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
Bill McDowell , Vice President , Editorial Director 1.312.274.2201 bmcdowell @ mtgmediagroup . com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Mary Gostelow , Adam Kirby
PUBLISHING Dan Hogan , Vice President , Publisher 1.312.274.2221 dhogan @ hotelsmag . com
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Nakul Anand Executive Director , ITC Hotels 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
Laurence Geller President and CEO , Strategic Hotels & Resorts , Chicago
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
Kathleen Taylor President and CEO , Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts , Toronto
Susan Terry Vice President Culinary Operations , Hyatt Hotels North American Operations , Chicago
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DO THE right thing
This month marks HOTELS ’ second annual “ Hot ” issue . As I sit in my office on 9 / 11 pondering what is truly hot about our global business , I am thinking mostly about the growth of the industry ’ s collective social conscience , which to me is the best result of what has been a very difficult global economic moment in time . Don ’ t get me wrong , we all have a long way to go with our altruism , but I see more and more social awareness coming from the industry ’ s leadership and only hope this continues — even after more prosperous days return .
I sense a new responsibility and desire to do more of what is right to support the communities in which hoteliers operate — at the property and corporate levels . Hoteliers are putting more effort into corporate social responsibility initiatives because it feels right , because they are more sensitive and aware of the suffering going on in the world and — I hope — because it makes good business sense . The travel community today needs to know you have greater social consciousness — and is more prepared to reward those who sincerely show it .
The Internet appears to have significantly helped the collective hotel world — historically known as slow adopters — become more aware and react more swiftly to emerging trends . I can point to multiple moves that show just how savvy hoteliers have become .
For example , look at the explosion in hotel videos and films aimed at imaging and reimaging hotels and brands . It cuts a wide range , too , as just this week I watched the launch of a hot new video series from The Peninsula Hotels and saw a flashy production from Carlson celebrating Country Inns & Suites ’ 25th anniversary . Many videos are turning viral and placing hotels and their brands in a new light .
Then there are things like pop-up hotels — as well as pop-up restaurants and rooftop bars — that are not only profitable , but also create buzz and give operators a nimbleness they have never had before . I also love to see the health and wellness movement expand , not to mention handcrafted menu items being adopted in so many F & B departments . Then there is the reemergence of the green movement , now even visually displayed with cool vertical gardens making yet another a great statement .
Of course , hoteliers continue to tap into the benefits of being active in social media , and while some — surprisingly — argue there are no benefits ( I am not one of those ), at the very least it is a brandand buzz-builder at the local level .
I urge you to explore the pages of HOTELS this month to get the editors ’ take on what and who is hot right now . I think we identify trends — not fads — that can help point the way forward toward doing the right things .
Editor In Chief www . hotelsmag . com October 2012 HOTELS 5