Martin Green - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 3

6 min

Investing in icons: talking hotel real estate with Jaume Tàpies Ibern

🏡 In December 2013, Jaume and co-founder Liza Masías established Aina Hospitality, an investment fund targeting boutique hotels. Initially raising more funds than expected, they expanded to larger properties, acquiring a portfolio of nine hotels within approximately 3.5 years. Aina Hospitality transformed into a hotel management company, while BOSCALT was created to handle investments. They attracted backers like Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity, focusing on luxury and ultra-luxury properties, such as Hyde London City and Baccarat Hotel Roma. They prioritize sustainability, with each property having a sustainability champion, and aim for the Silver sustainability standard for historic renovations. Despite the challenges of financing and competitive markets, their unique investment philosophy draws investors, offering a personal connection to the assets.

4 min

World’s best luxury destinations – #5 Japan’s spring blossom (sakura) season

🌸 Sakura season celebrated in Japan signifies renewal, peace, and friendship, typically occurring between March and April. Tokyo's Ueno Park is a prime viewing location. The Hotel New Otani Tokyo offers proximity to cherry blossoms with a 400-year-old Japanese Garden. Amanemu resort in Ago Bay provides an exclusive onsen experience alongside cultural activities. Gora Kadan in Hakone offers traditional Japanese hospitality with hot springs and kaiseki meals. Sushi Shin by Miyakawa in the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo allows guests to interact with chefs and features ancient woodwork techniques. Wellness trends like head spas, exemplified by Hitotoki Head Spa, offer relaxation and treatments for head and soul. Hospitality careers in Japan require skills such as interpersonal communication, multicultural understanding, organizational proficiency, customer service excellence, and leadership abilities. Hospitality degrees from institutions like Glion can pave the way for success in the industry.

3 min

Be brave: why managerial courage matters in the modern workplace

🏢 Fabrice Gautron, with experience across Europe, AsiaPac, the US, and the Middle East, emphasizes the link between managerial courage and an entrepreneurial mindset. He highlights the importance of questioning existing procedures, even in large chains, and empowering staff with responsibility and accountability. Advocating for transparency and continuous learning, Gautron stresses that managerial courage fosters trust, innovation, and sustainable results in the workplace. He holds a degree in Business and International Finance, is an alumnus of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program, and enjoys high altitude mountain trekking. Gautron currently advises in luxury, retail, and hospitality sectors.

3 min

Customer Experience: why it matters and how to do it better

🏢 Luxury industry customers pay $15,000 for an Hermès bag for the feeling, not practicality. The luxury sector faces challenges with generational shifts, such as less brand loyalty among GenZ. To engage new consumers, luxury brands build communities and use storytelling. Hermès' HermèsFit gym toured internationally, including the US, Japan, Singapore, France, and China, blending fitness with fashion. Luxury brands also aim to enhance in-store and online customer experience to turn customers into brand ambassadors. Miriam Palà, with a decade of Customer Experience expertise, emphasizes empathy, shared corporate responsibility, and employee autonomy to succeed in Customer Experience strategies.

4 min

A conversation with Antoine Pin, CEO of TAG Heuer – courtesy of Luxury Tribune

🏁 LVMH signed a €150 million annual partnership with Formula 1. TAG Heuer, part of LVMH's watchmaking division, will allocate funds across communication, product development, and customer experience. TAG Heuer targets the CHF 4,000–8,000 range but offers products like CHF 40,000 tourbillons reflecting R&D investments. No layoffs at TAG Heuer despite industry struggles; the brand maintains a balanced inventory with retailers. With 1.5 billion global F1 viewers, TAG Heuer leverages its motorsport heritage and sponsorship of Red Bull Racing. The brand embraces competition and maintains partnerships, such as with Porsche in motorsport.

9 min

Unlocking your hotel investment: navigating hospitality real estate finance

💰 Edouard Louapre, head of Bachelor specialization in International Hotel Development and Finance, provides insights into the complexities of hotel real estate investment. The European hotel investment market was valued at €10.7 billion in 2023. Investors include banks, pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, REITs, hotel companies, and high net worth individuals. Key considerations for hotel investment include understanding local market conditions, financial and ESG performance. The Hinduja family invested £1.3 billion in the Raffles OWO hotel in London. Trends in hotel investment include diversifying revenue with private residences and adapting to new travel behaviors. The Waldorf Astoria New York was acquired for $1.95 billion in 2014 and is undergoing a refurbishment set to exceed $2 billion.

4 min

Alumni Accelerator win is just the beginning, says Poynto founder Vasily Grogol

📌 Vasily, mentored by Frédéric Frère in the Glion Alumni Association Entrepreneurship Commission's Accelerator program, has developed Poynto—inspired by Japan's capsule hotels but redesigned for style and comfort. Poynto targets young professionals, digital nomads, and value-seeking travelers, offering luxurious interiors with facilities such as coworking spaces and lounges, all at a competitive $69 per room. Capsules are prefabricated in Ukraine and shipped to hotel sites, with London being the first target city due to its unused office space and strong tourism demand. Despite challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war with Russia, Vasily's hospitality ventures have proven resilient.

7 min

Diversity in hospitality: how cultural inclusivity defines the industry

🏨 Stefano Battaglia, a lecturer at Glion, discusses the importance of diversity in hospitality, noting that around 40% of employees in the UK and Switzerland's hospitality industries, and 30% in the US, have a non-native background. He emphasizes the benefits of a diverse workforce for customer service, adaptability, and reduced staff turnover. Challenges include translating diversity to leadership roles, with women, making up 70% of the workforce, underrepresented in top positions. Less than 30% of hospitality companies undertake unconscious bias training. Hospitality and F&B industries recognize diversity as essential for employee satisfaction and improved guest experiences, with Glion offering elective language courses to enhance student employability. Major hotel brands like Hilton are praised for their diversity programs, with Hilton having been inducted into DiversityInc’s Hall of Fame for Top Companies for Diversity.

3 min

Compelling conversations: The Insider puts hospitality center stage

🏥 Peter Schickling, a 1993 Glion alumnus and GM of W Barcelona, Hazel Limfat, a 2016 Glion graduate part of Waldorf Astoria New York's reopening team, and entrepreneur Frédéric Biousse discussed their experiences and insights at a live event in October. They shared professional and entrepreneurial philosophies, career stories, and industry changes, including the multi-billion dollar refurbishment of the Waldorf Astoria and the evolution of luxury to be more meaningful.

4 min

Change management: Glion alumnus Gabriel writes the book on how to transition from hotelier to consultant

👨 Gabriel Meyer launched his hospitality consultancy, Golden Olive International, in 2010 at age 49, before his self-imposed deadline of turning 50. With extensive experience, including roles at Hyatt International, Hilton, and other high-end hotel groups, Gabriel's consultancy offers personalized management services, specializing in project management and training. He leverages his industry knowledge, gained from global experience, including hotel openings and a foundational education at Glion in the early 80s. Golden Olive International has a reputation for expertise in the sector and is aimed at mainly independent clients. Gabriel advises aspiring consultants to work hard, be curious, and value human connections.

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