‘Hotel Hábitat València’ to host programme of talks, arranged by the ITH, analysing keys to future of hotel industry, with speakers including hotel chains, specifiers and design professionals.
Valencia, 23 July 2024.- As part of the upcoming edition of Feria Hábitat València, which runs from 30th September to 3rd October, the Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH, Institute for Hotel Technology) will be arranging a series of talks aimed at the hotel industry that will address the latest developments and trends that are revolutionising the industry.
The series of talks will be given over the first three days of the fair (Monday 30th September, Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd October) in the presentations zone inside ‘Hotel Hábitat València’, the stunning installation whereby designer Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez will be recreating a cutting-edge hotel using the best Spain’s interiors industry has to offer.
The talks will be given by outstanding managers of leading hotel chains and other renowned professionals from the field of design, specifying and the contract business.
Whilst the participation of a few more professionals is still to be confirmed, Feria Hábitat València and the ITH itself have already put together the major part of the programme, with the talks slated to be one of the major attractions of this upcoming edition of Feria Hábitat València.
Monday 30th September: Design and technology in hotels, with the ITH’s TechYRoom project.
In this first session, the series of talks delves into the fascinating world of emerging technology and support robotics as applied to the hotel industry. The ITH TechYRoom Project launched by the Tourism Department of the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencia Regional Government), through Invat-tur, will analyse how these innovations are changing the client experience and helping promote the destination technologically. Attendees will find out how integrating advanced systems can optimize operational efficiency and provide guests with personalised service.
12.00 – Presentation: ‘Design and technology in hotels’.
· Tom Ito, Head of Gensler’s Hospitality.
12.30 – Panel discussion: Retirees, Robots and more. The curious case of the ITH TechYRoom 1.0 Project’. Panelists:
· Olivia Estrella, head of Tourist Innovation, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana.
· Pablo Hernández, managing director, RH Hoteles.
· Xavier García, CEO, Robottions.
· Leire Bilbao, managing director, Visit Benidorm.
Moderator: Beatriz Heras, head of digital Change, ITH.
Tuesday 1st October: ‘Experience makers’ and designing ‘WOW’ hotels.
This session will explore the secrets behind the hotels whose ‘WOW’ factor design amazes and stuns their guests, and the work of the ‘experience makers’ who are the key to creating unforgettable rooms. The session will reveal the distinguishing features that make every visit a unique experience, delivering practical strategies to implement in a range of areas, from architecture to marketing and product management.
12.00 – Presentation: ‘The WOW Effect in hotels: design strategies to stun guests with’.
12.30 – Panel discussion: ‘WOW and Experience Makers’. Panellists:
· José Manuel Picó, humanist and architect, Espacios Maestros.
· Araceli Budía Cabeza, Global Digital & Guest Experience Manager, Palladium Hotel Group.
· Juan Pons, CEO, Point.
Wednesday 2nd: Sustainable hotel comfort and design.
Sustainability is more than a trend; it is a necessity. At this edition of the fair, we will be taking an in-depth look at how architectural design and sustainable technologies are shaping the future of hotels, and how both are an ever-greater factor in guests’ decision making. Attendees will learn about best practices and innovative solutions for creating spaces that are not just comfortable and attractive but are also environmentally friendly.
The session will show attendees how sustainability can become an element of added value that makes a hotel stand out in a market that is increasingly aware of environmental impact.
12.00 – Presentation: ‘Hotel design and sustainability’
· Héctor Ruiz, architect, Studio Ruiz Velázquez
12.30 – Panel discussion: ‘A hotel’s sustainability and its surroundings: the positive impact of hotels. Sustainable practices and Social Responsibility.’ Panellists:
· Francesca Heathcote Sapey, partner. Teresa Sapey & Partners (the Architecture of Experiential ROI).
· Belén Juárez, head of Sustainability at Barcelo Hotels & Resorts.
· Víctor Monzón, CEO, Bioscore.
· Mayte García Córcoles, general secretary, HOSBEC.
Moderator: Elena Fraile, editor, ‘Con l de Inmobiliario’ (‘P for Property’) and ‘Clase Business’ (Business Class) at Radio Intereconomía.
*Programme subject to last-minute change.
A unique offering drawing an international audience
From 30th September to 3rd October, Feria Valencia will be hosting the leading fairs for the furniture, lighting, decorating, home textiles and kitchen equipment trades. Feria Hábitat València, Textilhogar Home Textiles Premium y Espacio Cocina SICI constitute the foremost showcase for the home and contract sectors – a large-scale event that draws large numbers of both Spanish and international visitors. The highly successful formula comprises more than 90,000 square metres of exhibition space, with 48,000 professionals visiting from 70 countries.
