EDITOR ’ S DIARY
Voices that resonate
Time and again over the past two years veteran hotelier ’ s message has been “ have faith .” While the pandemic created the biggest ever shock to the industry ’ s system , travel as a birth right cannot be overcome . Yes , the hotel industry will rebound faster than anyone predicts .
These tested hoteliers have seen it all , through peaks and troughs , and even with new lines of competition . It doesn ’ t matter as they have the confidence and believe the industry ’ s future is always bright . Yes , they are right .
This is the enthusiasm and wisdom that I love as a reporter
Editor In Chief covering an industry that speaks to me because either you have the desire to serve or you don ’ t . Yes , it can be taught , but it comes from within . That is the beauty of this industry and why there are so many lifers – characters who I love to meet and interview to better understand their specific take on what matters , what sells and what ’ s next .
This month , the Special Report focuses on “ The voices of developers ” and it was my pleasure to spend an hour or more with these five thought leaders to hear what ’ s on their mind , learn about their strategies for the now , and understand their messages . As Ramsey Mankarious of Cedar Capital told me , he doesn ’ t consider his job work because he loves the business so much . I feel the same , Ramsey .
What a joy it was to meet and understand the hybrid development plans of Marloes Knippenberg ’ s Kerten Hospitality , who has an ESG-focused , community-based mixeduse concept that is making her a darling of the EMEA development scene .
Meeting real estate developer turned service fanatic Leo Ghitis and having him explain his “ no guests ever leaves unhappy ” philosophy – again centered around sustainability – couldn ’ t help but fill me with hope .
Listening to Stephen McCall of edyn , another experiential brand taking extended-stay to new heights , made all the sense as developers start to adjust to changing consumer preferences .
And then there was Phillip Allen , the newly minted president of AJ Capital Partner ’ s new Marine & Lawn division with opportunities to tune up hospitality at legendary golf resorts across the U . K . You could feel his joy and love for the business when he described how he got the chills when he stood on the roof at the soon-to-be-acquired Rusacks St Andrews overlooking the Old Course and the beyond the West Sands beach used for the opening theme of ‘ Chariots of Fire .’
These interviews sometimes give me the chills , too , and no doubt assurances that , yes , hospitality is a beautiful place to make a living and will forever thrive . Don ’ t forget .
EDITORIAL Jeff Weinstein Editor In Chief
Eylul Elmaghraby Editorial Coordinator
Kathakali Nandi Editorial writer
Ever Villapana Designer
Contributing Writers Jeanette Hurt , Megan Rowe , Juliana Shallcross ,
Alicia Sheber
PUBLISHING Ali Jahangiri CEO
Brian Levine Associate Publisher
Marie Ekberg Padilla Senior Editor
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Nakul Anand Executive Director , ITC Ltd ., Gurgaon , India
Stephen Bartolin President , Broadmoor Sea Island Co ., Colorado Springs , Colorado
Robert Hecker Managing Director , Horwath HTL Asia Pacific , Singapore
Ramsey Mankarious CEO , Cedar Capital Partners , London
Christopher Nassetta President and CEO , Hilton , McLean , Virginia
Monika Nerger Chief Information Officer , Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group , Atlanta
Susan Terry Vice President of Culinary and Food and Beverage Operations , Marcus Hotels & Resorts , Milwaukee , Wisconsin
Trevor Ward Managing Director , W Hospitality Group , Lagos , Nigeria
ADVERTISING Caroline de Donnea-Birkel
ADMINISTRATION Kristi Carlson
EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION OFFICES 2151 Michelson Drive , suite 290 , Irvine , CA , 92612 info @ hotelsmag . com
Copyright Outclick Media . All rights reserved