How is the hospitality industry changing, what are the challenges posed to architects and designers by the new environment and the new client? We asked Sheila Lohmiller, CEO and Chris Tucker, President of NEWH - The Hospitality Industry Network, a historical partner of HostMilano with offices in the USA, UK, France, Italy and Canada.

“The United States is moving fast and activity has been increasing for a few months. Our design firms are hiring staff. Manufacturers are challenged by raw material limitations, logistics costs and delays in the delivery of imported components. Most companies continue to work in a hybrid remote-office way, and in September many will return to the office with limited scheduling. In the UK, France, Italy and Canada we perceive similar levels of activity, but we are proceeding more cautiously than the US in opening travel, manufacturing and offices, with the hospitality industry slowly returning to action. What unites the whole world is the enthusiasm to move forward".

The recent period has been challenging for hospitality, how is the sector responding?

The pandemic has led designers and architects to rethink the way they create hospitality spaces. Not just in terms of touchless systems, social distance signage and air filtration systems - interior design is also evolving as people seek to replace stress and anxiety with more relaxing and cheerful experiences. Manufacturers focus on greater sustainability, recycling, ease of cleaning, touchless solutions and UVC technology. All in all, these are positive changes for both people and our planet.

What future lies ahead for the hospitality industry?

As we see from the activities in the US the industry is recovering quickly. Due to social distancing, changes were made in lobbies, public areas and al fresco dinings during the pandemic. In our online events, over the past 15 months, many hotel chains and design companies have recalled that social distancing changes were temporary and the goal was to return to pre-COVID public spaces as soon as the situation allowed. The loss of many businesses in this period has prompted those who remained on the market to adapt through online offers, take away, outdoor dining. We predict that when the world gets through this moment the hybrid mode will still be used. I ordered the crystal ball on Amazon, but the delivery was delayed due to logistical issues, so I'm not sure I can offer more information until we experience this recovery!

The feeling, however, is that those who will be able to seize the opportunities will get an undeniable advantage from the recovery. What role does sustainability play in your opinion?

NEWH has a fantastic Education Team with dedicated members, some of them LEED and WELL certified. We share information and educate with the Green Voice and EDOnline programs, our website that shares and brings the spotlight on industry changes, products, prospects, procurement and the ownership’s acceptance of these programs. It was of great importance to involve WELL in the hospitality industry as it is a certification that focuses on the full extent of a building's health. With the pandemic and the obvious changes in global warming it is clear that the world is changing and each of us must do our part if we want to have a home for our children in the future.