Forbes Travel Guide hosted its biggest-ever Summit and first in Europe in Monaco in late February, bringing together more than 750 of the most elite leaders in hospitality, travel and luxury, from 90 countries.
“This year marks a major milestone for Forbes Travel Guide,” said Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, “It’s our 67th annual awards list!”
Speaking to delegates at the opening session, Elger said; “You’re part of a global community united by passion for excellence, by a pursuit of service excellence that transcends transactions. It creates moments of profound human connection.”
“Hospitality is more than a profession. It’s a calling.”
“People entrust us with their care, their wellbeing, their milestones and their memories. And this is an extraordinary responsibility and it’s what sets our industry apart.”
Now, Forbes Travel Guide has surpassed 2,100 rated properties across 90 countries globally.
“This is a testament to the ever-expanding liege of service excellence,” he said.
In 2023, Forbes Travel Guide was the first global rating system to rate cruise ships. “This year, we went a step further. We doubled down and we’re the first global rating system to award cruise ship restaurants,” Elger said.
“This ensures that hospitality excellence is recognised no matter where you set sail.”
“Integrity remains the foundation of everything we do. Our awards are neither bought nor given. They’re earned. And our principal commitment is to celebrate due excellence in hospitality,” Elger said.
Previously, Forbes Travel Guide’s Summit had been hosted in the United States, the Monaco event included 80 of the “world’s most trusted travel professionals”, who had the opportunity to meet with top-tier hospitality representatives in an open house forum.
The Summit featured 25 ‘discovery sessions’ focused on hospitality investment, the power of neurodiversity, brain dates (group discussions) and more.
“In our commitment to advancing the industry, we’ve been hard at work at Forbes Travel Guide, creating programs to elevate service excellence,” Elger added.
Among others, this includes the introduction of a ‘Rising Stars’ category for hospitality newcomers that launched this year among Forbes Travel Guide’s major annual awards and the upcoming debut of recognition of leadership development for department heads and directors.
“We’ve been busy together. These initiatives represent a suite of strategic solutions designed to elevate any business, not just hospitality, but any organisation that first and foremost puts service excellence at its core.”
Next year’s Forbes Travel Guide Summit will also return to Monaco.
LATTEwas the sole Australian trade media invited as a guest of Forbes Travel Guide to attend The Summit.
