Top trends in tourism sector unpacked at the Hotel & Hospitality Show

THE Hotel & Hospitality Show returned for its fifth run this week. This year’s theme was “Redefining Hospitality: Recovering for Future Growth”.

The industry is galvanising support from local and international tourists.

The UN World Tourism Organization has revealed an optimistic outlook for this year and beyond, with international tourism expected to reach precovid levels on the continent by 2024.

At the event, which ended yesterday, at the Sandton Convention Centre, buyers and brands from sub-saharan Africa discussed the latest trends and innovations driving the revival.

Evan Schiff, the portfolio director of food, hospitality and trade at dmg events, confirmed the participation of 55 exhibitors. This included its new Enterprise Development Pavilion, where it provided a platform for market access to 13 SMME black- and female-owned companies.

Expanding on the theme, he said: “The hospitality and tourism sector has been one of the worst-hit during the course of the Covid pandemic… Hotels, restaurants and all other operators have been forced to re-imagine their businesses to survive.

“Together with our advisory board, we have identified some of the best strategies from around the world and will be bringing top speakers to talk on what has worked for other establishments and what South African operators need to know.

There was also a focus on experiential tourism in townships.

“The township economy represents some 5% of GDP, so this is a simply massive sector with millions reliant on this sector for their livelihoods… We want to provide opportunities for

operators to access new markets in the formal economy, as well as to expose hospitality property owners in the townships to the latest trends.

“By strengthening the businesses within the township economy we can make sure this sector grows. A stronger sector equals more jobs which in turn supports the whole country.”

On the subject of responsive restaurant planning, Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen led a fireside chat on the evolution of dining, the future of restaurant design as well as how to anticipate future consumer behaviour.

Other prominent industry speakers included Lindiwe Sangweni-siddo, chief operating officer, City Lodge Hotel Group; Lee-anne Bac, director, BDO South Africa; and Fabio Nava, vice-president: Hotels & Hospitality Sub-saharan Africa, JLL.

Schiff said: “We have over 30

incredible speakers on a range of topics that will allow for learnings on systems, techniques and technologies that can help hospitality operators… identify opportunities to maximise their revenues and provide improving levels of service.”

Like so many industries, Covid-19 challenged the hospitality sector to pivot “but disruption can also lead to opportunity – the trick is being able to identify and act on that opportunity.

“The pivot in question is an almost complete reassessment of the business model… This has led to innovations such as hotels catering for the digital nomad – international workers who work remotely and need somewhere comfortable and beautiful to do it from. The sector has needed to look at integrating technology more into its offering, so Covid-19 has also forced their hand to bring these systems online,” Schiff said.