SMACK Hospitality SMACK Hospitality

Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim, CEO of Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA, joined Fritz at the FHS in Riyadh for a chat about Saudi Arabia’s booming travel market, the plans of Millennium Hotels & Resorts in the middleeast and African region, and the future of brand evolution.

Fahad found his true calling in hospitality through numbers. He went from accounting to real estate and landed in hospitality with a passion for showcasing Saudi Arabia’s beauty to the world.

The Vision 2030 and the country’s transformation coming with it are spectacular. Today’s travelers crave authentic experiences, and Saudiarabia delivers – stunning landscapes, rich culture, and history. And the food! Ever tried local Saudi honey? It’s not just about breakfast; it’s about tasting the essence of the land. 🍯

Millennium thrives in sustainability and unforgettable experiences – including local produce, farm visits, and cultural interactions. Guests book more than just a room; they book a story. For Fahad, it’s the best of both worlds – memorable experiences and earth care.

Stick around for the “not so easy” SMACK questions challenge at the end, which Fahad bravely faced and successfully conquered. 😉

Enjoy the show!

A business affair of data and sustainability.

Meet Caroline Tiveus, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Business at Pandox - one of the forefront players in bringing the #hopsitalityindustry to the next level sustainability-wise.

Caroline and Flo discussed the work she is doing to help hotels reduce their CO2 emissions, along with how different standards throughout the EU affect business decisions, and how it is time to take proper action instead of just #greenwashing.

Caroline doesn't just talk the talk; she manages several #hotelproperties throughout Europe and implements direct actions in all departments and teams. Her work showcases how businesses can actually save money while at the same time, becoming more eco-friendly.

Even though she doesn’t consider herself an activist, she proves every day that passion and data work hand in hand. For her, the most important part is doing meaningful work, to be able to look her children in the eye, and actually be proud.

Tune in to the full episode!

Enjoy the show!

Let’s say 2023 was not quite the year of deal-making within the industry.

Then what does the future have in stock for #hospitality and #realestate?

Alexi Khajavi President Hospitality, Travel and Wellness at Questex set down with Flo at last week’s IHIF to discuss trends, the role of technology and his personal “meandering” career journey.

Alexi and his team are deeply embedded in the #hospitalityindustry and run events to inform and connect industry insiders around the globe. With the help of the Investor Sentiment Index and at least one ear on the track at all times, they have been spotting trends from afar for 25 years.

And they have good news: there are great opportunities for the industry - in trends like senior living and also, strangely enough, in the epidemic of loneliness that is roaming the world.

Like Flo said, “This was a really inspiring and insightful conversation.” , so we highly recommend you tune in to the full episode.

Enjoy the show!

Have you ever wondered what grows in the desert?

We have. So we sent Phil to talk to someone who knows - Atul Chopra, Founder and CEO of FreshOn Table, who supplies restaurants and hotels in UAE with fresh greens and other edibles.

Minimum emissions, maximum nutrition is his motto and led him to create a company that connects farmers to #chefs - so close, that they can harvest on demand.

Atul has a lot to tell about circular economy and agritech, because six hours from field to kitchen don’t come from nothing. It takes a lot of data analysis, entrepreneurial expertise and education to get this loop going.

As Phil found out, there is a lot more we can learn from Atul, who moved from banknotes and Excel sheets to soil, water, and baby carrots. The serial entrepreneur calls 16 African countries his “playgrounds” and has lived in many more countries.

Besides this, Phil outs himself as a country boy – you better tune in to this episode!

Enjoy the show!

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This is real, luxurious, family business!

We had not only one but two guests on the show! Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and Lydia Forte, Group Director of F&B at Rocco Forte Hotels brought some great topics and giggles to this episode with Fritz, recorded at the famous The Browns Hotel in London on Sir Rocco’s birthday.

The #RoccoForte vibe isn't just a concept, it's a way of life and you can hear this in every word. Decades of family dedication have created this brand. Each hotel tells a story, blending local heritage with personalized service that leaves guests and staff feeling like part of the family.

Lydia and Sir Rocco spilled a bunch of secrets on how the #luxuryhotel brand developed over the years and their take on F&B and the impact (new) restaurants have on the whole identity of a hotel concept. Of course, Fritz had to ask about the future of the 5-star collection, following the recent announcement of a partial sale to Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund PIF.

We are so excited about this episode that we are about to swing from the chandelier.

Tune in to the full episode on our website.

Enjoy the show!

This was a first!

As you might know by now, we had the pleasure of teaming up with YHS and hosting the very first SMACK Live! #podcast event with Patrick Mendes, CEO at ACCOR for Premium, Midscale & Economy in Europe and North Africa.

Patrick shared a lot of insights with Fritz and the students at EHL about his career path (which he actually started off by quitting #hospitality and the #hotelbusiness), and the possibilities the ACCOR world has to offer but especially the “PME” – Premium, Midscale and Economy sector, which seems to be generally, slightly underrated.

He talked about his personal experience in Latin America and about heartfelt topics that he likes to personally support such as #diversity and #inclusion. The adventures he witnessed in #hoteldevelopment from the West to the East and of course also about what’s cooking at ACCOR’s development these days, as well as #paris2024 and #loyaltyprograms.

Patrick lifted the secrets about ACCOR’s vast structure of brands and regions and answered a gazillion questions from the students during a live Q&A and in individual chats after the recording.

Do listen closely to what he says about #worklifebalance, especially if you are aiming for a #clevel position!

Best now, if you tune in to the episode yourself!

Enjoy the show!