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Hospitality Business Review: Specials Magazine
Norbert Speth manages a family-owned European boutique group with city-centre properties in Frankfurt and Munich, where urban sophistication meets genuinely personal hospitality. Speth reached the role after three decades that carried him from the kitchens of Germany’s Black Forest to multi-property operations in Munich, corporate strategy in Frankfurt and the restaurant world. Under his leadership, the property’s restaurant Occhio d’Oro has been ranked among Germany’s top ten Italian restaurants by Falstaff. At Flemings Hotels, he has channelled that breadth into a single conviction. The most powerful experience a hotel can deliver is one a guest cannot quite describe. That belief and the results it has produced earned him recognition as Hotel General Manager of the Year in Europe 2026. A Journey That Chose Him as Much as He Chose It Speth left Cape Town without any intention of becoming a chef. Cooking was a passion, not a destination. He moved straight from South Africa to Germany’s Black Forest to complete a chef apprenticeship and time spent during that training in Harald Wohlfahrt’s three-Michelin-star kitchen set a standard at the very beginning of his career that he has never let go of From Germany, he went to the United States, spending close to two years in Atlanta at the W Hotel and working through food and beverage before managing both the restaurant and the bar. Task force work on openings in New York and Fort Lauderdale showed him what hospitality looks like across very different markets. He returned to Europe, worked through Cologne, Berlin and Zurich and stepped into his first general manager role at the Courtyard Hotel there, which led to overseeing sixteen properties in Munich for a Marriott franchise partner. Those years in strategy, development and the restaurant world added dimensions that a straight-line career never could. He arrived at Flemings Hotels thirty years in, ever once comfortable. That restlessness is exac
Corporate travel often feels routine; a checklist of familiar sights. But what if it could be more? What if it could create moments so extraordinary they linger in your memory forever?” These questions fuelled Alberto Neri, a seasoned travel industry visionary with over 30 years of experience, to establish Italia Connection—an international destination management company (DMC) dedicated to reimagining corporate travel. Italia Connection dares to go beyond sightseeing, curating experiences that inspire and leave an indelible mark. For corporate executives and employees alike, these tailored tours are more than travel—they are an opportunity to connect, reflect and be captivated. Consider the instance of the Sistine Chapel—one of the world’s most revered cultural landmarks. A visit to this iconic site is a staple on any DMC’s itinerary for Vatican City. But with Italia Connection, you experience it very differently. The company arranges private access before the chapel opens to the public. Picture stepping into this sacred space in the stillness of early morning, where the only sound is the soft echo of your footsteps. Sometimes, Italia Connection can even arrange the extraordinary honour of allowing visitors to illuminate the chapel’s lights. As the soft glow fills the room, Michelangelo’s frescoes spring to life in vivid detail—a breathtaking display that transforms an ordinary visit into a profound encounter with history. Such is the essence of Italia Connection— transforming routine corporate travel into once-ina-lifetime experiences. Whether forging deeper team connections, offering executives fresh inspiration or recognising top performers with an unforgettable reward, Italia Connection ensures every journey is as meaningful as it is extraordinary.
Capital Vacations is a full-service resort management company dedicated to supporting independent vacation ownership properties. With expertise spanning financial planning, operations, rental and sales and marketing, the company delivers tailored strategies designed to improve performance and ensure long-term stability. By collaborating with general managers, boards of directors and on-site teams, Capital Vacations provides customized solutions that honor each resort’s unique identity while strengthening its operations. Today, the company serves nearly 200 vacation ownership resorts across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Its support ranges from day-to-day operational guidance to robust revenue programs, including a competitive rental distribution network and a proven club sales platform. These initiatives convert underperforming intervals into active ownership, improve cash flow and help properties grow stronger and more resilient. A Partner Built for Independents Unlike large branded operators where the brand dictates the guest experience, Capital Vacations takes a different approach. Its model allows independent vacation ownership resorts to retain their individuality while benefiting from the operational and marketing capabilities of a major hospitality company. “In a brand environment, the brand comes first. In our model, the independent resort comes first, supported by the strength of Capital Vacations,” says Gary Hyde, Executive Vice President of Hospitality. Capital Vacations’ portfolio consists of vacation ownership resorts, giving the company a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this segment. Alongside core services such as reservations, financial management, administration and IT, the company distinguishes itself in two key areas: Rental Distribution: Through its proprietary global system and consumer-facing platform Vacation Escapes, combined with partnerships with leading online travel agencies, Capital Vacations helps resorts increase visibility, fill inventory and generate immediate rental revenue.
