AI Issue 4 2017

Acquisition International - April 2017 65 A Room with a View “Besides this, we have provided experts for complex assignments ranging from organisational change, distressed asset turnaround plans, IT audits, creating technical standards and design guidelines, to negotiating and contracting operators and third-party partners. Our advisors have over 20 years’ experience of working with the large hotel brands, and having reached a senior level, many of them decided to start consulting work having worked in a multitude of different countries.” “We have also undertaken strategic and cost reviews for some well-established hotel companies prior to a merger, acquisition or public listing. This vast array of services ensures that we are able to meet the diverse needs of our varied clientele. Our current assignments include clientele in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Kingdom, Australia and the US.” Examples of brands that HSP have been associated with include: • Kempinski; • Bespoke Hotels • Premier Inn • Nikki Beach; • Beach Republic; • Movenpick; • Radisson; • One and Only; • Hilton; • Banyan Tree; • Centara • SwissBel Hotels. Hospitality consultancy has become increasingly popular over recent years as an increase in global mobility has led to a growth in the hospitality space itself. As such, “staying ahead of the curve” is crucial to the success of any firm looking to mark itself out as the best possible option for hotels and resorts seeking to maximise their potential and cope with this ever-increasing demand. Katrina discusses how the firm marks itself out as a leader in this increasingly competitive global market. “Here at Hotel Solutions Partnership, we truly improve results, maximising product, people, process and profit for our clients. Our focus is always on finding and unlocking the hidden strategic advantage in each client. We serve hotel owners, operators, management companies, developers and investors. We provide support in every phase of a hotel company’s (or hotel’s) life. From a dream on a sketch to working through a bankruptcy, rebranding or closing, we offer end-to- end seamless service. “What distinguishes us from other consultancies is that each Hotel Solutions Partnership member has had at least 10 years of experience at the property or corporate level in hotel management, distribution and development companies and most served as senior vice presidents or managing directors in their executive careers before becoming consultants. Because we focus purely on hotels, our knowledge and expertise in making hotels and resorts successful cannot be matched elsewhere. Collectively, our team of over 40 consultants has over 600 years of experience leading hotel companies and hotels around the world.” Prior to establishing her consultancy, Katrina worked in hotel and resort development and hotel brand franchising in Asia. In her last executive position as CEO of Accor Asia Pacific Hotels and Resorts Philippines, she oversaw the re-branding and refurbishment of 3 hotels totalling 1,150 keys to the Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure brands. Previous to this, she was VP for Projects at the Grand Hotels and Resorts Group where she was responsible for the development and marketing of some 400 resort residential units, renovated an 18-hole championship golf course and launched a marina and yacht club. Katrina discusses how she draws on this vast industry expertise to support her clients. In addition, the Hotel Solutions Partnership regularly attend the following International trade shows: • World Travel Market London; • International Hotel Investment Forum Berlin; • Arabian Travel Market Dubai; • Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific Hong Kong; • Hotel Operations Conference, London • Americas Lodging Investment Summit, Las Vegas; • Hot.E Investment Conference London. “Over the past fourteen years Hotel Solutions Partnership have become known for delivering complex multi-disciplinary advisory assignments that have allowed businesses to achieve their full potential. Our consultants, as individuals or as members of this team, have work experience in well over a hundred countries worldwide for businesses in all sectors of the hotel industry, with varying degrees of complexity, and each of us draws on our vast experience in the hospitality space to ensure that we offer clients the support and solutions that they need to succeed. “I draw on our vast expertise in a variety of businesses across the hospitality space to ensure that my team and I work efficiently and effectively, supporting our clients with whatever they need. Developing hotel and resort brands is my area of expertise and as such I understand the market and am able to share my knowledge and understanding with my staff.” As an independent firm, Hotel Solutions Partnership offers truly unbiased advice that ensures success for its clients. Among the firm’s additional core strengths is its international experience and network of collaborators, as Katrina explains. “As an international organisation addressing an international industry, Hotel Solutions Partnership use our accumulated global know-how and best practise knowledge to create benchmarks with which to address local markets. “This ensures that our services are truly international. With our flexible organisational structure, we can work and collaborate with local resources so as to avoid parachuting people in who lack local knowledge, enabling clients to make the most of our services wherever they are in the world.” Ultimately, Hotel Solutions Partnership has the global experience, expertise and flexibility to capture exactly what any hotel business needs at any precise moment. From undertaking feasibility studies to developing a brand position, managing acquisition and development opportunities to putting the right management team in place, the offer solutions designed specifically for individual clients’ needs, and moving forward its ongoing focus will be on continuing to provide the most innovative, cutting edge support and services to its clients, as Katrina concludes. “Looking ahead, Hotel Solutions Partnership remains committed to supporting its clients in the ever-changing hospitality market. We are constantly visiting the latest trade shows and industry forums in order to remain at the forefront of the latest industry developments, as well as leveraging our international network of contacts throughout the market to ensure that when people work with us they receive the up-to-the-minute advice and support possible. It is this commitment to excellence that has led us to the success we enjoy to today, and we will continue to build upon this and grow even further over the months and years ahead.” “From a dream on a sketch to working through a bankruptcy, rebranding or closing, we offer end-to-end seamless service .”