BUSINESS
FORECAST
WHERE
HOSPITALITY IS HEADING
While 2021 has been a turbulent year for tourism, the signs are promising for 2022. We asked 11 experts from the world of hospitality to share their industry forecasts and the trends we should be keeping an eye on.
HALA MATAR CHOUFANY
NOUHAD DAMMOUS
President - MEA HVS hvs.com
Editor in chief Hospitality News ME hospitalitynewsmag.com
Sustainable investments
KSA in the spotlight
The current events have undoubtedly taught the industry some valuable lessons, especially in terms of sustainable investments, flexible schemes and innovative solutions. The hospitality industry has recovered and will continue to do so, potentially exceeding historic levels, as it evolves and adapts to emerging trends and guests’ preferences.
As per the editorial of HN October – November 2021, I predict a tourism evolution and a revolution in the GCC countries. The hospitality sector in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman will flourish. However, none will compare to Saudi Arabia, as it seeks to build around 150,000 hotels rooms, fund the development of 500,000 hotel rooms, increase the annual absorptive capacity of the airports by more than 100 million passengers and attract 100 million local and international visitors. Thanks to the visionary Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman, 2030 will mark a historical turning point in the kingdom’s hospitality sector.
Cultural experiences The key to future success is how innovative and adaptable the industry will be moving forward. The traditional hotel model may no longer be as attractive to travelers who are now seeking experiences, uniqueness and have a wider choice of destinations/accommodations to choose from. Sustainable practices and cultural experiences will become key differentiating factors in travelers’ decision-making processes.
Remaining relevant Travel and hotel demand will continue to grow as new destinations emerge and unique schemes are developed. While competition is increasing, travelers are becoming more sophisticated and have high expectations, which requires hoteliers, now more than ever, to change and realign their offerings and experiences in order to remain relevant.
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HOSPITALITY NEWS ME | DEC 2021-JAN 2022
Going digital Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to be part of the hospitality landscape. Indeed, many of today’s jobs will be lost to automation and robotics. Linked to this technological shift is the rise of social media.
Sanitization all the way As we enter recovery mode, it is now time for hotels to implement their plans for renovation, from changing their decor to introducing new designs. Hotel owners also need to optimize their strategies for refurbishing and innovating, with a focus on sanitization, as hygiene becomes a priority for travelers. Vaccine passes, such as the IATA Travel Pass, a mobile application that helps travelers store and manage their verified certificates for Covid-19 tests or Covid-19 vaccines, will assist in restoring travel demand.
