EDITOR'S COMMENT
• For my birthday yesterday, I went to see Cirque du Soleil at London's Royal Albert Hall - having previously seen their show after the 2022 VRMA International in Las Vegas - and it got me thinking about the parallels between our industry, business and the circus, particularly the element of teamwork.
We tend to associate the circus with everything from acrobats to fire performers, trapeze artists, dancers and contortionists, and in many ways, there are plenty of similarities with the encounters we face in travel, hospitality and real estate. The end goal is always to deliver a unique and memorable experience for attendees but the structure behind it is just as important as the final product in order to succeed.
Much like fire eaters, the short-term rental industry has been fighting its own fires early on this year with the closure / suspension of operations of companies like Frontdesk, Here and Cabana, on top of the threat of stricter regulations in markets around the world. We can be sure of even more flips, twists and turns as we move further into 2024.
However, while the challenge ahead may appear daunting, whether it be performing daring stunts metres above a stage or raising crucial funding for your business, teamwork and communication are pivotal components to delivering that exceptional experience to your guests / spectators that establish firm foundations for future success. I have huge admiration for entrepreneurs who take their own 'leap of faith' when launching a company but they will always require support from others to ultimately make that leap more reachable.
Stay tuned for an extended editorial comment piece on LinkedIn tomorrow when I will explore this in further detail.
• The IHM team is looking forward to welcoming you to Belfast this time next week [22-23 January] for our annual Recharge event, now in its sixth edition. This curated event welcomes urban innovators at the cutting edge of contemporary hospitality, real estate and living to challenge the status quo. Book your tickets now at this link.
• Submit your no-cost entries now for the 2024 Shortyz Awards in as many of the 20 categories as you wish - including our new Team of the Year Award - by Monday 4 March at our dedicated platform here. Click here for the overview of the categories and their criteria.
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