Rethinking Wellbeing - Why It's More Than Spas & Luxury Hotels
Hospitality often treats wellbeing as a luxury spa experience, but Valentina Clergue of EHL argues it's so much more.
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Beyond Greenwashing - Why Hospitality Needs Real Sustainability Strategies
Many hotels and travel companies embrace sustainability—but do they really know how to implement it? Carlos Martin-Rios, professor at EHL Hospitality Business School, warns that good intentions aren't enough.
HN Insiders: Sustainable Tech in Hospitality - A Conversation with Willy Legrand at ITB Berlin
Hospitality Net’s Simone Puorto caught up with Willy Legrand, Professor at IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany, during our time at ITB Berlin, where sustainability was a hot topic. Willy is a well-known expert in the field and has played a big role in shaping the conversation around sustainable hospitality.
The HOTEL Yearbook 2025 Explores Sustainability Tech-Trends
Hotel Yearbook 2025 Sustainability Tech Edition Debuts at ITB, Bridging Technology and Eco-Innovation in Hospitality
From Fragmentation to Future-Ready: How Hospitality Can Finally Embrace Next-Generation Tech
Hospitality is built on a foundation of service -an industry that prizes comfort, human connection, and memorable experiences above all else. Yet, when it comes to technology, hotels often stand accused of lagging behind. Many properties struggle with fragmented, outdated tech stacks that weigh down operations and hinder guest satisfaction. In a recent long-format HNtv INSIDERS discussion, Michael Cohen (Managing Partner at GAIN) and Matt Welle (CEO of Mews) explored why so many hoteliers feel stuck in legacy systems, and how new innovations—particularly AI—are helping them leapfrog into a more efficient, guest-centric future. Here are some of the conversation’s key takeaways and why they matter now more than ever.
Charting Sustainable Paths: Commitments and Strategies at Minor International
At COP29 in Baku, HNtv INSIDERS sat down with Chompan Kulnides, Chief Sustainability Officer at Minor International PCL and Willy Legrand, Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany to discuss Minor International’s sustainability strategy. As one of the largest hospitality and restaurant companies in the Asia Pacific Region, Minor International signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. Ms. Kulnides explains why signing a declaration plays an important part in demonstrating commitment to action. This was also highlighted earlier during the day by the many signatories of the Baku Declaration on Enhance Climate Action in Tourism. Legrand and Kulnides discussed human and natural capital, carrots and sticks in sustainability, as well as reporting and compliance. This is a packed 20-minute discussion to underscore the necessity of embedding sustainable practices at the core of business strategies for lasting impact.
Contextualizing AI: How an AI-powered Staff Interface Improves Guest Experience
As the closing part for the Thematic with Oracle Hospitality focusing on how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) will help hoteliers, this latest panel discussion [link to video] is truly superb 50-minute conversation with Jason Bryant and Tanya Pratt, two senior leaders at Oracle Hospitality.
What are the most significant challenges hotel groups face in adopting AI technologies?
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology becomes more pervasive in hospitality, the industry's potential to transform guest experiences and operational efficiency grows significantly. In the latest Hospitality Net Insider video, Bojan Pavicic, Director Technology & Digital at citizenM hotels and Stephan Wiesener, Founder & CTO at Apaleo delve into the realities hotel groups face in embracing AI, from streamlining guest personalization to optimizing booking systems and back-end operations.
Navigating the Future: UN Tourism Executive Director Discuss Science and Sustainability Ahead of COP29
As COP29 approaches this November, HNtv INSIDERS sat down with Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism and Willy Legrand, Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany to discuss the inaugural UN Climate Change COP29 Thematic Day on Tourism.
Cornell Roundtables at NYC Climate Week: Meeting the Challenges Ahead to Lower Tourism and Hospitality Climate Impacts
During the New York City Climate Week 2024, HNtv INSIDERS had the unique opportunity to engage with experts with Megan Epler-Wood (Cornell University, USA), Jeanne Varney (Cornell University USA) and Willy Legrand (IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany) and discuss key insights from the Sustainability in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality Roundtables—an event jointly hosted by Cornell University, its Center for Hospitality Research, and the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise. This discussion spanned a variety of pressing topics, from innovative green financing and the escalating costs of insurance in the face of climate risks, to sustainable agricultural practices and the capacity to manage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions via our Destination Marketing/Management and National Tourism organizations in tourism destinations worldwide. Join us for a concise 20-minute summary that captures the essence of these discussions and a chance to grasp how the tourism and hospitality sectors are navigating the multifaceted challenges of climate mitigation and adaptation.
