Hotels Tomorrow 2025

Europe – The Region of Risks & Rewards
Breaking the Rules of Tradition

Day

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30 June, 2025

9:00

Setting the Scene

MODERATOR:
James Chappell, Global Business Director, Horwath HTL

James Chappell is the Global Business Director of Horwath HTL, the worlds oldest and largest Hospitality Consulting Brand and is responsible for 50 offices in 39 countries around the world. Horwath HTL is famous for their expertise in the hospitality sector having written the first uniform standard of accounts, and for having the most experienced local experts in the business. Originally from the world of advertising, James started in the hotel business in the best possible way, by accident, and has never left. James did a three-year management trainee course at the famous boutique hotel, Lydmar, in Stockholm before leaving to join consulting firm Overlook Hospitality Management with a brief to develop new products for the industry. One of these became The Bench, which revolutionised the way performance data was collected and used in hotels. James was Managing Director of The Bench for five years before becoming Managing Director of STR Global, the company formed by the merger of The Bench, Deloitte’s HotelBenchmark and Smith Travel Research. A regular speaker at conferences and on television, James has appeared on CNN, The BBC, Bloomberg and many others talking about the industry.

10:00

Welcome to Hotels Tomorrow.

The birth of HOT. Housekeeping & Logistics.

FACING THE RISKS

10:15

The Unconference Keynote

From Concord to Discord: Change, Complexity, Concurrency, Crises & Conflict
‍
WESLEY PAUL, Finance Expert, Investor, Disruptor

11:00

Window to Politics and Tourism. Entrepreneurs, Investors and Hospitality Leaders connect with EU Representatives.

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EU Politics on Tourism meet Hotel Industry Entrepreneurs. Let's remove prejudices and translate politics to economy and business models. Directly, first-hand with the decision-makers in the EU, in tourism and hospitality together with the entrepreneurs that make it happen. Legislation or Collaboration? What drives responsible tourism?

Moderator: UFI IBRAHIM, Founder & Chief Executive, EEA/Energy & Environmental Alliance
‍
Dr NIKOLINA BRNJAC, Member of the European Parliament and former Minister of Tourism Croatia
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SUSANNE KRAUS-WINKLER, Chairwoman of the Federal Tourism and Leisure Industry Division (BSTF) Austria, former State Secretary of Tourism Austria (2022-2025)

MATTHIEU DRACS, Chief Operation Officer, Extendam

The Pan-European Path to Rewards

12:00

Deals and Developments: How to make financial gains

Moderator: CHRISTIAN GIRAUD, Founder, CGHC

ASTRID SCHAFLEITNER, Co-Head Development, Motel One

KEITH EVANS, Founder & CEO, Lifestyle Hospitality Capital (LHC) Group

YANNICK WAGNER, Deputy CDO - Europe & North Africa Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor

RICARDO FERNANDEZ, General Manager Spain & Portugal, Limehome

13:00

Future Travel Flows – Developers’ Blueprint for Successful Growth

OLIVIER PONTI, Director Intelligence & Marketing, ForwardKeys

13:30

Lunch break

14:30

Setting the Investment Stage – Hotel Stock Performance USA/Asia vs EU-listed hotel companies

RICHARD CLARKE, Managing Director, Bernstein Societe Generale Group

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15:00

Buildings to fail? The conduct of hotel business will change

With building disasters in hotels in many countries, concerns about the physical integrity of buildings have never been higher. In future, hotel properties and operations will have to undergo a technical Due Diligence every five years. This would have far-reaching consequences.

PAUL SLATTERY, Director, Otus & Co

Challenging the speaker: JAMES CHAPPELL, MC

15:30

The European Transactions Scene

What are the drivers and what is expected in the coming 12 months

CARINE BONNEJEAN, Managing Director Hotels, Christie & Co

Challenging the speaker: JAMES CHAPPELL, MC

16:00

Long Coffee Break

16:45

Breakout Sessions

Delve deep into the most crucial industry trends and changes.

A
16:45-17.45
Green Horizons

On stage: Sustainability in the EU – Hiccups for Investors and Operators

Beyond Compliance: Unlocking Profitability Through Smart Energy Strategies in Hospitality

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is transforming the hospitality sector, compelling hotel owners and operators to rethink their energy strategies.

Ufi Ibrahim, Founder & Chief Executive, EEA/Energy & Environmental Alliance

Sophie Donabedian, Chief Sustainability Officer, B&B Hotels Group

Wesley Paul, Investor Renewable Energy

B
16:45-17.45
Heart of Hospitality

On stage: Human Capital

The Value of People
They're called talent or even ambassadors, but most leaders still miss the point - the real, intrinsic value of people lies not in the label, but in the grit, heart, and skill that keep the business alive.

Christina Reti, Founder & Managing Director, CDR Partners

Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer, Radisson Hotels Group

Jaime Faus, General Manager, Pullman Montparnasse Paris

17:45

Wrap up Day 1

Au revoir et à demain!

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19:00

Let's unite! The HOT Evening Get-Together at Pullman Tour Eiffel

Day

–

1 July, 2025

8:30

Bonjour à tous!

Autour d’un café et d’un croissant.

Stories of Risks & Rewards

9:00