Event Takes Place 10-13 November 2020 at the Forte Village Resort in Sardinia, Italy

LONDON, Jan. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s SIBEC Europe 2020 brings Europe’s major operators from the Health, Fitness and Leisure markets to meet with leading international suppliers to build new business relationships and learn about profitable business strategies. The event is scheduled for 10-13 November 2020 at the Forte Village Resort in Sardinia, Italy.

SIBEC Europe will host 85 senior executives from the Health, Fitness and Leisure markets such as Nuffield Health, David Lloyd Leisure and SATS as well as 130 international suppliers such as Technogym, Gladstone and Pavigym.

The event’s location provides an intimate, results-oriented business setting, optimised to deliver maximum results. Prior to the event, each buyer and supplier has the opportunity to pre-select the companies they would like to meet with and SIBEC Europe strategically matches companies according to their preferences for a series of pre-scheduled face-to-face one-on-one meetings. Through a well-balanced networking programme, delegates also have the opportunity to spend time with their peers and prospective clients during offsite activities, coffee breaks, meals and receptions.

David Zarb Jenkins, Event Director for SIBEC Europe, said “Following record attendance and a very successful event in Malta, we are extremely excited to be taking the 24th annual SIBEC Europe event to the Forte Village Resort in Sardinia. This iconic property is the definition of style and luxury and is the perfect platform for delegates to conduct business away from the pressures of the office. SIBEC has facilitated over 50,000 meetings over the years between international suppliers and Europe’s most prominent fitness operators. Choosing exotic locations enhances the SIBEC experience and sets the tone for great networking and everlasting friendships. Ultimately people do business with people they like and we firmly believe SIBEC forms those friendships which translate into business.”  

“As we try to balance increasingly busy work schedules, I continue to find that SIBEC Europe provides me with the perfect opportunity to meet new and existing suppliers in a focused environment, which maximises the opportunity for both buyers and suppliers. It is always great to catch up with colleagues in a relaxed and informal environment. I would highly recommend SIBEC to any prospective buyers,” said Jason Stanton, Mytime Active.

To learn more about SIBEC Europe, visit: https://www.sibeceu.com/

To apply for a hosted buyer place at SIBEC Europe, click here.

To register as a supplier for SIBEC Europe, click here.

Stay connected to SIBEC Europe on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Questex
At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behavior and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place. 

Media Contact
Chris Rivers
Marketing Manager
SIBEC Europe
+44 208 075 9731
crivers@questex.com

NEW YORK, Jan. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lisa Tanzer, President of Life is Good, will deliver an intimate keynote, “Life is Good, the power of optimism” during Questex’s HOTEC Design 2020 on Monday, June 29 at 9:00am at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Miami, Florida.

“We are in one of the fastest evolving industries in the world, and it is up to us to not only keep up but also set the trends,” said Mary Malloy, Event Director of HOTEC Design. “The keynote is going to offer both buyers and suppliers a new perspective on how to harness the power of relationship building to grow their own brands and businesses.”

Tanzer will discuss her journey, which led to her current role as President of Life is Good, a $100 million lifestyle brand. Part inspiration and part practical advice, she will shed light on how the power of relationships defined her success and demonstrate how attendees can unlock their true potential through their relationships. Tanzer will also share lessons on the power and profitability of Optimism and its role in building a meaningful brand while also doing good in the world.

“Throughout my career and most notably at Life is Good, I’ve seen how optimism can empower us to explore the world with open arms and an eye toward solutions, progress, and growth,” said Tanzer. “I’m so excited to share these lessons on optimism, many of which we learned from our customers, with the vibrant HOTEC community.”

Tanzer has dedicated her career to building brands and teams with compassion – from The Gillette Company, Hasbro, and Staples, to various start-ups in Children’s Entertainment. Today, as the President of Life is Good, Tanzer is responsible for growing the business while delivering the simple, yet powerful message of optimism.

