Hospitality

The State of Hotel Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization Talent

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2025

How do you meet the needs of multigenerational workforces? How is the rise of the gig economy and fractional staffing models changing talent sourcing? How do you retain tomorrow’s leaders? How do you unlock the full potential of AI in your organization?

These questions, and many more pieces of the hospitality industry’s talent puzzle, will be discussed at this year’s HSMAI Middle East & Africa Commercial Strategy Conference, taking place on 26-27 November at Conrad Dubai.

Jason Smith, Vice President Marketing Communications at HSMAI, will be decoding new talent dynamics with a deep dive into the HSMAI Foundation’s State of Talent Report 2024, authored by industry expert Dorothy Dowling, and reveal the biggest challenges facing the industry. The report will jumpstart one of the key content tracks at this year’s conference – human capital.

Structured around nine key trends, the annual report investigates issues such as the impact of the 65+ workforce, managing 4-generation talent pools, transforming employee engagement, leveraging AI for productivity, emotional wellness, cross functional teamwork, culture-defining leadership, and gig and fractional talent models.

“Significant developments and emerging shifts are impacting talent within hospitality. In this report, we shine a light on the implications for the industry’s recruitment and retention strategies. We dive into the trends influencing human capital, particularly in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization, and present actionable strategies for creating inclusive, dynamic and forward-thinking workplace environments”, said Jason Smith, Vice President Marketing Communications, HSMAI.

In the lead up to the conference we asked regional industry leaders about their human capital strategies and the opportunities and challenges they see when it comes to talent attraction and retention.

“In a business where people serve people, it is fundamental to lead with culture and understand what team members need to thrive,” said Marie-Louise Ek, Vice President Human Resources – Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “At Hilton, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace driven by purpose, that offers team members opportunities to grow and feel empowered. This requires curiosity, creativity, and the ability to connect every team member to our purpose. We know that every job makes the stay and happy and engaged team members drive our customer experience as well as benefit our owners and the communities where we operate.” Marie-Louise Ek will be hosting one of the Lightening Rounds at the conference titled: ‘Unlocking Successful Commercial Collaboration: The People-First Approach.’

“At Jumeirah we value our people as our greatest asset, fostering an inclusive and empowering workplace where every colleague feels valued and inspired. Committed to career growth, creativity and exceptional standards, we support team success, motivating our people to deliver outstanding service, contribute to communities, and grow as future leaders,” said Jaime Simpson, General Manager Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, who will be hosting a Lightening Round on ‘The Evolving Workplace’ at this year’s conference.

The comprehensive report concludes that the future of the hospitality industry will likely be a combination of advanced technology and the human touch, delivering exceptional experiences for customers and fostering a supportive work environment for employees.

“Now more than ever, sales professionals are looking for work/life balance, and culture is one of the most important deciding factors in choosing their next employer,” states Tammy Gillis, Sales Industry Expert in the report. “Many salespeople are tired of working on property and getting pulled into operations and want full-time remote or hybrid remote positions. They also value training, coaching, and support which the hotel industry does not consistently provide.”

Hospitality

SKYLINE DRAW AT LEVEL 43 SKY LOUNGE

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Level 43 Sky Lounge introduces Skyline Draw, a new weekly social media-driven promotion offering guests with a selected surname a complimentary first drink and 30% off their total bill. The winning surname will be announced every Monday at 12:00 PM via the venue’s Instagram Stories.

The selected surname will be determined based on a random selection of guest surnames from those who dined at Level 43 in the previous week.

Guests who share the chosen surname can enjoy the exclusive offer, adding an interactive and engaging element to their dining and social experience at the venue.

Details:
• Offer: Complimentary first drink and 30% off the total bill for guests with the selected surname
• Announcement: Every Monday at 12:00 PM via Instagram Stories
• Location: Level 43 Sky Lounge, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
• For reservations: +971 56 414 2213

Hospitality

AVANI+ LANEXANG VIENTIANE HOTEL OPENS IN THE HEART OF THE LAO CAPITAL

Published

21 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Avani Hotels & Resorts has opened Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Hotel, introducing the brand’s premium lifestyle hospitality to the Lao capital. Set on Fa Ngum Road, overlooking Chao Anouvong Park and the Mekong River, the 197-key hotel offers a fresh base for business trips, city breaks and riverside stays in Vientiane.

The opening marks Avani’s second hotel in Laos, following Avani+ Luang Prabang, and brings the brand’s practical, upbeat approach to the country’s capital. Designed for travellers who want comfort, flexibility and a sense of place, Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Hotel combines smart Page 1 of 5 guestrooms, connected social spaces, relaxed dining, wellness facilities and meetings and events spaces designed for both local and international guests.

Guestrooms and suites range from Deluxe Rooms to a Presidential Suite, with layouts that support both work and downtime. Clean lines, efficient space planning and warm contemporary details reflect Avani’s easy-going style, creating a stay that feels polished without being overcomplicated.

The hotel is opening in phases, with a curated selection of rooms, dining, leisure and meeting facilities available from launch. Additional venues and services will be introduced progressively in the months ahead.

Dining will play a central role in the hotel experience, with four venues launching in stages. Mekong Mosaic, opening on 1 July 2026, is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, serving international comfort cuisine alongside Lao-inspired dishes, live cooking stations, wellnessfocused options and flexible formats including in-room and poolside dining. Sabaidee Social will follow in Q3 2026, bringing a Mediterranean-inspired tapas and bar concept to Vientiane, with casual dining, drinks and live entertainment. The Pantry will offer a relaxed café and co-working space, serving specialty coffee, bakery items, desserts and grab-and-go options throughout the day. Salongxay, scheduled to open in Q4 2026, will present a refined Thai-Lao dining experience, with contemporary takes on traditional recipes, a strong wine programme and an intimate setting for dinners and special occasions.

Wellness facilities are also being introduced in phases. During the first stage of opening, guests can access the outdoor swimming pool and fitness facilities. AvaniSpa and expanded wellness experiences will be added as the hotel moves toward its full launch, bringing Avani’s balanced approach to wellbeing to the centre of Vientiane.

Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Hotel is set to become a key address for meetings, events and celebrations in the capital. Lanexang Hall can accommodate up to 320 guests, supported by additional meeting rooms and outdoor event spaces. Select event facilities are available during the first phase of opening, with the full meetings and events offering to be introduced progressively.

Guests can also tap into curated local experiences and personalised concierge services, connecting them with Vientiane’s cultural heritage, riverside lifestyle and evolving urban scene. The hotel supports Avani’s sustainability ethos through the use of locally sourced ingredients, support for local producers and artisans, seasonal menus, the reduction of single-use plastics where possible and thoughtful operational practices.

Hospitality

SUSHI & BEYOND IS NOW FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK

Published

22 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Toshi, the Pan-Asian restaurant at Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai, has its popular Sushi & Beyond promotion on four nights a week. Running every Thursday through Sunday from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM, the unlimited buffet is currently being offered at an exclusive limited-time price of AED 149 per person, making it one of the city’s most accessible evenings of quality Pan-Asian dining

Guests can expect the full Sushi & Beyond experience: the artistry of Sushi Master Chef Kot at the sushi and sashimi counter, alongside Mama Nata’s rotating menu of Pan-Asian appetisers, mains and desserts. The weekly schedule now makes it easier than ever to plan a visit, whether for a Thursday night dinner, a weekend outing, or a reason to end Sunday on a high.