The premiere of the Unconference Hotels Tomorrow‍

The path to the future of the hotel and hotel investment industry is currently forging a new way forward – via Paris and "Hotels Tomorrow" (HOT). The doors to the new (Un)conference open on 30 June/1 July 2025, at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel. The road to get there was fraught with obstacles, but the vibes for something new are pulsating. Focusing on Europe was simply "hot", perfectly in tune with the zeitgeist.

When the three organisers, Marius Gomola, Marc Werner and Maria Pütz-Willems (the "3 M's"), announced their joint plan at Expo Real Munich in October 2024, the decision had just been made. After many positive discussions with insiders, there was broad agreement on the need to focus on Europe and the desire to delve deeper into current industry topics – even beyond the classic investment conference topics. The mindset has changed. This is where HOT comes in.

The hotels of tomorrow can only survive through fair partnerships between owners and operators, between employees and locals, and with suppliers – all under the umbrella (and framework) of the EU, while guests are still the ultimate decision-makers who vote through their booking commitments. It defines our living environment, both business and private. In tourism, Europe is still the powerhouse of the world. Paris has been the most visited destination in the world for years – unrivalled.

Conversely, fragmented Europe, with its magnificent history and beautiful destinations, is a trigger for a great deal of capital from other regions of the world, continuing to flow into Europe’s traditional and emerging tourist destinations. At the same time, millions of Asian tourists are flocking to Europe. And it is precisely here that young companies are emerging—more digital and less established than many of their counterparts—with ambition, innovative ideas, and a hunger for capital to enable them to grow faster. The world is changing, with positive effects and new opportunities for the hotel industry too!

However, there are plenty of obstacles in Europe, as the HOT organisers themselves experienced. When all the cross-border permits for the new event were finally in place at the beginning of April, the first event date had already passed. The second failed due to a lack of hotel rooms in Paris, but the third date—30 June/1 July 2025—is set! Hotels Tomorrow will take place at the Pullman Tour Eiffel, in the heart of Paris and with a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower.

Gustave Eiffel inaugurated it in 1889, accompanied by much incomprehension, criticism, and resistance. His pioneering spirit should also be transferred to HOT and the hospitality industry to spark new impetus.

This world-famous landmark is pure motivation for the HOT organisers. Their partners and participants have long been calling for more in-depth content, as well as EU topics and issues that go beyond their own horizons. The industry contacts surveyed by HOT during the discovery phase are demanding guardrails for their corporate strategies. Dynamic change reshapes thinking and demands new communication formats.

The positive feedback is there, and as a result, the program is complete.

Two days are not enough to discuss all the deals, developments, strategies, and more—the dynamics of the market are currently overtaking us. Looking at the geopolitical turmoil in Western and Eastern Europe, one thing is clear: the region must stand together more strongly, and tourism must have a stronger voice.When we announced HOT, there was no indication of the challenges we face today.

Now, the premiere of HOT comes at one of the "hottest" phases for the entire industry. Hotels Tomorrow looks ahead.

HOT features big names on stage, and big topics—leaders and leading themes presented in a more personal, relaxed, and European atmosphere. At "European" prices and with down-to-earth sponsorships.