The Social Hotelier

The next innovation and disruption in the Travel and Tourism industry could come from… Banking & Financial Services and Technology industries

According to a research made by Podium 96% of businesses say a fast response to customers is important.

I discuss with Jayanth Kolla, Founder and Partner, Convergence Catalyst

In this segment of Hospitality Talks, Sam-Erik Ruttmann and Abid Butt invited.industry professionals to discuss industry challenges in the current environment. Guests include Alex Cabanas – CEO Benchmark Global Hospitality, Dr. Erinn Tucker, PhD, MBA, MS, CDMP. – Faculty Director & Associate Professor Georgetown University and Michael Frenkel – President MFC Public Relations.

Here are the talking points of the episode, called, ¨ Industry challenges during a pandemic ¨

Dr. Erinn Tucker

* • What can the students learn from this chapter?

Alex Cabanas

* • What have Benchmark done to address the various stake holders, associates, guests & owners?

Michael Frenkel

* • Communication is pivotal in emergency situations? What can the industry do to stay connected with all stake holders, associates, guests and owners?

John Podaras is a long term resident and hospitality expert based in Dubai. He is sharing his experiences and observations of the interesting changes in Saudi Arabia with the launch of Hospitality Giga projects supporting the Saudi Arabia 2030 vision. John also shares the attitude of Dubai and Saudi Arabia dealing with the corona virus, and how the pandemic has been effecting daily life.

I am discussing with Yasha Chatab, based in Jakarta, about everyday life in Jakarta.

Interview with Filip Boyen, CEO, Forbes Travel Guide.

– Breaking down what Forbes Travel Guide do. ( Inspections, Classifications and Service standards)

We discuss with my guest Sehnaz Cehreli, authority and expert on the needs of the new generation travellers. They are socially responsible, believe in sustainability and living to experience the unique moment. What should the travel destinations and hotels do successfully market and serve the needs of the travellers.

Discussion with a recent hotel school graduates, how some interns perceive their time as trainees. Why is there some reluctancy and loss of passion to stay in the industry? How should we tackle this dilemma about the so called talent drain.

Hotel Talks is a monthly show co hosted with Abid Butt, a global leader in the hospitality industry. We discuss the burning topics that effect the global hospitality industry.

We touch on topics such as;

PHUKET: The narrow laneways and pastel-coloured shophouses of Phuket Old Town are usually bustling with Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday, but travel bans and local fears about coronavirus have largely emptied the streets this year.

Just a handful of tourists, many wearing face masks, strolled through the area during daylight hours this week. In the evening, foot traffic increased a little under the glow of the red lanterns strung across the thoroughfare, but remained far below normal levels. Tour bus operators say 300 of their coaches have been idled because there are no passengers.

“The impact is tremendous,” 45-year old Ausana Akaradachakul told Reuters as she waited behind the counter for shoppers in her store selling postcards, straw bags, clothing and jewellery.

“Only a few days after the news broke about the virus, the Chinese tourists were visibly few,” Akaradachakul said. “I think about 70% of them are gone.”

The beach resort of Phuket is Thailand’s second most visited destination after Bangkok and is usually a big draw for visitors from China, who accounted for 11 million visitors last year, particularly around the Lunar New Year holiday. This is familiar event bringing back memories when I was managing a resort in Phuket, Thailand in 2003.

More importantly also providing some suggestions on the next steps to recover some of the lost business in 2020.

Happy New Year 2020. May this year be full of happiness, less stressful, more truthful with less false news. Jayanth Kolla Technology Trend Watcher joins me for a conversation about Technology evolution and predictions for 2020 and onwards. Jayanth is an oft-quoted industry leader whose viewpoints and analyst notes are regularly published in leading business publications including Mint, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune and Financial Times. He is my go-to expert on everything dealing with tech.

Our discussion is on the ground level talking about understanding what is happening and how it will affect you our daily lives

False news aka fake news is a serious threat, as it is not any longer produced in many cases by humans, but through the rise of synthetic media. Jaynath explains the GAN, and how it works to produce videos and audios that are very convincing.