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HOSPITALITY ENTERS THE RECOVERY PHASE AND LOOKS AT NEW TARGETS
di Mauro Spinelli CSIL, Centro Studi Industria Leggera
After passing yet another quarter with negative results on the demand side, the hospitality sector returns for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic to look at the future in a positive way and with more concrete elements. The loss of 180,000 international tourist arrivals worldwide between January and March 2021, i.e. 83% compared to the same quarter of 2020 (Source: UNWTO), which had been only partially affected by the pandemic, is now the past, while the progression of vaccination plans and the reopening of state frontiers are, today, the key elements for the resumption of the movement of tourists at an international level and therefore constitute the basis for looking at the future with greater confidence. On the other hand, some positive signs on the medium and long term come from the supply side. According to Lodging Econometrics in the first quarter of 2021 the number of hotels and related rooms under construction in Europe increased by 5% and 6% respectively, accounting for a total of 1,928 projects and 310,523 rooms in the pipeline. In this scenario, it is also possible to foresee a gradual recovery for the contract furniture sector, rather than a real rebound, a growth trend that will probably embrace a period of at least three years before market values return to the pre-Covid level. The reason for such a longlasting recovery is mainly linked to the slower pace of non-residential investments. But, in this case, it should not be forgotten that the crisis linked to Covid, before being economic, is above all a health crisis and this has already led to a profound change in the way of conceiving sharing spaces in general from hotels to resorts, from restaurants to cruise ships.
divisionecontract 50 51 OBSERVATORY CONTRACT
It is a 'new game' that leads to rethink the role of the hotel by expanding its potential, from a simple accommodation facility to a community incubator capable to attract various kinds of users. The introduction of smart technologies and new formulas dedicated to business or freelance customers with co-working spaces in the lobbies, the student hotels for the youngest or even the structures dedicated to seniors are just some of the possibilities to be found in the present phase. Of course, the role of furniture becomes even more fundamental since furnishings serve to make the environment more attractive, functional, livable and safe. From this point of view, the design of the common areas has undergone an impressive transformation, from somewhat anonymous spaces set up with reception desks and seats to embracing environments, where design, colour and lighting are taking centre stage.
Sunway Putra Hotel_Lobby_Kuala Lumpur
CSIL, Centro Studi Industria Leggera
