BERLIN — Hoteliers have never been known to be innovators.
Hotel innovation is primarily driven by forces outside the industry in different sectors, said Martin Stockburger, CEO of Koncept Hotels, which operates seven hotels in Austria, Switzerland and Germany with a pipeline of approximately 350 rooms.
“If you are mature industry, and if you want to innovate, it cannot be an idea within the industry. If 99 are doing it this way, innovation is on the other side,” Stockburger said during the recent International Hotel Investment Forum at a session titled “Hybrid Concepts and Hospitality Innovation.”
John Philipson, COO of Cheval Collection, which has nine assets with 615 serviced apartments, said investing in technology remains critical but must consider the angle of what will add value.
Digital payments are one area hoteliers have much to learn about, said Sharan Pasricha, founder and co-CEO of Ennismore.
“Sixty percent of all online transactions are through digital wallets,…