HOTEC Design takes place June 28-30, 2020 at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, ranked the number one resort in Florida by Condé Nast Traveler. The keynote is open to all buyers and suppliers. To learn more about becoming a supplier or hosted buyer at HOTEC Design, visit hotecdesign.com.

About Questex LLC
At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behavior and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place.

HOTEC DESIGN MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Osborne
Questex
mosborne@questex.com
617.219.8305

Heather Mikesell Takes the Helm as Editor-in-Chief of American Spa

NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With a new year and decade on the horizon, Questex’s American Spa, the spa and wellness authority, is poised to capitalize on its position as the top choice for spa and wellness professionals looking to better their businesses. For more than two decades, the brand has provided wellness leaders and decision-makers the news, business advice, research, trends, and more to help them nurture and scale their operations. An annual award winner for exceptional editorial and design, American Spa magazine has grown to include a dynamic website, multiple newsletters, engaging social media content, and popular industry events, such as the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conferences (IECSC); SPATEC, the industry’s number-one hosted buyer event; and Impact CBD Expo, which debuts in August.

In the new year, executive editor Heather Mikesell will take the helm as editor-in-chief, building on the brand’s legacy of delivering award-winning content that helps spa and wellness professionals nurture and grow their businesses. A long-time veteran of the American Spa team, Mikesell takes over from Julie Keller Callaghan, who is leaving to pursue other wellness-related opportunities. Keller Callaghan will continue her relationship with American Spa with editor-at-large projects.

“Over the past two decades, I’ve watched the spa and wellness industry grow to become an integral part of our daily lives,” says Mikesell. “I’m looking forward to sharing the stories that are impacting the industry and helping our American Spa audience tackle the challenges that affect their businesses.”

Thanks to its expansive reach, American Spa has created a robust social media presence with more than 95,000 followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, connecting industry members to a vibrant community. It delivers the information spa and wellness professionals need with a variety of newsletters, such as Medical Spa Report and Spa Scoop, delivered straight to their inboxes. Readers can also gain insight on the experiences of other spa directors in the industry with the brand’s Spa Talk interviews, discover the trending treatments estheticians are raving about with American Spa’s esthetician’s channel, and benefit from tips and tools for improving their businesses with Business Builder articles contributed each month from industry insiders. Through its award-winning print publication, easy-to-navigate website, popular industry events, and engaging podcasts, webinars, and videos, American Spa is bringing spa and wellness professionals more of what they’ve come to love from the trusted brand in 2020. 

About Questex
At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behavior and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place. 

Contact:          
Jordan Tielmann
(212) 895-8228
jtielmann@questex.com

Electronics Industry Influencer Karen Field to Focus on Delivering World-Class Content and Programs that Drive Audience Engagement and New Revenue Stream

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex today announces that electronics industry content creator and strategist Karen Field has joined the company as Group Content Director, Technology for the FierceElectronics and Sensors Conference & Expo brands.

In this newly created position, Field will lead the content development and strategy for FierceElectronics, a news and information source for design engineers and engineering management, covering the business and technology aspects related to the entire electronics industry. Field will also oversee the programming for the Sensors Conference & Expo brands, North America’s premier event focused exclusively on sensors and sensor-integrated systems, taking place June 22-24, 2020 in San Jose.

A former design engineer with a Mechanical Engineering degree and MBA, Field brings more than 20 years of experience working in the electronics information services industry at Informa, UBM and Reed Business Information to develop content for a diverse audience of business technical professionals. Field is known for challenging conventional thinking and taking a novel approach to the creation of highly engaging and actionable editorial and live event/conference programming. She is also skilled at creating synergies between media and events to drive registration and engagement.

“This is the perfect time to bring someone of Karen’s caliber on to our team, as the Questex Technology portfolio is thriving across both events and media and our audience has expressed a strong desire for quality editorial,” said Kevin Gray, Publisher, Technology Group. “Karen is a talented editor and leader with a strong understanding of the information needs of the engineering community. Her creativity and innovative thinking will help us deepen our engagement with that audience.” Field will report to Gray.

