The recent Airlines and Hotels Networking Forum was a huge success, with major hotel chains, ownership groups, and leading European airlines in attendance. The event was an opportunity for industry professionals to connect with peers in the wider travel industry and exchange ideas and best practices.
Importance of crew accommodation
According to the attendees, the forum provided valuable insights and allowed to connect with industry leaders to navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of aircrew accommodation. It is an essential segment of the travel industry that requires collaboration and innovation
The event featured a variety of sessions on key topics such as sustainability, procurement, sourcing, and digitalization.
Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality
One of the keynotes was given by Sven Wiltink, Global Director Responsible Business at Radisson Hotel Group representing the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and GBTA, who spoke about using our collective power across the value chain to deliver impact locally and on a global scale. He also discussed the pathway to Net Positive Hospitality for the Planet, and shared initiatives by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance in partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Sven also highlighted how the GBTA Hotel RFP Sustainability Questions are reflected on Croowy, the platform that allows hotels to measure and improve their sustainability performance. He showed how hotels can use data and technology to drive sustainability and reduce their environmental footprint.
Key Takeaways
One of the key takeaways from the event was the recognition of the importance of crew accommodation as a base business that can yield other business opportunities. Attendees acknowledged that aircrew business is not cheap, especially in today’s seller market. Aircrews have to stay in the destination they fly to. The quality of the crew accommodation is crucial, not only for the comfort and well-being of the crew members but also for the reputation and image of the hotel.
Ralf Diederichs from Lufthansa emphasized the importance of security for the crews and how sustainability has an effect on the procurement aspect. He highlighted the need for hotels to not only provide comfortable accommodation but also to ensure the safety and security of the aircrews. He also discussed the importance of sustainability in the procurement process and how it can help airlines and hotels to reduce their environmental footprint and to build a more sustainable future for the industry.
Daniel Stecher from IBS software shared his expertise on the complexity airlines are facing when it comes to crew technology and how it affects the hotels. He highlighted the importance of using technology to streamline and improve the aircrew accommodation process and discussed the different solutions available in the market.
Barbara Booth from GoBe and NBC also provided valuable insights and knowledge on the industry. Her background as a CNBC reporter and her experience in the travel industry made her an excellent addition to the event.
Excellent service
One of the highlights of the event was the excellent service provided by Steigenberger Airport Hotel. The hotel made an outstanding impression with its service and attendees were impressed by the dedication of the service staff.
Overall, the event was a great success and there is a strong desire to build upon the exchange of ideas and best practices. The event organizers are planning to schedule more onboarding sessions.
The Croowy CEO Leonie Godard was visibly proud of the outcome of the event and the progress made in the conversation about sustainability and crew accommodation.
