At last week’s Annual Hospitality Conference in Manchester, leading names and brands in hospitality met to focus on renewed growth in the industry with a theme of ‘Proven Paths and New Horizons’ for 2024/25.

Among them, RBH’s executive team attended as a Gold Sponsor, while also joining the two-day programme of enlightening and stimulating education sessions, driving discussions around capitalising on evolving macro-economic shifts, and cost-effective construction innovations in hotels.

From discussing navigating political changes and managing risks, to seizing emerging trends, our Managing Director, Louisa Green, joined a panel of thought leaders, alongside Karen Friebe, Head of Hotels, Hospitality and Leisure, Bird & Bird LLP, Joanna Kurowska, Managing Director UK&I at IHG, and Ronen Nissenbaum, CEO at Fattal Hotels.

Louisa highlighted that although the industry is susceptible to outside factors such as the rise in energy cost and subsequent impact on the supply chain, or previous staff shortages, the industry has nonetheless continued to prove itself to be resilient.

Regarding technology's role in addressing some of these challenges – something that RBH is currently exploring – Louisa noted that there are certainly efficiencies to be made through the advancement of technology and automation, from enhancing guest experience to reducing time spent on mundane tasks.

Louisa ended the discussion emphasising hospitality’s resilience, and that it will have to continue to adapt when faced with future unknown challenges.

Meanwhile, day two saw our Chief Technical Officer, Gregor MacNaughton join Steve Walford, Vice President at Cedar Capital Partners and Ben Harper, CEO at Watergate Bay in exploring construction costs and the feasibility of sustainable strategies for new developments, led by Hospitality Investor’s Editor-In-Chief, Patrick Whyte.

Due to rising construction costs, Gregor shared insights into the changing trends from across the RBH portfolio, including the shift from new build construction to enhancing existing assets in the form of larger refurbs and bedroom extensions, as well as the investments being made in energy-saving technologies. He also talked through how to manage around 25 different owners with varying ESG views and objectives across a number of capital projects, and the widespread positive reception for energy-saving features like temperature controls and green walls.

The panel discussed the role of government and industry standards in successful build and design projects, with Gregor stressing the potential for government criteria to enforce ESG standards for hotels. He noted the influence of some international brands in setting energy targets for their hotels and introducing brand standards around sustainability, with others in the industry likely to follow suit.

Photography credit - Simon Callaghan Photography