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…and we are still talking COVID.

But what a year it has been – of so many learnings, great conversations, a lot of listening and sharing.

I am so humbled by the good which has come out, and by the trust received by clients as well as collaborators. Times are changing so much, and with working mostly from home (between desk, garden or dining table) – the location has not changed much in the last 12 months, but the desktop and my virtual window have kept me busy and well-connected. Meaningful networking and exchanges as well as workshops have been insightful and stimulated even the launch of the social entrepreneurship NeuSpace. Actively engaging with local matters, speaking at panels and hospitality school as well as becoming a member of WiH, is key for growth and influencing the future of the next hospitality generation.

I am blessed to spend a lot of time with my wonderful family – our little boy growing up so very fast, true quality time with my darling husband (…the date nights in the kitchen amongst other) and kindling friendships with locals. One could argue, why private life comes into this blog… well – it is a huge part of what I am and where I draw my energy from. Fabulous food, spending time in nature, enjoying some solitude to reflect – unplugging from the noise – is a needs must to be hungry for more life and more conversation.

Speaking to a MBA peer of mine, she suggested the roaring ’20s would be upon us when lock-downs will be over once and for all (she’s based out of Hongkong, and has been in that period since several months now). Where am I going with this…? We witness the change of society as we knew it, and with deep touching questions of human life and meaning are more at the forefront of our thinking (inclusivity, co-living, sustainability and overall equality…), it shapes of how we want to work, with whom and why as well as from where and at what intensity. If anything, 2020 has given the opportunity to pause, to breathe, to rebalance and to take stock…. albeit feeling and being busier than ever.

Change is painful – but in a good way. For me, it means to retain the roots, to grow just more branches – and that is something truly beautiful. Also embracing that it takes courage to stand ones ground, and to leap – to have faith and to believe in the best intent. The positive energy it takes to question the status quo – to be happy in the role of a disruptor and at the same time remaining a connector – is now an everyday occurrence.

Opportunities, destiny, luck – anyone’s guess… all I know is that COVID was a re-set & accelerate button (at the same time) for all of us. We had to grieve losses of all kinds. For the ones who have had to seek different paths – we mourn and will remember fondly.

I am very thankful…

For QANNIK having grown, enriched by wonderful people, collaborators, and ultimately projects… For those who opened their hospitality businesses again or for the 1st time, chapeau… For clients who trust, engage and share their business with us – We simply love to aid, to inspire, to transform and be part of the journey… For you having read this blog to the end … It was written whilst listening to Yo Yo Ma.

Have a wonderful day – be bold and kind!

…is a conversational topic being discussed by many over the last three months, and certainly on the forefront of my mind with crisis management and organising the erratic changing dynamics this Pandemic brought on many tourism sectors.

My outlook on life is that where there is a challenge, there must be an opportunity, and certainly learning from it.

We experience this incredible evolutionary step, which is connected with confusion, emotional turmoil and changes to the status quo. Hospitality was never before forced to take a 360 degree view of current practices. It grew gradually, and one may argue at times lacked behind other industries. It certainly had innovative ideas, but at its core it remained the same.

Post-COVID – when will that even be? Should we not rather refer to as post-Global Lock-Down? With the globe being impacted in waves, some were able to prepare better than others, and could learn from adopted practices.

Overall – I strongly feel we are entering the age of true care. It has been a trend to talk about company philosophy and cultures, where one cared about the environment, its people, the guests, the suppliers, the communities… and of course, there were and are true idealistic businesses out there who inspire and have been at the forefront of these practice for years.

But – hospitality has been in decline for quite some time in the eye of the new generations – seen as long, unsociable hours, low pay  – the profit margins been shrinking with overall costs rising.

So – Post-COVID is a real game-changer. It lets us all come closer together – in full transparency and relief to be returning to business.  Albeit we are in the same storm, we have to recognise we are not necessarily in the same boat. And I feel – we are much more alert and sensibilized to that now.

We coherently listen to new idea, we have an open mind – we have to accept the status quo – in order to survive (literally) , we have to stick to the rules. Not by choice, but out of responsibility towards our society and for our children. This makes it for a fabulous breeding ground – nurturing  and accepting different view points, and to a certain extend accepting to experiment. No one has found the perfect answer yet – and some have come up with what feels like the closest thing to the real deal.

It is exhilarating – and exhausting – learning new things, and at the same time having to juggle all other life changing elements – but in hospitality – like in no other industry, all of those come together.

Our guests will share their stories, and literally trust us with their lives. They always have in some way, when they rested peacefully at night under the watchful eye of our Night teams, enjoying the food our restaurants made, playing in our pools – I could go on….But it was not as critical and conscious as now.

And lets not forget one important key factor – hospitality represents fun, escapism, socialising and culture. It is the one area no matter where one is on Earth, it is the same. And with this great privilege – Hospitality Post-COVID is returning stronger, more resilient and certainly ready to enthuse the next generation of hoteliers and restaurateurs.  We are catching up fast on new technology, which not long ago seemed novel. We join the roots with the future – and hospitality is living proof that everything is possible.

An industry I would choose to work for any day – again and again.