EDITOR ’ S DIARY
PASSION FOR HOSPITALITY
EDITORIAL Jeff Weinstein , Editor In Chief 1.312.274.2226 E-mail : jweinstein @ hotelsmag . com Barbara Bohn , Managing Editor 1.312.274.2209 E-mail : bbohn @ hotelsmag . com Chloe Riley , Associate Editor 1.312.274.2229 E-mail : criley @ hotelsmag . 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 Brittney Hackbart , Associate Art Director 1.312.274.2216 E-mail : bhackbart @ mtgmediagroup . com Carolina Martinez , Freelance Design E-mail : cmartinez @ mtgmediagroup . com Bill McDowell , Vice President , Editorial Director 1.312.274.2201 bmcdowell @ mtgmediagroup . com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Oriana Lerner , Erin Sund
PUBLISHING David Wood , Publisher 1.312.274.2225 dwood @ hotelsmag . com
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Nakul Anand Executive Director , ITC Ltd ., Gurgaon , India Stephen Bartolin President , Broadmoor Sea Island Co ., Colorado Springs , Colorado Geoffrey Gelardi Managing Director , The Lanesborough , London 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 of culinary and food and beverage operations , Marcus Hotels & Resorts , Milwaukee , Wisconsin
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Two DIFFERENTIATING TRENDS
I
’ m particularly encouraged this month by two themes on the pages ahead that show how hotels can truly differentiate as well as reinforce what I consider crucial trends for hoteliers to follow and best compete with disruptors .
Let me start by gushing over Dietmar Müller-Elmau ’ s Orania Berlin hotel , which opened about five months ago and taps into a trend that is coming fast – hotel entertainment . What sets Orania Berlin apart is that it not only brings in local artists but local political figures to offer discourse on the issues of the day . As a result of sometimes controversial commentaries , the hotel has been in the news for its risk-taking , which has helped generate gangbuster business , according to Müller-Elmau . Artists perform on the lobby area stage and stay at the hotel instead of getting paid , making themselves available to interact with guests looking for inspiration and to meet those who are of different minds – not like-minded travelers .
What Orania Berlin also does is offer experiences that home-sharing providers cannot – and that is one of the key takeaways . Not surprisingly , with the immediate success of Berlin , Müller- Elmau wants to replicate the concept in other cultural gateways .
The other concept I want to reinforce relates to sustainability . It has been a part of hospitality ’ s nomenclature for years , but I believe it is now ready to matter even more to independent travelers and groups . All the data about how we are destroying the planet is too compelling and seems to matter more to the next generation of consumers . In addition to a feature on a consciously designed hotel in
Editor In Chief
Mexico that graces our cover this month , HOTELS Managing Editor Barbara Bohn looked at the state of sustainable practices and found out how important it is to get started during the feasibility stage of design .
One group I want to bring to your attention is Now ( itmustbenow . com ), an initiative calling for true accountability around sustainability with no greenwashing allowed . Led by Alexa and Onno Poortier , a luxury hotelier who has held senior leadership positions at the likes of The Peninsula Group and properties across Switzerland , the duo ’ s no-nonsense , help save the planet approach is refreshing and hopefully what the hotel industry needs to improve its scorecard .
While measurement and benchmarking are truly critical they are too often not mandated . However , those who do go the extra mile will be recognized and have a differentiator that will matter more .
As you look for ways in 2018 to stand apart , rise above the fray and position yourself for longer-term success , looking at entertainment and your sustainability quotient are two great starting points .
January / February 2018 hotelsmag . com 7