Hotelchamp is raking in €1.75 million worth of investments. With this first round of funding the Amsterdam-based SaaS-startup can continue its rapid growth and expand its client base. Hotelchamp helps hotels obtaining more bookings through their own websites. The seed investment comes from the founders along with a team of carefully selected angel investors, including a group of entrepreneurs from the hotel- and e-commerce-industry.Hotelchamp advantagesThe smart technology of the Amsterdam startup personalizes hotel websites in real time based on visitor behavior. Thanks to Hotelchamp, hotels are now capable of encouraging and convincing visitors to book a room directly. As a result, hotels will profit from significantly higher conversion rates. This offers advantages to both hotel and their guests, explains CEO and founder Kristian Valk: "Hotels become less dependent on the large booking websites by using our software on their own websites. They will have direct contact with their hotel guests, which makes the entire booking process a lot more personal."Massive chains worldwideHotelchamp's technology is already being used by hotels around the world. Most recently Millennium Hotels signed up to Hotelchamp. This hotel chain has 120 hotels in 79 different cities in Europe, Asia, the United States, the Middle East and New Zealand. Other chains and renowned names, like the Pallazzo Versace in Dubai, the Baros luxury Maldives Resort, Amber Hotels in Germany, as well as Bilderberg Hotels and WestCord Hotels in the Netherlands.Popular with hotelsHotels pay Hotelchamp a fixed amount each month to use its software. The amount depends on the number of rooms they have on offer. Hotels are not required to pay Hotelchamp any fees or commissions for bookings, like they have to do with the existing booking platforms. Growth numbers indicate this model proves to be successful with hotels. Currently the Amsterdam Saas-startup's turnover increases by 77 percent each month. Hotelchamp expects an eightfold increase in subscription fees this year.Carefully selected angel investorsHotelchamp carefully selected the angel investors they approached. Among these are several well-known internet entrepreneurs. Founding partner Investion Venture Capital brings specific expertise and experience in the field of startup acceleration, which helped Hotelchamp to realise its extreme growth in such a short amount of time.Perfect team of investorsValk: "We specifically went looking for a perfect team of investors, consisting of thoroughly experienced experts in fields such as hospitality, e-commerce, media and finance. The fact that we also have three investors from the hotel industry proves that Hotelchamp is catering to an urgent demand in the hospitality industry. Hotels want more control and more direct contact with their customers, and through our technology that has become possible".
Following the successful opening of Zoku's first location in Amsterdam, Zoku now plans to open 50 global properties within 10 years. Co-founders Hans Meyer and Marc Jongerius are building the global rollout team and are pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Neubueser to the role of Senior Real Estate Developer, Johannes Menge to the role of Real Estate Developer and Evelien Anne Christiaanse to the role of Growth Hacker.
Marriott Hotels, the signature brand of Marriott International, has welcomed Rotterdam Marriott Hotel to its portfolio. Ideally located in the Millennium Tower opposite Rotterdam Central Station, the hotel makes for an ideal starting point for business and leisure travellers to experience this vibrant city. Formerly known as The Manhatten Hotel Rotterdam, Rotterdam Marriott Hotel has undergone extensive renovation of its interiors to meet the needs of today's traveller.
In recent years the turnover of Dutch hotels, restaurants and bars increased more than the European Union average, according to figures Statistics Netherlands released on Tuesday. The Dutch hospitality industry’s sales are currently at a record high.
In the first quarter of this year, the Netherlands hospitality industry saw its sales increase to 24 percent above the lowest level during the financial crisis, in late 2009. The turnover in the rest of the EU grew by an average of 20 percent.
