GROWING TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY SECTORS CONVERGE AT THE HOTEL SHOW AFRICA 2017 IN JOHANNESBURG

Leading hospitality suppliers from around the world have landed in Johannesburg for the inaugural The Hotel Show Africa, taking place from June 25 to 27.

The Hotel Show Africa 2017 is co-located with the continent’s long-established food and beverage show Africa’s Big 7, making this the biggest food and hospitality platform in its history, both part of Retail & Hospitality Week at The Gallagher Conference Centre.

The new event is adapted for the African market and based on international organiser dmg events MEA’s highly successful The Hotel Show Dubai, the 18^th edition of which will take place this September.

Tourism is at the heart of South Africa’s economic growth plan with a government-backed target of a 50 per cent increase in visitors by 2020. The hospitality sector is a key growth target for governments across sub-Saharan Africa and the continent has almost 30,000 new rooms under construction at 159 hotels this year.

Top national and international suppliers are showcasing hospitality products for restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels, right through to food & beverage service outlets at The Hotel Show Africa 2017.

Highlights of the three day event include:

• Build and security, three of the world leaders: Access Control Technologies, Dormakaba and Assa Abloy. In the bedroom, top US mattress supplier Restonic will be at the show alongside Belgotex, which is Africa’s leading flooring company, established on four continents.
• Blind Rage, promises the biggest selection of window dressings in the country, while leading furniture manufacturer Calgan Recliners will also be at the show. Origin Fitness brings the world’s top gym equipment.
• The Vision Conference, which has top speakers from around the world runs over the three days. It will examine key issues for the continent including: attracting investment for new build; the technology that is changing hospitality; what guests expect in 2017 and how the future African tourism can set the sustainability standard for the world.
• Speakers include industry leaders from Tsogo Sun; Tourism Grading Council; Solarus; Carlson Rezidor Group; Accor and Hilton Hotels.
• Other event features include a ‘WACS Kitchen of the Future Challenge’ by WORLDCHEFS.

The Hotel Show 2017 is part of Retail & Hospitality Week 2017 at The Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, from June 25 to 27. Learn more about The Hotel Show Africa 2017 and the Vision Conference at www.thehotelshowafrica.com

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY: THE LAUSANNE REPORT – OUTLOOK 2030

Leading hospitality management school Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) has announced the details of its anticipated new report looking into the future of the hospitality industry with a 2030 outlook.

‘Lausanne Report – shaping the future of hospitality – outlook 2030’ is a product of years of extensive market research and interviews with global leaders in hospitality. The study looks at some of the major forces influencing today’s world and how they might impact the hospitality industry in the longer-term.

It provides debate on potential future threats and opportunities – looking at different scenarios that could take place – the reasons and consequences.

To allow the time for the industry to fully digest and debate each of the key subjects explored in the report from smart hotels to the ‘emotive’ guest experience – its six core chapters will be released on a monthly basis as individual reports here. For those who cannot wait to find out more – it is possible to download the full report on the same site.

Its executive summary provides an initial view of what the chapters will contain. Below details the six chapter headlines, the opposing factors it will cover and core questions as listed (in the report summary which can be found here):

#1 SHIFT OF MARKET POWER
Consolidation vs fragmentation
“Will globalization fragment or consolidate the hospitality industry?”

#2 VULNERABILITY ON THE RISE
Fragility vs resilience
“Is hospitality becoming more fragile or more resilient?”
Key issues explored: climate change, safety and security, wild card events, migration streams – how fast can the industry react and adapt to a crisis.

#3 IN SEARCH OF A SENSE OF BELONGING
Communities vs individuals
“Will communities or individuals determine the future?”
Key concepts explored: crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer and sharing hospitality – hospitality business ability to meet the demands of individuals, communities and networks.

#4 THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
High tech vs high touch
“Does the guest of the future want high tech or high touch?”

#5 SMART HOTELS DEPEND ON SMART DESTINATIONS
Autonomous vs connected
“Will smart hotels be autonomous or connected?”
Looking at the connection between hotels and their locations, particularly at the time of ‘smart city clusters’.

#6 THE SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE
Empathy vs efficiency
“Must future talents be empathic or efficient?”
The importance for hotel managers of the future to find a balance between being a ‘stage director’ – creating memorable guest experiences and being both efficient and profitable.

For more information, please visit the Lausanne Report website or contact the EHL communication department.