All articles by chris cox
chris cox
Rezidor’s momentum for growth
Applied in 2011, The Rezidor Hotel Group’s Route 2015 plan represents a set of tenets to bolster its portfolio in the EMEA. Elie Younes, senior vice-president and head of group development, talks about how the ability to embrace change is helping the group attain this goal.
A conflicting picture
How has civil unrest changed the dynamics of the Middle East’s hotel market and where are the core growth areas moving forward? Philip Kleinfeld talks to Hala Matar Choufany, regional managing director at HVS, Filippo Sona, head of hotels and hospitality, MENA Region at Colliers International, and Olivier Granet, vice-president development Middle East at Accor, and discovers a future that’s brighter than what might be expected.
Green roots: sustainability at the heart of Scandic
Since the early ’90s, Scandic Hotels has been famed for its environmental credentials, embedding responsible behaviour across its corporate culture and developing what many now agree is the industry’s leading sustainability programme. Tom Vaughan meets president and CEO Anders Ehrling to discuss the impetus for constant self-improvement, and setting standards for others to follow.
No alarms and no surprises
Modern technology plays a pivotal role in keeping hotels secure and safe. Arup’s Gregoir Chikaher and the Information Systems Security Association’s Kevin Richards speak to Hotel Management International about how the latest developments provide protection and why operators must be suitably proactive without seeming alarmist.
GM evolution: being a modern general manager
As new technologies proliferate and competition grows fiercer, the role of the general manager has undergone dramatic changes. Abi Millar talks to Dorchester Collection CEO Christopher Cowdray; Jean-Luc Naret, managing director of Heritage Resorts; and Johanna Fragano of the European Hotel Managers Association about the greatest challenges currently facing those on the front line of hospitality – and how they are being overcome.
Hilton prepares for public offering
Hilton Worldwide has filed to raise $1.25 billion in an initial public offering. The stock market launch could become the largest ever in the hotel industry if it exceeds Hyatt’s 2009 $1.09-billion offering.
Great technological expectations: Global Hotel Industry Survey
More than ever before, hoteliers’ understanding of new technologies is dictating market success. In ‘Global Hotel Industry Survey 2013: Emerging Trends in Technology, Sustainability, Health and Wellness Tourism’, Timetric – a leading provider of online data, analysis and advisory services on key growth economies and sectors – provides an overview of the current investment landscape.
New CEO for Accor
Accor Hotels has appointed Sébastien Bazin as its fourth chief executive officer since 2006 in what is being interpreted as a further effort to speed up its asset disposal strategy.
A pointed strategy
How does one bring independent hotels under a global loyalty scheme without them losing their individuality? Susan Devine, Preferred Hotel Group’s executive vice-president for Europe, speaks to Will Hawkes about the importance of consultation and how one ensures that standards remain high.
Billionaire set to buoy market
Wang Jianlin, China’s wealthiest man, is looking to buy hotel management companies in ten different cities including New York and London. The news gave a boost to shares in Marriot International and Starwood, which climbed 3.2% and 1.4% respectively.