Field joins Questex from Informa where she was most recently the Executive Director, Content, for the Infrastructure Intelligence Group. Field oversaw content teams within the Design Engineering and Sourcing, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, and Energy and Buildings verticals. In this position, her leadership on content strategy helped to more than double content marketing group revenues in three years. Field also served as content lead for the launch of the IoT Institute brand and Content Lead for Electronic Design’s online educational Bootcamp series.

Prior, she held several senior management positions at UBM. Her last position was Senior Vice President, Editorial Director at UBM Tech, where she led a team of editors for its three major electronics industry brands EE Times, EDN and the Embedded System Conference (ESC). Among her many achievements, Field led the transition of EE Times from a purely staff-written model to a community model and increased ESC conference revenue and attendance by creating exciting new programs.

Field is a strong advocate for women in engineering and supports STEM education, most notably having spearheaded the launch of Innovation Generation, a website targeting the makers in K-12 classrooms.

Earlier in her career, Field was Vice President, Editorial Director at Reed Business Information where she led a team of editors for the electronics brands – Design News, EDN and Test & Measurement World.

Contact Field via email at kfield@questex.com or follow her on Twitter @karenfield.

About Questex
At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behavior and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place. 

Media Contact
Kevin Gray
Publisher, Technology Group
Questex
kgray@questex.com

Acquires the Live Experience Assets (including Live Design), Club Industry and World Tea Expo

NEW YORK, Dec. 03, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s mission is to create a world-class information services business by advancing companies who help people live longer, healthier and better lives through the Experience Economy.

Today, Questex announces it is acquiring the Live Experience assets including Live Design, Club Industry and World Tea Expo. The acquired portfolio aligns perfectly with Questex’s focus on the Experience Economy, and will join the Company’s other assets focused on the Hospitality industry. 

“The Experience Economy is here. Companies driven by ‘experiences’ have a competitive advantage with business growth. In fact, they grow four times faster than companies that don’t embrace the Experience Economy,” said Paul Miller, CEO, Questex. “Research shows that 74 percent of consumers prioritize experiences over products or things. The customer experience has taken over from price and product features as the key brand differentiator because individuals want to participate in meaningful work completed on their own timetables. As businesses compete for the attention of customers, experiences become a unique selling point.”

Questex’s Hospitality market portfolio includes properties such as the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), Nightclub & Bar and the SIBEC Sports & Health Industry event.

The Live Experience and World Tea assets complement Questex’s Restaurant & Bar portfolio. Research shows that tailwinds are boosting the restaurant industry with food-service expenditures growing at 6.4 percent a year and tea market growth in the food service, specialty and the ready to drink markets align with the expansion of Questex’s Restaurant & Bar portfolio. In addition, lighting and design creates experiences in nightclubs and bars along with other experience venues making Live Design (LDI) a perfect fit with Questex’s Nightclub & Bar focus.

The Club Industry assets fit with Questex’s SIBEC Sports & Health Industry event as well as the hosted buyer environments Questex delivers in this market. Consumer experiences such as events and activities, spectator sports, membership clubs and sports centers are fast-growing, while expenditures on membership and sporting clubs are also growing strongly.

The Live Experience assets also include the rights to the XLive brands including the XLive Esports Summit and the WFX Network.

For additional information on Questex, visit www.questex.com.

About Questex
At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behavior and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place.

Media Contact
Kate Spellman
Chief Marketing Officer
Questex
kspellman@questex.com
(212) 895-8488

Offers One-to-One Meetings and Networking Opportunities for Meeting and Event-Planning Professionals and Incentive Buyers

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s 11^th annual Caribbean & Mexico Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE), the essential event for networking, growing and maximizing Caribbean and Mexican meeting, incentives, conferencing and exhibition (MICE) business, will take place at Atlantis Paradise Island, the Bahamas from October 26-29, 2020.

