
Innovation Forum
ILUNION Hotels held the first edition of the Purpose-Driven Innovation Forum.
15 November 2023
This event was opened by the company’s CEO, José Ángel Preciados, and its Director of Innovation, Carlos Bello. During the event, both José Ángel Preciados and Carlos Bello emphasized the importance of all companies working towards a purpose.
The CEO of ILUNION Hotels highlighted that hosting this first Purpose-Driven Innovation Forum “has given us the opportunity to understand where the major organisations leading the tourism sector—or similar industries—stand today, and to draw inspiration from their knowledge and experience.”
Meanwhile, Carlos Bello highlighted the definition of Purpose-Driven Innovation: “Purpose-Driven Innovation has many interpretations. Ultimately, we’re talking about key concepts, the kind of solutions (disruptive and applicable ones), and about creating value.”
He also noted the high level of engagement from stakeholders: “We issued a call to action and 95% of invitees attended, showing strong interest. This demonstrates the tourism and hospitality sector’s openness to innovation, and more specifically, to purpose-driven innovation. Our main goal was to collectively define what innovation with purpose means, through input from all stakeholders and speakers. Finally, we aimed to inspire change to build a better world where everyone is included.”
During the event, a brand roundtable was held, featuring Tomeu Benassar, CIO of Iberostar; Valentín Alegría, Director of Innovation at RENFE; Marta del Olmo Rodriguez, Co-Director of Innovation at Quirón Hospitales; Fede Sainz, CEO of Sepiia, and Manuel Molina, director of Hosteltur, a tourism sector media outlet that offers tourism news for professionals and businesses.