Top speakers at HITT 2019 praise hospitality, but: extremes highly welcome!
Highly coveted and fiercely challenged
Berlin (May 24, 2019). Figuratively speaking, the area of conflict created by digitisation is located right in the middle of the bright red sunset and the fierce lightning of a thunderstorm that ended the get-together at the 2nd HospitalityInside Think Tank (HITT) in Berlin on Sunday evening. On Monday, on board the seminar ship that floated along the Havel river for eight hours, everything started to flow: the top speakers encouraged the industry to rethink the hotel industry, to let go of old patterns, to experiment and to dare to take extremes. Everyone talked about – successful – examples from all over the world, no matter whether it was about markets, retail, HR or the global categorisation of the industry in the digital world. A lively, intense day full of pragmatism and fun with a flying microphone.
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After the 2nd HITT: The spectre of digitisation disappears
Dear Insiders,
The second HITT was again a success – even livelier and more interactive than a year ago, pragmatic, clear and surprising in terms of many of the statements made by our top-class speakers. The ship tour along the Havel in Berlin gives the impression of calm at this think tank, freeing the mind from its usual concerns and distractions and encouraging inspiration. From the moment the ship put out to the river to the time it moored again, HITT guests were fully focused, asked critical questions and discussed openly with everyone. We had the feeling that the spectre of digitisation has disappeared – at least for those who have now participated for the second time on the river and/or in our post event workshops.
We would like to thank everyone for this exceptional day amidst the hectic of everyday life! On our page 1, you will find an initial summary and statements from the keynote speeches. More pictures/videos will follow next week. And of course there will be a third HITT: on 21/22 June 2020, again in Berlin, again on the ship. Save the date!
While we were floating down the Havel, Fred Fettner took a look at the new and very successful bike parks in the Austrian mountains. Lift operators and hotels are now earning (more) money in summer both from the sporty mountain bikers as well as from those who prefer more leisurely bike rides. Another target group is born.
In Dubai too, an increasing number of hotel groups are developing a finer sense for their target groups. Competition turns up the pressure. Some rely on F&B with star chefs, others on halal or technology to seduce guests. Malin Flamm sought out the trends at the ATM.
According to our knowledge of yesterday, the B&B sale to Goldman Sachs (see our Breaking News from Sunday) has been signed off. Accor is also constantly signing new partnerships, this time for Jo&Joe, for new luxury hotels – and with a new COO for the "Luxe" division.
We also bring you interesting news from the IMEX in Frankfurt last week, on the world's rising tourism figures in the 1st quarter and on the results of a study on travelling with digital assistants. And in Germany this week, fears of a VAT increase have again begun to circulate…
Enjoy reading and for today, ahoi!
Yours, Maria Pütz-Willems, Editor in Chief
Your opinion? maria[at]hospitalityInside.com
Follow us on LinkedIn / The Think Tank www.hitt.world
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