“The Bahamas and Nassau Paradise Island represent an ideal location for meetings organized by North American planners for so many reasons,” said Bryan Gay, Senior Vice President of Sales, Atlantis Paradise Island. “Among them, the non-stop flights from numerous U.S. and Canadian airports, the sophisticated entertainment and nightlife options, as well as the fact that English is spoken in the Bahamas.”

The event, held in partnership with the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), will feature culturally immersive activities and receptions. Additionally, CMITE is the only event in this market to offer private, one-to-one pre-scheduled appointments in deluxe hotel rooms. In two and a half days, CMITE connects pre-qualified, fully hosted, North American meeting planners and incentive buyers with leading Caribbean and Mexican suppliers to cultivate meaningful industry relationships.

“All of us in The Islands of The Bahamas, and particularly Nassau Paradise Island, are delighted to have Caribbean & Mexico Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE) return to our beautiful destination. If crystal-blue seas, soft sand and island comforts piqued your interest in Nassau Paradise Island, you’ll be thrilled to know that planning a meeting here can be as carefree as the getaway,” said George Brice, Vice President, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. “With an array of resorts and hotels suitable for accommodating groups of any size and state-of-the-art meeting facilities with multiple venues, and taking into account the proximity to the U.S. (less than an hour off the coast of south Florida), Nassau Paradise Island will be showcasing the very best options for incentive and corporate meetings.”

Questex Travel Group’s MICE events have proven to be successful with their one-to-one meetings, top-of-the-line training and networking opportunities for meeting and event-planning professionals as well as incentive buyers.

For the latest event information on CMITE, visit https://www.cmiteevent.com/.

About Questex
At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behavior and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place.

CONTACT
Katie Zandonella
Marketing Director
Questex Travel Group
212.895.8262
kzandonella@questex.com

The New International Beauty Show Takes Place March 8-10, 2020 in New York City; Registration Now Open

NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s The Beauty Experience New York (NY.TheBeautyExperience.com), an innovative live experience which brings beauty professionals together as a community, was created by merging two industry legends – American Salon and The International Beauty Show. Today, The Beauty Experience announces registration is open. The event takes place March 8-10, 2020 at the Javits Center in New York City. To register to attend, click here.

Beauty professionals can attend The Beauty Experience New York event and connect with its digital platform at TheBeautyExperience.com to create a year-round beauty experience. Unlike traditional search and click websites and mobile apps, TheBeautyExperience.com enables beauty professionals to create personalized feeds to simplify their salon life by choosing the “beauty tags” they want to follow, optimizing their event experience, delivery of videos, blogs, articles and more.

“We’re excited to offer the next evolution in the beauty industry at The Beauty Experience New York – the new International Beauty Show,” said Andrew Amill, Vice President, Questex’s Beauty and Wellness Group. “The show brings together thousands of salon owners, hairdressers, men’s groomers, estheticians, makeup artists, students, distributors and manufacturers to share ideas, learn, network and keep the industry moving forward. And now with our new digital platform we’re able to continue the conversation throughout the year. We look forward to seeing the artists that inspire and drive the industry in March.”

The Beauty Experience New York boasts more than 500 beauty brands on the show floor. Exhibitors offer products and tools along with in-booth education on hair cutting, styling and coloring, nails, makeup, salon equipment and furniture, point of sale and finance and more.