Mobile Bartending Services
Expectations in the event and hospitality industry continue to rise as clients look for service partners who can deliver creativity, precision and memorable guest experiences. THE BARTENDER COMPANY has been meeting these demands by offering premium mobile bar experiences that have earned the trust of private clients, corporates and global planners. The company distinguishes itself by customizing beverage programs to each client’s needs while maintaining consistency in execution. Every project is shaped by five core values that include reliability, client experience, positivity, quality and professionalism, which guide decisions and uphold a standard that keeps every event “above the bar.” “Whenever we have a difficult question or situation that we need to solve, we always return to these values for answers,” says Carlos Kronen, CEO. With nearly 20 years of experience, THE BARTENDER COMPANY has built its operations on a mindset of continuous improvement. After each event, lead bartenders record detailed summaries on guest feedback, supply efficiency and areas for refinement. These insights inform immediate updates and future planning, helping the team raise service levels with every engagement.
CXO INSIGHTS
Building Excellence in Food & Beverage Management and Hospitality Leadership
Sandro De Almeida Pimenta, Head Of Department F&B, Corinthia Hotels
The New Discipline of Hospitality Marketing Leadership
Philip Kelly-MIHI, Head of Sales and Marketing, Newpark Hotel Kilkenny part of the Flynn Hotel Collection
Building High-Performing F&B Teams during Peak Season Without Sacrificing Service Quality
Maikel Escribano, F&B Director, Aethos
Luxury as an Experience: A Cross-Functional Vision Of Hospitality
Isabel de Castro Ga-Rubio, Marketing & Communications Director, Hospes Hotels
Beyond Buzzwords: Rebuilding Trust in Local and Sustainable Hospitality
Jose Diogo Moreira, Director F&B, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
IN FOCUS
The Influence of Digital Media on European Hospitality Trends
European hospitality businesses are using digital media strategies to strengthen guest engagement, improve brand visibility and create more personalised experiences across markets.
Visual Storytelling: The Influence of Graphic Design on Hotel Branding in Europe
Properties with strong visual identities will continue to be a key differentiator in driving guest connections and expanding beyond the hotel experience.
EDITORIAL
Building Excellence through Hospitality Leadership
Hospitality is defined by the experience it creates, and that experience goes beyond the visible elements of a hotel or restaurant. Service standards, consistency and guest satisfaction are shaped by culture, leadership and the people delivering the experience every day. In this edition of Hospitality Business Review Europe, we examine how hospitality leaders are strengthening that foundation across hotel operations, guest experience and culinary excellence through clear standards, engaged teams and purposeful leadership.
Recognized as Hotel General Manager of the Year in Europe 2026, Norbert Speth, Managing Director at Flemings Hotels, has built his leadership around the belief that the strongest hotel experiences are felt rather than easily explained. His approach to people, operations and culture reflects a broader understanding of hospitality, where the quality of the guest experience is closely connected to the people and values shaping it. Speth invests heavily in people who show commitment, drive and passion, believing that an engaged core can raise standards across an entire property. His decision to establish an independent Experience Team also reflects a broader view of hospitality, one that considers employees, partners and suppliers alongside guests.
The issue also brings perspectives from leaders across the industry. Vasile Silviu Stroie, Hotel Director at Margaritaville at Sea, discusses the importance of visible leadership, clear communication and giving employees responsibility in a complex, multicultural operating environment. He argues that consistency comes from combining structure with the flexibility to make decisions close to the guest. James Willis, Executive Head of Culinary at The Stafford London, takes a similar people-first view from the kitchen, explaining how clear standards, calm leadership and a strong team culture create the consistency required for Michelin-level performance.
Great hospitality comes from leaders who set clear expectations, give their teams room to respond and understand that consistency is earned through everyday actions. We invite our readers to explore these perspectives and discover how thoughtful leadership and a strong culture continue to shape exceptional hospitality across Europe.
