Hot Type: R Collection Hotels, Pan Pacific, Benjamin West

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We love to stay independent, It’s harder, definitely, to promote our hotels and destinations compared to Marriott or Four Seasons, but it’s what feels authentic. We put our faces out there, giving assurance to each guest or each travel agency that we are there in case they need anything. This is what we focus on – we are always available and put our faces out there because we really care, and we love what we are doing.” – Ludovica Rocchi, R Collection Hotels  Read story

“Ten years ago, we spent S$260,000 to put 260 solar panels at Parkroyal Collection Pickering [its first biophilic design hotel in Singapore] and they produced 65,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy. Fast forward to 2019, when we acquired Marina Mandarin Singapore [now rebranded to Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay], we spent S$100,000 on 210 solar panels but, guess what, they produced 120,000 kWh. Overall, we calculated that the payback is now five to seven years, from 15 years previously, thanks to technology advancements and lower costs.” – Pan Pacific CEO Choe Peng Sum  Read story

“ChatGPT is going to change travel search for the better, and more people are learning to ‘speak prompt’ every day. Adding personalization will make it wonderful.” – Terry Jones, Essential Ideas, on how ChatGPT is going to change travel search  Read story

“The most important issue to be addressed first in the pre-project planning stage is establishing an overall project budget, or a ‘cost-per-key’ estimate. As mentioned in past ISHC CapEx studies, there is no single more dangerous question in terms of CapEx in our industry.” – Alan Benjamin, Sarah Churchill, Benjamin West  Read story

“People spend money differently when it comes from a bucket and not a faucet… When you see it depleting, you are generally more frugal. For our clients, it means that they may spend $4,000 per night and not $8,000 per night. They will still spend and go but won't splurge as much on ‘frivolities.’” – Jack Ezon, Embark Beyond, on luxury travel spending trends  Read story