The Show Floor offers unique product experiences and unparalleled education from top artists in the industry:

• BarberShop & Barber Competitions: Now in its second year, the BarberShop hosts top-notch education from some of the most renowned artists in barbering. In addition, some of the most talented barbers in the industry will battle-it-out during four exciting competitions.
• Beauty from Within Supplement Station: Explore and find new supplements for skin, hair and nails to add to your salon menu along with exciting ways to increase revenue through quality ingredients.
• Nail Marketplace: Find the best-of-the-best nail products used by prominent influencers including durable, reliable nail filers and a sable of reusable brushes.
• Makeup Counter: Dive deep into the world of makeup by discovering new luxury products.
• Business Guides: Find all the essential tools required to build a brand in the digital age, including the latest technology and apps.
• View from My Chair: Step through the doors of The Beauty Experience salon, take a seat and get a tutorial on the latest application trends and techniques.
• HairShop Stage: Legendary artists will give insight into their coveted techniques while inspiring and motivating audiences.

The Beauty Experience New York offers an unrivaled education program featuring veteran and new artists who will help attendees take their careers to the next level. For an additional fee, attendees can register for business-building workshops which offer an in-depth experience and feature marketing and branding, social media and life-skill development. Hands-on Workshops offer a tactile experience in hair cutting, styling, coloring, extensions and makeup. In addition, more than 100 classes are included with the Expo Hall Pass. These classes are organized into five tracks:

• Hair: Take your career and business to the next level with the latest techniques in hair styling, cutting, coloring, extensions, hair loss and barbering classes.
• Business Building: Market and build your business with proven systems that boost profits while also increasing customer retention and developing a successful team.
• Makeup & Personal Care: Learn the latest makeup, eyelash and brow enhancing techniques that will allow you to take on more clients in less time while building your profits.
• Tools & Tech: Explore the best products and tools to beautify and enhance your styling and cutting techniques to produce trending looks, happy clients and more money.
• Nails: Discover cutting-edge nail enhancement techniques that will build your bottom line and help you satisfy and retain clients.

Attendees rave about the event. “Fantastic show. There was an amazing amount of education offered in classrooms, live stages and booth demos. The show was truly inspiring and motivating,” said Nijee Roberts, Beauty Buyer.

The Beauty Experience New York is dedicated to supporting the next generation of professionals shaping the future of the market. The Beauty School Program, taking place on March 10, is designed for students to get insight into the world of beauty through learning opportunities on the show floor and classroom. On Student Day, students access classes geared toward techniques and developing a career after graduation. In addition, classes for instructors and school officials are also offered. Beauty schools are required to bring a minimum of ten students in order to participate in Student Day.

To learn more about The Beauty Experience New York, visit: NY.TheBeautyExperience.com. Attendees can purchase the new All Access Expo Pass starting at $99 before March 1, 2020. To view Workshops and Expo Hall Packages, click here. The Beauty Experience New York ticket also gains attendees free admission to the largest spa show in New York, IECSC: International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference – The Spa and Wellness Show.

To sign up for The Beauty Experience, digital platform, visit: TheBeautyExperience.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Andrew Amill, at AAmill@questex.com. For additional information on The Beauty School Program contact, beny@xpressreg.net     

Stay connected with The Beauty Experience on Facebook and Instagram. 

About Questex
At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behavior and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place.

Media Contact
Michelle Osborne
Director, Event Marketing & Audience Conversion
The Beauty Experience New York
T: 617.219.8305  
E: mosborne@questex.com

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Building on the success, credibility and respect of Questex’s International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) accrued over the last 20 years, IHIF launches Adjacent Spaces, a bold new pop-up event for hospitality’s innovators and game-changers.

Adjacent Spaces will be held at The Pullman Hotel, Berlin on Tuesday 3^rd March 2020 and will discuss adjacent concepts including; hostels, co-living, co-working, student accommodation, serviced apartments and senior living.

As the hospitality sector continues to evolve and expand, this highly focussed event will gather alternative hospitality asset brands, investors, brokers, law firms, consultants, designers and architects to meet, talk, exchange ideas, share knowledge and shape the future of the industry.

