This lighthearted and theatrical session explores the intricacies of resort development with performances from the many stakeholders involved. The central character, a land owner, investigates the opportunities and challenges of developing a resort through a series of encounters with various stakeholders.

As resorts continue to grow in popularity, with guests and investors alike, providing the opportunity for a spacious and isolated retreat, we review some of the In Focus conversations with operators, owners, advisors and investors who are active in the sector and share their opinions on what’s next for Resorts & Residential.

A financier lets her mind wander as she tries to decide whether to invest in a Mediterranean or an Arctic resort. Relive this entertaining and interaction session as she assesses the key investment criteria and considers the outcomes of each proposal. 

We caught up with George Campanellas, CEO at Invest Cyprus, in advance of the upcoming webinar on the 10th September. A destination that has proven it can manage even the most challenging of situations, a global pandemic, as it continues to offer strong opportunities for both local and international investors. The webinar will focus on the major trends that have been pushing the hospitality real estate market forward and are set to gain strength as economies and travel recover. In particular, resorts and mixed-use developments in well-connected destinations such as Cyprus, an exciting and resilient market. 

This week on In Focus Julie Rey-Gore, Content Director at Questex Hospitality & Travel, sat down with María Zarraluqui. Global development MD at Meliá Hotels International, to discuss areas of development for the group, why leisure and resorts are leading their recovery, rumours of consolidation and her views on the trends that will have the most longevity after the crisis. Not to be missed!

The R&R Advisory Board met virtually on the 24th February to discuss the major trends leading to the recovery of the leisure hospitality sector.  In a meeting hosted by Alexi Khajavi, Mark Cheney, and Julie Rey-Gore, the panel shared their insights on the new travel and development trends, investor sentiment and stakeholder alignment in the new landscape. The overall feeling was one of strong fundamentals in the sector, in which partnerships are increasingly important but where cautiousness must remain. 

So what kind of tourism will emerge after the pandemic? Alexi Khajavi and Patrick Whyte are discussing the return of tourism and travel with a focus on Greece. This week we were joined by Georgios Filiopoulos, CEO of trade and investment agency, Enterprise Greece. 

Greece is internationally recognised for premium holiday appeal with many opportunities for international investment.  Enterprise Greece, a trade and investment agency, supports international investors before project realisation, during project implementation and offer tailer-made after-care services. They also identify and propose investment opportunities in key sectors of the economy, particularly in tourism and real estate.

The resort sector was already high on the radar of hospitality investors and has gained ever more attention as leisure travel is expected to lead the market’s recovery. Philip Bacon from Horwath HTL shares his thoughts on trends and innovation in resorts, guest expectations and the importance of the residential component.

This trend talk will look at travel trends from long-haul source markets such as the USA and Asia: profiles, requirements, intention to travel and more. 

An inside look at the R&R 2020 Advisory Board meeting