Briefing: unprecedented growth for the African continent

Africa is the continent of the future. The continent has unrivaled potential, with many believing it remains completely untapped. Some countries in Africa don’t yet have a branded hotel product.

Many countries within Africa are able to compete with nations across the globe. With its mining industry booming and a progressively wealthier population, the hotel industry can be part of the story developing across the continent.

Brands are sought after, but what are the challenges faced when entering into this new market and what does Africa need to do to encourage investment?

Experts this week include:

  • David Scowsill, the CEO of the WTTC on what needs to be done in Africa to galvanize the hospitality industry.
  • Ed Fuller, former President & CEO of Marriott International on the challenges faced by the company when investing in the first locations.
  • Sir Nigel Knowles, co-CEO of DLA Piper, on the need to take Africa seriously.
  • And Gordon Drake, CFO of Kingdom Hotel Investments, on the implications of the resource-laden continent
 


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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.

Briefing: understanding the complexities of your business

Understanding the complexities of any business is paramount. This understanding is essential when the company grows, which of course is the ambition. Executives at the top of global organisations can now be clever with their use of proper and applicable technology.

New tools have made decision-making easier for CEOs of any organisation to manage their business from the palm of their hand. Whether they are on a development site in China, the head office in London, or on a business trip in Sydney.

Technology is continually becoming more developed and sophisticated. In this week’s briefing we hear from some experts with their thoughts on the subject.

Including comment from:

  • Gordon Drake, CFO of Kingdom Hotel Investments on measuring global financial performance.
  • Sean Worker, CEO of Bridgestreet, on his company’s decision-making framework
  • Sir Nigel Knowles, co-Global CEO of DLA Piper on how his global organisation maintain the flow of information.
  • And Andrew Sangster, of The Hotel Analyst, on forecasting your decision making.
 


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.

Briefing: global opportunities in 2012

Appreciating where the opportunities lie in the global marketplace is essential to maintain the growth of any business. There are many differing opinions on where these areas of growth lie; should brands be re-investing in their current portfolio or should they be aggressively pursuing new products?

The impacts of the recession are still being felt in deal-making and there has been a fundamental change in the way deals are put together. However, there are some opportunities that are too good to miss – what they are is discussed in this briefing.

Including comment from:

  • Gordon Drake, CFO of Kingdom Hotel Investments on investing in their current portfolio
  • Yann Caillere, COO & President of Accor Hotels discussing what he sees as the key countries for 2012
  • Peter Norman, of Hyatt International on the current opportunity to buy more assets
  • And Francois Baudin of Fairmont Raffles on where they see growth worldwide.
 


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.tv for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: Aligning modern innovation with business

Consumers are now associating themselves with brands like never before, therefore new product that comes to the market needs to have something to lure them to it. Innovations in design and technology allows businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors and consequently appeal to different audiences.

Some hotels are embracing new ideas to gain further market share. They are really seeing the benefit of doing something alternative and contemporary. Design and hotel features has arguably, in the past, been viewed as irrelevant but there are companies now working within hospitality whose key differentiator is this component – and they are seeing great success.

Experts this week discuss innovations and the modern day technologies that can be used to compliment their operations. Including:

  • Chris Boulton, CEO of yoo, on bringing design to the hospitality world.
  • Gordon Drake, CFO of Kingdom Hotel Investments about the multiple sources of income some of their hotels enjoy
  • Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels on the investment needed for innovation
  • And Ewan Cameron, CEO of Lonrho Hotels, about the correlation he sees with hotel development and social media.
 


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.tv for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: opportunity in Africa

The African continent is vast and one where there is a wealth of opportunity. Risks associated with the continent means many approach investing in the area with trepidation. However, many believe we are seeing its final dawn.

Some countries don’t have a branded hotel located within it, others are resource heavy and with a growing middle class the chance to really make headway is apparent.

Experts this week include:

  • Gordon Drake, CFO of Kingdom Hotel Investments, on a resource-laden continent
  • Timothy Lloyd Hughes, of Deutsche Bank, on Africa being another arrow in the BRIC bow
  • Peter Norman, of Hyatt International, on the inevitable chance there is now with Africa
  • And Nick van Marken, Hospitality Leader of Deloitte, on how Africa’s fragmentation resulting in opportunities for many.
 


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.tv 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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