Alexi Khajavi, Managing Director of EMEA Hospitality + Travel Group, Questex said: “IHIF is the hub that connects the international hospitality community. It has done this with incredible success for the past 20 years and will carry on doing so for the next 20 and beyond. Our connectivity to the industry also allows us vital insight into the shifting trends and changing investment habits. Adjacent Spaces is a new project but built on an established and world-leading event platform that enables agile thinking, fresh conversations and deep relationships with the leaders, pioneers, challengers and disruptors.

We exist to be the global voice of authority in hospitality investment. We must lead the way and set the precedent for events, information and experience. Adjacent Spaces will embody the new generation of professional enterprise whilst keeping real people and human connectivity at its core.”

The programme for Adjacent Spaces will include:

Opening Talk: Hospitality Trends Beyond the Hotel Room
An overview of the adjacent spaces market and opportunities for hospitality investors.

Adjacent Opportunities: The Investors’ View
Why are investors looking into alternative hospitality assets, and which ones are presenting the best opportunities?

Lenders Learn to Love Adjacent Spaces
Debt sources and structures for the alternative assets

Case study interview on development, opening and operation to transaction

The Evolution of the European Student Housing Market

Co-Working and Hospitality: how to make it work?
Offices spaces are experiencing a ‘hotelification’ trend while hotel lobbies have become informal working spaces: how can hotels best approach the co-working trend and generate profits?

Senior Living: Active versus Healthcare
How professional operators can deliver reliability and profits while minimizing the risk to take advantage of the massive ageing market? What segment of the market to target?

Co-Living and the Serviced Apartment: Disruption or Evolution?
As an innovative accommodation concept, is co-living likely to disrupt the serviced apartment concept? How can serviced apartment companies adapt to this demand? Is it worth the investment?

Growing Appeal: How the Hostel Market is Diversifying and Maturing
Hostels are no longer the reserve of backpackers: new hostel brands are offering something from everyone, from low-budget groups to discerning travellers looking for better design on a budget. What’s the investment opportunity, and is this maturing market getting better at meeting the needs of investors?

Knowing Which Side Your Bread Is Buttered
Leisure, pubs and restaurants are not for the faint of heart but they are where your customers are at. How to take advantage of the leisure market without getting sick, maybe you can have your cake and eat it too!

For more information on Adjacent Spaces click here.

Editors notes:

About Questex

At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behaviour and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place.

Press relations – IHIF	Sponsorship enquiries – IHIF
Emily Newman	Tess Pearson
+44 (0)7771 686202	+44 (0)1372 466579
enewman@questex.com	tess.pearson@questex.com

The land of milk and honey offers opportunities across the hospitality real estate investment eco-system

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Israel prepares to host the second Israel Hotel Investment Summit (IHIS), part of Questex’s International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) series, we consider the current conditions in the region’s hospitality market, the indisputable strengths of the buoyant market and the challenges that must be addressed for a sustained, strong performance.

The data is impressive and largely speaks for itself: tourism in Israel is booming. Overnight stays increased in July and August 2019 by 5% – a total of 1.66 million overnight stays – compared to the same period last year. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv were the most popular destinations netting 33% and 31% of overnight stays, respectively. Taking a broader view across the year from January to August, tourist arrivals to Israel increased by approximately 10% compared with 2018. Travel for religious purposes remains the highest motivating factor with backpackers and family travellers arriving in increasing numbers.

According to German travel site, OMIO, Tel Aviv is ranked as the third most expensive city in the world for tourists, behind Hong Kong and London. This real, as well as perceived expense, is harmful as international travellers consider their destination options. This unwelcome accolade also impacts domestic tourism as Israelis regularly choose to travel outside their country for a better value tourism experience.

Demand drivers are essential for a sustainable tourism destination and form an integral part of an intelligent tourism strategy. Whilst the Ministry of Tourism has set the ambitious target of welcoming 5 million tourists by the end of 2019 (2.6 million tourist entries had been recorded as of August 2019), there remains neglect of a number of tourist sites across the country which should be addressed and rectified in order to add to the plethora of attractions for tourists visiting Israel.