Interstate Hotels & Resorts - the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company - announces the addition of three new hotels to its international portfolio, including the Company's first entry into Germany. Building upon global relationships, the Company will manage the hotels with development and lease partner Odyssey Hotel Group, based in the Netherlands, with continued expansion potential for Germany, Netherlands and other Western European countries.The three hotels are Glow Hotel Eindhoven and Hotel Nassau Breda, Autograph Collection in The Netherlands; and the under-construction AC by Marriott Hotel in Mainz, Germany, anticipated to open August 2016."Our confidence in entering these markets is heightened by our partnership with Odyssey Hotel Group, and it is rewarding to see our portfolio grow in this region through a new relationship with an exceptional developer and lease partner," said Jim Abrahamson, chief executive officer of Interstate Hotels & Resorts. "Building trusted relationships through our breadth of experience and depth of resources, Interstate is strategically broadening our geographic portfolio with proven performance and an incomparable level of global diversity."With 55 years of experience globally and more than 20 years in Europe, Interstate's European-based hotel management platform includes more than 75 hotels currently under management in nine countries."It is gratifying to develop a strategic alliance with Odyssey Hotel Group," said Aaron Greenman, Interstate's executive vice president, development and acquisitions for Europe. "We look forward to providing focused owner support, generating exceptional value, and continuing to expand together in key markets in Western Europe."Odyssey Hotel Group is a hotel development and leasing company with a significant project pipeline in Europe. Maintaining a commitment to senior-level accessibility and a focus on building long-term relationships with investors, clients, lenders, and guests, Odyssey Hotel Group brings 20 years of experience in various segments of both the lodging and real-estate industry."This strategic alliance with Interstate enables us to accelerate our planned growth. Together with our brand partners Marriott International and IHG, we will concentrate on developing new hotels in our focus countries," said Rick van Erp, chief executive officer of the Odyssey Hotel Group.Spanning North America, the U.K., Europe, Russia and CIS, Interstate is the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company. The Company's comprehensive services are built on large-scale company resources, delivered with the personalized and focused attention of a small company. Including an owner-aligned organizational structure, experienced corporate support, and expansive industry and global knowledge, Interstate uses its 55 years of experience to contribute to each owner's success.For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts in the U.K. and Europe, please visitwww.interstatehotels.co.uk.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), global leaders in the hospitality industry and producers of the world's largest Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITECSM), is pleased to announce its partnership with HSMAI Region Europe. As part of the partnership, HSMAI Region Europe will co-locate its Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) with the premiere HITEC Amsterdam, 28-30 March at the RAI Convention Centre. "HFTP is proud to co-locate with HSMAI Region Europe in Amsterdam next year," said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. "HFTP is currently expanding internationally in Europe and Asia, so partnering with the world class association HSMAI Region Europe will help kickstart these efforts."HFTP and HSMAI Region Europe are known as global leaders in the hospitality industry and provide industry professionals world class educational opportunities, research, solutions to industry problems and networking. Industry professionals who are interested in more information may contact [email protected] or visit HSMAI-Europe.com.For the latest news, follow HFTP/HITEC on HITEC Bytes, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. For more information about HITEC, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], +1 (512) 249-5333. For more information about HITEC, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected], +1 (512) 249-5333.About HFTPHospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is a global nonprofit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry's problems. HFTP has over 5,200 members and several thousand stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITEC and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world's only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality. For more information about HFTP, e-mail [email protected].
HSMAI Region Europe are announcing their partnership with Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), global leaders in the hospitality industry and producers of the world's largest Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITECSM). As part of the partnership, HSMAI Region Europe will co-locate its Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) with the premiere HITEC Amsterdam, taking place on 28-30 March 2017 at the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam.
Two new Marriott International hotels will be constructed on the Danzigerkade in the Houthavens area of Amsterdam. The hotels will be built in collaboration with, investment developer Heren2, Cycas Hospitality and Marriott International. It is expected that the hotels will open their doors in Autumn 2017.
The european expansion of the NOVUM Hotel Group takes shape: A new hotel is being built at the port of Amsterdam, not far from this international metropolis' city centre. The first class hotel with 245 rooms will be branded "NOVUM Select Hotel City Harbour Amsterdam", with an opening planned for 2019.
This week a new kind of hotel experience debuted in Amsterdam. The opening of the very first Zoku concept represents a real turning point, one where trend becomes design, and design becomes the hype. For years hotel strategies have skirted the evolution mobile, tech, and a stoked Millennial Generation. Now Zoku makes a first-of-a-kind concept hotel, one where business dissolves into pleasure. We talk a lot about the space where high tech trends intersected with guest experience and progress, but this hotel seems designed to create, rather than to prognosticate.
The first Zoku is now open for business in the heart of Amsterdam. The new workmeetsplay hotel concept has been created for the global nomad. Zoku creates a new category a homeoffice hybrid, also suitable for long stays, with the services of a hotel and the social buzz of a thriving neighbourhood.
Building on the expertise of planning and producing the world's largest hospitality technology show, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has announced plans for HITEC Amsterdam in Spring 2017. The new event will be a counterpart to the tremendously successful Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITECSM) which brings together over 5,500 individuals from the hospitality technology community and is held each year in a different city in the United States.