The Phocuswright Conference 2021 - five questions for accommodation executives

The Phocuswright Conference is coming up November 15 to 17, with its usual wide array of speakers, events and networking.

Ahead of some of the key sessions on Center Stage, PhocusWire is outlining some of the main areas for discussion for the program's executives and panels.

A panel this year, focusing on accommodation, features the following guests:

• Noah Brodsky, president at Travel+Leisure Group and chief brand officer at Travel+Leisure
• Vered Raviv Schwarz, president and chief operating officer at Guesty
• Sam Shank, CEO at HotelTonight and head of guest experiences at Airbnb
• Chris Silcock, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Hilton

Five questions for the accommodation executives:

1. Is the mid-pandemic surge in interest around alternative accommodation a trend for the long-term?
2. What can traditional hospitality providers and alternative accommodation operators learn from one another about customer service and experience?
3. Does the panel agree that consumers are increasingly seeing a blurring of the lines between the different accommodation types, especially when using online travel agencies?
4. Other than a return to pandemic-led travel restrictions, what are the biggest threats to growth in alternative accommodations and hotels?
5. Do hotels have an advantage over alternative accommodation providers when it comes to upselling and cross-selling ancillary products?