Mastering Conversions: Crafting an Omnichannel Booking Journey
In this conversation with Jason Pirock, Head of Marketing at Springboard Hospitality, a premier third-party hotel management company, we discuss how properties and hotel brands can use a customer data platform (CDP) to increase conversions within the guest booking journey.
HITEC Rewind: Terence Ronson Interviews Wietse Bijzeit on AI in Hospitality
At HITEC 2024, Terence Ronson sat down with Wietse Bijzeit, Vice President, Global Solutions Architect at Shiji Group. They discussed the impact of AI on the hospitality industry, data privacy challenges, and the future of technology in hotels. Here are the highlights from their conversation.
HITEC Rewind: Michael Toedt of dailypoint on AI and Hospitality Strategy
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto interviewed Michael Toedt, CEO and Founder of dailypoint, to discuss the company's evolution, the current state of AI in the hospitality industry, and the critical importance of having a central strategy for guest data.
HITEC Rewind: Brian Batts of Revinate on Enhancing Guest Experience and Data Integration
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto interviewed Brian Batts, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Revinate. They discussed Revinate's approach to improving guest experiences and driving direct bookings through effective data integration and partnerships.
HITEC Rewind: Niki Stone-Johnson of Otelier on Integrating AI and Automation in Hospitality
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto interviewed Niki Stone-Johnson, Chief Product Officer at Otelier. They discussed Otelier's innovative solutions in hospitality technology, focusing on business intelligence, budgeting, forecasting, and back-office automation. This conversation is part of our HITEC 2024 series, offering insights from industry leaders.
HITEC Rewind: Sankar Narayan of SiteMinder on Moving Beyond Channel Management
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto had a conversation with Sankar Narayan, CEO of SiteMinder. They discussed SiteMinder's evolution from a channel management provider to a broader smart platform integrating distribution, intelligence, and execution for hoteliers. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, showcasing insights from leaders in hospitality technology.
HITEC Rewind: Tina Markowitz of Cendyn on Global Strategy and the Power of Data
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto sat down with Tina Markowitz, Vice President of Global Strategy at Cendyn. They discussed the company’s comprehensive approach to hospitality technology, the impact of recent acquisitions, and the evolving role of data and AI in the industry. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, offering insights from leading voices in hospitality tech.
HITEC Rewind: Klaus Kohlmayr of IDeaS on Revenue Management and AI Integration
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto interviewed Klaus Kohlmayr, Chief Evangelist and Development Officer at IDeaS. They delved into the evolving landscape of revenue management, the shift to cloud-based solutions, and the transformative role of AI in the hospitality industry. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, providing insights from top industry leaders.
HITEC Rewind: Roland Smith of SALTO Systems on Biometrics and AI in Hospitality
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto interviewed Roland Smith, Hospitality Industry Leader at SALTO Systems. They discussed the latest advancements in access control technology, the role of biometrics, and the impact of AI in the hospitality industry. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, bringing you key insights from industry leaders.
HITEC Rewind: Tim Hansen of Agilysys on Innovation and Guest Experience in Hospitality
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto sat down with Tim Hansen, Vice President of Sales Hotels & Resorts at Agilysys. They discussed the latest trends in hospitality technology, the importance of guest choice, and the future direction of property management systems. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, bringing you key insights from industry leaders.
HITEC Rewind: Amadeus' Joe Youssef on Data and AI in Hospitality
At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto had an insightful conversation with Joe Youssef, Executive Vice President of Commercial for North America at Amadeus. They discussed the evolving role of technology in hospitality, the impact of data on decision-making, and the future trends shaping the industry. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, bringing you key insights from leading industry experts.
HITEC Rewind: Dave Collier on Data and AI in Hospitality
During HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto sat down with Dave Collier, Chief Revenue Manager at Lighthouse, to discuss the company's recent rebranding, their focus on data and business intelligence, and the transformative potential of AI in the hospitality industry. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, highlighting key insights from industry leaders.
HITEC Rewind: Ian Millar on Hospitality Education and Technology
During HITEC 2024, Hospitality Net's Terence Ronson interviewed Ian Millar, Senior Lecturer of Information Technology at EHL Hospitality Business School. Millar shared his insights on the state of hospitality education, the integration of technology in the industry, and the challenges and opportunities faced by educational institutions. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, where industry leaders provide their perspectives on the future of hospitality technology.
HITEC Rewind: Ira Vouk on the Future of AI in Hospitality
During HITEC 2024, Hospitality Net's Simone Puorto sat down with Ira Vouk, a multifaceted leader in the hospitality industry, to discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in hospitality. Vouk, an educator, consultant, author, and tech entrepreneur, shared her insights on AI's evolving role and its future implications for the industry. This interview is part of our HITEC 2024 series, where industry leaders share their predictions for the future of hospitality technology.