The new, reimagined environment that hotels and hotel-related suppliers are operating within can be tricky to navigate. Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, chats, disruption, alternative accommodation, are some words and concepts hotels have been having to confront these days.
The one-day WIT Hospitality 2017, to be held at Hotel ICON in Hong Kong on March 28, has lined up an international series of experts, operators and influencers to share their experiences, thoughts and commentary about these new concepts.
“We chose the theme of ‘Reimagine’ because that’s exactly what the hospitality industry needs to do if they haven’t already. Things are changing and moving in quick time, and anyone who is not willing to be challenged or changed, will find their world no longer exists,” said Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder of WIT.
Some highlight sessions include one on new technology. Lucy Werner, head of performance from Google, will explore new technology that will matter to the hospitality and travel industry. She will discuss how artificial intelligence, augmented reality, chats, and virtual reality will impact our industry.
Jeff Hurst of HomeAway
Also gathering much interest is private or alternative accommodation that has undoubtedly caused one of the biggest shakeups for the hospitality trade. Jeff Hurst, chief commercial officer of HomeAway will share his views, while Robin Kwok from Airbnb and Hai Zhuang from Tujia will be put on a Q&A panel, examining what the latest trends are in this space including new regulations and how the industry has responded.
This year, WIT Hospitality – in its second presentation – has added Deep Dives to its main programme. Deep Dives are break-out sessions helmed by selected experts in various topics who will lead small groups, allowing more indepth discussions. Topics such as how to get more direct bookings, getting the best results out of meta-search, hotel trends, the art of startups, loyalty programmes, customer experience strategy development, unique tours and activities and performance marketing will be explored.
Experts leading in these deep dive sessions include Charlie Osmond of Triptease, Hichame Assi of HotelsCombined, Phocuswright’s Lorraine Sileo, Fritz Demopoulos of Queen’s Road Capital, Steve Greenway of U-Holidays, reward-U, Widhadh Wahee from Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, bemyguest, and Puneet Mahindroo of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.
Marisa Sukosol of Sukosol Hotels
Change and reimagination also begins with a group of enterprising hotel owners who have made it a mission to create unique and different experiences for their customers, understanding they are now marketing to a new generation of travellers who have, well, changed.
Andrew Dixon of Nikoi & Cempedak Islands in Indonesia, Kittisak Pattamaseavi of
Montara Hospitality Group in Thailand and Marisa Sukosol of Sukosol Hotels will be sharing their experiences with delegates.
Registration is still open. Book now at https://www.withospitality2017.com/register/
