Saturday 20th June, 2020 TODAY'S TOP STORY Damn the outlets: Why hotels get restaurants Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks Company, has strong views on hotel F&B outlets. LATEST NEWS If you missed our last newsletter... check out the stories below! Times Square EDITION to close one year after debut Pan Pacific postpones London opening to 2021 Hilton cuts 20 per cent of global workforce Barcelona hotel launches charity campaign with Ronnie Wood Newport’s Brenton Hotel to open in July Akia secures funding for AI-enabled contactless hotel solution FEATURES PODCASTS EDITOR'S COMMENT 20/06/2020
• There is certainly a theme in this week's industry news, and that theme is delivering services in the most efficient way possible while reducing human interaction. In some ways it goes against what many see as the basic principles of hospitality, but in the current situation, it is essential for the hospitality industry to adopt more contactless technology to help it get back on its feet as quickly as possible.
CitizenM is the latest operator to launch a "full contactless experience". The company has upgraded its existing technological features, and instituted new limited cleaning facilities. Now, a guest can check in through an app, rather than the kiosk-based experience used beforehand. Passport scanning, concierge features, in-room controls and check out can all be done entirely through a traveller’s mobile.
It has also launched a new cleaning experience, allowing guests to opt in or out of various level of cleaning, and introducing 100 per cent fresh air ventilation, rather than recirculation. Hotels have strategically placed disinfectant stations for guests and staff alike, with electrostatic sprayers handling luggage, public areas and guestrooms after check out.
Technology such as this is becoming so commonplace now that it is becoming a customer expectation, particularly in economy and select service hotels - it could well be that in-depth interaction with staff will be limited to the luxury end of the market.
• Don't forget to register for the next in our Urban Living webinar series, which takes place on June 24, at 14:00 BST when we will be discussing how work is converging with the new-age of hospitality - or Workspitality as the folks at Accor's Wojo coworking brand put it.
Joining moderator Piers Brown will be:
Click here to register for the no cost webinar.
Future topics include:
If you are interested in being a guest speaker in any of the webinars, please contact me at george@internationalhospitality.media
George Sell, editor
For more information and sponsorship/advertising opportunities please get in touch. Katie Houghton
Group head of sales: media and events +44 (0)7535 135 116
Our events:
International Hospitality Media is the premier specialist in online publishing; conference, exhibition and events, and advisory services for niche growth sectors of the hospitality industry. The company publishes three industry-leading b2b websites - BoutiqueHotelNews.com and ServicedApartmentNews.com and ShortTermRentalz.com which keep their respective sectors up to speed with news, comment and opinion.
Our conference experience spans three continents and covers high growth segments including boutique, lifestyle and hybrid hotels, serviced apartments / aparthotels and extended stay, and vacation rental. Our events are renowned for their intense focus and attract quality industry leaders, brands and independents, providing unparalleled networking and learning opportunities. We also organise bespoke educational events and investor breakfasts to bring owners, operators and investors together. 'Providing an inspirational community to connect people through world class online platforms and events' © 2020 International Hospitality Media. All Rights Reserved.
Confirmation of your subscription opts you in to receive future updates on the event listed above, in addition to relevant communications from our partners. You can opt out at any time.
|