Skift Take
From direct booking wars and political instability (hello, Brexit) to figuring out what customers really want and handling issues of labor, these hotel executives have a lot on their minds these days.
The beauty of an annual hotel investment conference is getting the opportunity to speak with a lot of hospitality executives, all in one place. And that's exactly what Skift embarked on during the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in New York City on June 6 and 7.
What surprised us, during many of our conversations with these leaders is what's on their minds most—and what, frankly keeps them up at night. (This is also a question we posed recently to more than two dozen chief marketing officers as part of our Skift CMO Series.)
Overall, the general mood during the conference could be best described as "timid optimism" on the part of hotel brands and management companies. And one of "getting ready for a downturn" on the part of hotel owners.
Whether we're talking strictly about the hotel industry itself, or the larger global tourism industry as a whole, it's clear that 2016 will be a year of tremendous transition. We've already dealt with political instability (Brexit), acts of terror, the Zika virus, and a looming U.S. Presidential election.
Having had so many prosperous in years past, especially in 2015, hoteliers are now anticipating things to change, and they're preparing themselves for whatever may lie ahead. Here's a snapshot into what's keeping them up at night, and what their plans are for the future.
Knowing What's in Your Control and What's Not
AccorHotels CEO of
