THE MAGAZINE OF THE WORLDWIDE HOTEL INDUSTRY
EDITORIAL Jeff Weinstein , Editor In Chief 1.312.274.2226 E-mail : jweinstein @ hotelsmag . com
Ann Bagel Storck , Managing Editor 1.312.274.2209 E-mail : astorck @ hotelsmag . com
Nathan Greenhalgh , Associate Editor 1.312.274.2229 E-mail : ngreenhalgh @ hotelsmag . com
Dani Friedland , New Media Editor 1.312.274.2223 E-mail : dfriedland @ mtgmediagroup . com
Queenie Burns , Vice President , Design 1.312.274.2216 E-mail : qburns @ mtgmediagroup . com
Bert Ganzon , Senior Art Director 1.312.274.2227 E-mail : bganzon @ mtgmediagroup . com
Steve Vanden Heuvel , Senior Art Director 1.312.274.2218 E-mail : svandenheuvel @ mtgmediagroup . com
Michelle Villadolid , Freelance Design E-mail : mvilladolid @ mtgmediagroup . com
Bill McDowell , Vice President , Editorial Director 1.312.274.2201 bmcdowell @ mtgmediagroup . com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Mary Gostelow , Adam Kirby , Oriana Lerner
PUBLISHING Dan Hogan , Vice President , Publisher 1.312.274.2221 dhogan @ hotelsmag . com
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Nakul Anand Executive Director , ITC Ltd ., Gurgaon , India
Stephen Bartolin Chairman and CEO , The Broadmoor , Colorado Springs , Colorado
Eric Danziger President and CEO , Wyndham Hotel Group , Parsippany , New Jersey
Geoffrey Gelardi Managing Director , The Lanesborough , London
Kirk Kinsell President , the Americas , IHG , Atlanta
Alex Kyriakidis President and Managing Director , Middle East and Africa , Marriott International , Dubai
Christopher Nassetta President and CEO , Hilton Worldwide , McLean , Virginia
Monika Nerger Chief Information Officer , Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group , Atlanta
Paul Sistare President and CEO , Atlantica Hotels International , São Paulo
Susan Terry Vice President Culinary Operations , Hyatt Hotels North American Operations , Chicago
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FEARLESS FORECAST
This month HOTELS presents regional snapshots of what to expect in 2014 . Overall , the arrow is pointing upward for the global hotel industry with talk of an end to negative growth in Europe ; continued strength in the Arabian Gulf despite the Arab Spring ; strong results in Asia Pacific with , perhaps , moving targets for development ; everincreasing potential finally being realized in Latin America ; and a very strong year expected — both on the performance and M & A fronts — in North America . At the same time , everyone is going to be closely watching Blackstone ’ s pending IPOs for Hilton , La Quinta and Extended Stay and wondering how a new U . S . Federal Reserve chief will manage monetary policy in a fragile economy , which has obvious global repercussions .
From my office , where I love to analyze the news of the day and try to figure out what is truly trend-worthy and what is simply the next passing fad , allow me to gaze upon my tea leaves to offer a few predictions to consider for 2014 :
� We haven ’ t seen nearly enough new brands launched over the past 12 months ( tongue planted firmly in cheek ), so expect to see more in 2014 . I like the cheap-chic and ecosensitive segments and expect more players who don ’ t have lower-end brands to jump into the fray in an attempt to replicate the early successes of the likes of CitizenM . I am particularly intrigued by the pending launch of Barry Sternlicht ’ s 1 brand .
� More hotels will follow the highly publicized move made by the Hilton in Midtown Manhattan and convert from traditional room service delivery systems to combo grab-and-go , brown-bag delivery , fast-casual sit-down concepts .
� On the tech front , social media will continue to take bigger slices out of budget pies as well as earn more respect as a marketing approach with measurable ROI .
� Experiential packages will grow
considerably with art , fashion and culinary leading the way . To wit , consider that the new Andaz from Hyatt in Costa Rica has hired a “ cultural insider ” and “ resort team stylist ” to help curate and personalize guest itineraries .
� More hotel CEOs will come from the real estate and ownership side of the hotel business , similar to the way Four Seasons recently named former Prudential executive Allen Smith as its new leader .
In fact , on p . 10 you can read an excerpt from the first interview Smith gave since being named CEO . After speaking with him at length in mid-October , I think Smith has much more of an understanding about the hotel business than just how to structure a deal and grow a global organization . We also found out that behind the suit is a husband and father of four , as well as an avid cook and cyclist who wishes he had more time for fly fishing . For even more , look for Smith on the cover of the December issue of HOTELS ’ Investment Outlook .
As I wished Smith much success in his new role , I too send to all of you best wishes from HOTELS for a happy , healthy and prosperous 2014 .
Editor In Chief www . hotelsmag . com December 2013 HOTELS 5