Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Shiji Group, the global hospitality technology leader that helps hotels streamline operations and transform guest experiences.
Today, we’re learning from Michiel Bakker, President and CEO of The Culinary Institute of America.
The Big Idea: Food and beverage (F&B) programs are the ultimate tools for creating personalized guest experiences, offering flexibility and multisensory engagement that rooms alone cannot achieve.
Why It Matters: During his tenure as a leader at Starwood Hotels, Michiel saw firsthand how F&B could define a brand’s identity. For instance, W Hotels focused on providing a creative, energetic vibe, while Westin focused on health and wellness. F&B allows hotels to craft emotional connections with guests, leading to loyalty and return visits.
F&B isn’t just about the food—it’s about the setting, the sound, the design, and the service.
Want more? Listen to Michiel talk more about this today on the Hospitality Daily Podcast (available on Spotify or Apple Podcasts)
Today’s Takeaway: Evaluate your F&B spaces. Ask yourself: does the atmosphere align with your brand’s identity? Identify one sensory element (lighting, music, or design) you could improve to enhance the guest experience.
Think Ahead: How can you scale personalized guest interactions through F&B? Consider developing signature dining concepts that align with your brand values, ensuring consistency across locations while leaving room for local flair.
Scroll down for more resources to help you with this…
A MESSAGE FROM SHIJI GROUP
Watch Now: The Future of Hotel Tech - Integration, AI, and Guest Experience
Just like you aim to deliver seamless guest experiences, your technology stack should work effortlessly behind the scenes. But are your systems working together as efficiently as they could?
Learn from industry experts from Pro-Invest Group, Pertlink, and Shiji Group as they reveal:
Why the “ultimate tech stack” looks different for every hotel
How to balance AI innovation with practical implementation
What successful hotels are doing to measure the effectiveness of technology
Whether you're evaluating your current systems or planning future technology investments, this candid discussion will help you navigate the evolving landscape of hotel technology.
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Thank you for reading.
-Josiah