Alexi Khajavi, Managing Director, EMEA & Chair, Questex Hospitality Group said; “The Israeli hotel investment market occupies a healthy position but also one of considerable opportunity. The strong tourist figures and ambitious targets set by the Ministry of Tourism provide a robust platform but there is also the demand for budget and mid-level offerings that is turning the heads of international operators and investors. Coupled with the thirst for a design led offering that is also permeating into the hostel markets, there is plenty for the industry to debate and discuss. We’re delighted to be hosting the Israel Hotel Investment Summit for a second year and look forward to bringing the leaders, pioneers, challengers and disruptors from across the industry together in Tel Aviv next month.”

Israel Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said: “I welcome IHIS, the most important conference in its field in Israel, which will contribute to increased momentum in hotel development and increased competition in the industry.”

Israel is one of the oldest countries and civilizations in the world, but beyond the country’s cultural and religious importance is a traveller’s paradise. For all of Israel’s allure, there remains a lack of accommodation and therefore opportunities for successful investment. For more information on the Israel Hotel Investment Summit (IHIS) taking place on the 20^th and 21^st November at the Hilton Tel Aviv, please visit https://www.israelhotelinvest.com/.

Editors notes:

About Questex

At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behaviour and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place. 

Contacts

Operations Coralie Swain cswain@questex.com

Press Emily Newman enewman@questex.com

Sponsorship Jack Hall jhall@questex.com

LONDON, Nov. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex Hospitality Group today announced the appointment of Katherine Doggrell as the new Editor in Chief for the EMEA region.

Previously Perspectives Editor at Hotel Analyst, Doggrell is a highly-respected journalist and author with over 15 years’ experience in the hotel sector. During her career, she has worked for publications including the Financial Times, The Guardian, Q, Mojo and Business 2.0. She is also the author of Checking Out: What the Rise of the Sharing Economy Means for the Future of the Hotel Industry, to be published by Bloomsbury in January 2020.

As Editor in Chief, Questex Hospitality, EMEA, Doggrell’s role will include reporting and analysing breaking news from across the hospitality industry, interviewing senior figures for insight and intelligence and providing commentary and thought leadership on sector trends, movements and transactions.

In addition, Doggrell will provide in-depth insights from and lead panels at Questex’s prominent European portfolio of events including the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), the recently held Mediterranean Resort & Hotel Real Estate Forum (MR&H), the Annual Hotel Conference (AHC), the Israel Hotel Investment Summit (IHIS) as well as the bold new pop-up event for hospitality’s evolution into other real estate classes – Adjacent Spaces which will be launching at IHIF Berlin on Tuesday, 3^rd of March 2020.

Commenting on joining the team, Doggrell said: “I am thrilled to be joining Questex Hospitality at a time when the hotel sector is growing in prominence in the eyes of investors and building its role in the wider economy. There has never been a more fascinating time to cover the market, at the events attended by its key players.”

Alexi Khajavi, Managing Director of EMEA, Questex said: “We are naturally delighted to welcome Katherine to the team. Her in-depth market knowledge, long-standing connections and sharp journalistic acumen make her a valuable asset to our world-leading hospitality platform particularly at a time when we continue to grow and evolve with new investors attending IHIF for the first time as the sector attracts new capital and specialized hotel investors and operators bring their skills to real estate assets like student housing, senior care and co-working.”

Doggrell can be reached via email at kdoggrell@questex.com.

Editors notes:

About Questex

At Questex, we are passionate about driving business outcomes. We connect buyers and sellers and help both achieve their goals. We are online, on devices and live with experiential engagements. We understand the buyer’s behaviour and evolving needs and connect them with the seller through continual touchpoints. From discovery through purchase and purchase through advocacy, we supply unmatched access, insight, engagement and turnkey solutions all in one place.

Press Relations

Emily Newman

+44 (0)7771 686202

enewman@questex.com