Tag: patrick fitzgibbon

Briefing: Government must clear path for hospitality growth

Posted on by pmalone

A well governed organisation offering quality services will engage customers. But without government cooperation and well developed infrastructure the delivery of the product is more difficult. Visas, travel restrictions, expenses and security fears can put customers off.

Collaboration within the industry is needed to highlight these barriers to business. Also, more communication between the governments of neighbouring countries could help create solutions to these issues. Comment includes:

  • Peter Norman, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Hyatt Hotels Corporation on why hospitality needs a united voice to lobby against restrictions

  • Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP – Development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide on visas, air travel and infrastructure

  • Daniel Silke, Political Analyst & Keynote Speaker, Political Futures Consulting on making business and travel easier in Africa

  • Muhammad Al-Amir, Founder & MD, Riyada International Hotels & Resorts on the need for cooperation among the Gulf States

 


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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: establishing hotel product for new markets

Posted on by pmalone

Hotel brands are expanding across new and exciting global markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In order to fully exploit these vast opportunities, brands must first analyse the needs and expectations in their chosen location. A successful product will be established in a way that embraces the ideas emerging from these unique markets and will avoid using a “cookie-cutter” approach.

Brands are adapting their business strategies to incorporate a sense of place, while maintaining the standards and services which differentiate them from their competitors. This briefing includes case studies and comments from:

  • Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP- Development, Europe and Africa at Hilton Worldwide on giving an African flavour to their services
  • Jean-Jacques Dessors, COO – Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean & Caribbean Island, Accor SA on responding to market needs
  • Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA on marrying brand standards with a strong sense of place
  • Darroch Crawford, Managing Director of Premier Inn Hotels LLC on tweaking a product to fit the market


If you’ve been sent to this page but you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do so here. It’s free.

Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: impacts of digital technology on hospitality

Posted on by pmalone

In the modern world the way we receive information and the place we go for news, views and updates is through a connected device. Whether that be a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile, digital technology is so engrained in life that we don’t even think about it.

As an industry inherently involved in relationships with people, it is imperative that we embrace instant communication and have a strong understanding of how all these tools fit together. In this briefing we hear from 4 experts on how it is affecting the world as they see it. Including:

  • Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News on the increased exposure digital platforms can afford you
  • Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP – Development, Europe & Africa of Hilton Worldwide on why embracing technology is integral for success
  • Taras Ettl, VP – Development, Middle East & Africa of InterContinental Hotels Group on how technology has impacted IHG
  • Andrew McLachlan, VP – Business Development, Africa & Indian Ocean Islands of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group on the communications revolution
 


If you’ve been sent to this page but you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do so here. It’s free.

Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: appreciating the growth opportunities in Africa

Posted on by pmalone

The Tipping Point for Africa has been imminent for a long time. The continent clearly holds huge opportunities, but the complexity and size of the 50+ countries means it is often very difficult to get product there. Having said that, many Governments are working together to try to encourage and break down the barriers for investment, as explained by Dr Nelson Githinji, the Tourism Secretary for Kenya.

For whatever reason, some African countries currently have no branded hotel product within their borders at all and although there are intricacies which need to be ironed out, you certainly shouldn’t dismiss Africa. Reasons why are explained in this briefing by:

  • Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP Development – Europe & Africa of Hilton Worldwide describes the plethora of opportunity on the continent.
  • Dr Nelson Githinji, Tourism Secretary of the Ministry for Tourism – Kenya, on the concessions for those who invest.
  • Jalil Mekouar, of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels on the resurgence of curiosity seen for Africa
  • And Joy Albright of the African Export-Import Bank on where she sees the appetite for investment

If you’ve been sent to this page but you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do so here. It’s free.

Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

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