Dear Insiders,
Masks only in shops, little distance between rental loungers, lots of room under pine trees, delicious food and super service in restaurants… This is how Croatia welcomed us on our summer vacation this year, after they examined our "covid papers" at the border and later again at the tourism office. Bureaucracy seems to be reassuring. I perceived the European and colourful mix of holidaymakers in Croatia as mindful in general. Everybody knows what is at stake.
It's about the 4th wave, which is surging again in Central Europe right now. The countries want to break this wave by admitting only vaccinated and recovered or maybe also tested people into restaurants. The disagreement is uniform, and last summer's patchwork measures seem to be a déjà vu. However, one thing is clear: The pressure on non-vaccinated people is increasing. In a cosmopolitan industry such as tourism, this is ethically and morally questionable, but actually the bottom line is: without herd immunity, the virus will not disappear.
The subsequent question for the industry is the following: How long is the industry to continue suffering? The EMEAA region remains the biggest challenge, says IHG's CEO at the presentation of the – devastating – half-year figures. And Duncan O'Rourke of Accor says the same in my interview with him today: Europe is struggling, Germany is struggling even more… The CEO Northern Europe is especially depressed about the lack of staff members and is trying to compensate for this by forming local task forces. And the empty MICE hotels have to be reconsidered as well: He has already established new creative teams here. He is very matter-of-factly and solution-orientated.
In the world of mega chains, nearly nothing has changed according to the US magazine Hotels – apart from the fact, that Oyo from India was expelled from the ranking. This is an unusual step and Macy Marvel explains the reasons.
And why should you, dear hoteliers, install more charging stations for e-cars? The reason is very simple: As long as there is such a shortage as today, a charging station for e-cars on the premises could bring you additional guests. However, what you should consider regarding charging infrastructure as well as guest-compliant and comfortable billing, will be explained by The Mobility House from Munich today – a young technology business, which thinks interconnected.
Today's news shows: An increasing number of studies reveal the necessity and benefit of digitalisation and sustainability. Reports like the ZIA & EY, for example, and the RICS Sustainability Report.
Therefore, we feel our focus for the HITT Think Tank has been fully endorsed: It starts in Munich in 16 days – live and digitally. I know that there are many appointments in September. But these two days will provide you with so much condensed hotel-oriented information and expert knowledge you would only obtain on very few occasions. Sustainability & digitalisation will not become a game changer – they already are! Pressure and dynamics are already increasing here.
As executives, you need to invest time and vigour NOW, in order to understand the new and interlinked future between property and hotel operation! And we offer ample opportunities for networking as well. You will find all information on www.hitt.world. And the entire overview is displayed on hospitalityInside's page 1 today.
Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems
editor-in-chief
Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com
