All articles by chris cox
chris cox
The big interview: Gabriel Escarrer Jaume
As CEO of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer Jaume is charged with consolidating and building upon a hospitality empire founded by his father more than 50 years ago. He sits down with Phin Foster to discuss family values, international growth and why he’s focusing on the premium space.
Green card: sustainability in the hotel sector
Sustainability is now a serious consideration, with many operators placing environmental impact measurement at the very core of their business models. Natalie Healey talks to Kate Gibson, vice-president of corporate responsibility at InterContinental Hotels Group about the increasingly ambitious green targets groups are now setting in order to drive their businesses forward.
Plugged-in property management
Today’s most advanced property management systems can handle everything from check-in to accounting, and will soon be able to incorporate information from social media platforms − but are they being used to their best advantage? Elly Earls meets Hilary Murphy of Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Morgans’ Gustaf Burman, Marriott’s Kermit Littlefield and Mövenpick’s Roger MacFarlaine to find out.
Hospitality Security Europe 2013
Dr Ray Iunius from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne shared his insight and philosophy on the future of safety and security in the hospitality industry at Hotel Management International’s Hospitality Security Europe event.
Accor reveals new growth-boosting plan
French hospitality giant Accor has announced plans to split the business into two divisions, which will focus on the operation and ownership of hotels, respectively.
Shared values: Chris and Jeff Galvin
With seven restaurants dispersed throughout London and Edinburgh, including three at high-profile hotels, brothers Jeff and Chris Galvin are known for their easy-going attitude and a love of ‘fine dining with the edges knocked off’. They talk to Abi Millar about trophy restaurants, centenarian patrons and keeping it in the family.
Hilton Worldwide goes public with $2.35-billion share sale
Hilton Wordwide has raised $2.35 billion via a share sell, which will allow the group to pay down debt. The sale represents the second-largest listing in the US in 2013.
Balance of power: Steve Leung interview
Hong Kong-born architect and interior designer Steve Leung has won more than 100 design and corporate awards throughout his career, but he’s keeping shtum about his next big hotel project: Shangri-La at The Shard in London. He tells Elly Earls why he’s increasingly drawn to interiors, and how he integrates Chinese traditions of ‘balance’ into a contemporary Asian design concept.
Dorchester sets sights on New York and Asia
The Dorchester Collection has revealed plans to increase its portfolio by opening properties in New York and Asia.
The captain: Palmiro Noschese interview
Having joined Meliá in 2002, Palmiro Noschese has spent the last seven years as the brand’s area manager for Italy. He won the 2013 Italian Hotel Manager of the Year award and is also a finalist for the much-coveted pan-European prize.