All articles by Surendra Prasad Peravali
Surendra Prasad Peravali
Rebranding of Rezidor to Radisson: González in charge
A five-year operating plan seeks to establish the newly formed Radisson Hotel Group as one of the world’s top three hotel companies. The man charged with leading this transformation, Federico J González, sits down with Phin Foster to discuss his commitment to involving all stakeholders in the process, how he plans to get closer to the consumer and why this is much more than a pure numbers game.
Willms at the helm: Steigenberger Hotel Group’s Deutsche Hospitality
Appointed CEO of Deutsche Hospitality in January, Thomas Willms has wasted little time in making his mark, launching a new upscale brand that promises to help the German hotel operator gain a greater foothold in the franchise space, and open up an array of new opportunities at home and abroad. He speaks to Phin Foster about the value of honest branding, forging new partnerships and his vision for the next phase of Deutsche Hospitality’s evolution.
International Hotel Investment Forum: high hopes
From online travel giants to the heads of the ‘Big Four’ hotel brands, the industry’s leaders gathered in Berlin for the International Hotel Investment Forum in early March. Hotel Management International heard from owners, investors and CEOs about how the market is shaping up for the coming year.
Hilton’s ‘Connected Room’ mobile app: phone it in
In December 2017, Hilton unveiled its Connected Room concept, a first-of-its-kind, high-tech guest room that enables customers to personalise and control every aspect of their stay from one central point – their mobile device. As the hotel giant prepares to roll out the programme, Patrick Kingsland sits down with Josh Weiss, its vice-president of brands and guest technology, to discover how the guest experience could be transformed.
Keeping up to date with latest trends in the hotel industry
In the second instalment of his two-part series for Hotel Management International, EHMA president Hans Koch reveals why hoteliers must keep up to date with drivers and trends in the industry, while also learning how to disrupt the disrupters.
Terror’s impact on European hotels
Thomas Emanuel, director of business development at STR, looks at how hotel markets in Europe have reacted to terror attacks over the past three years. This article was originally published in STR’s ‘Global Hotel Study’, a comprehensive overview of the hospitality industry covering more than 100 markets worldwide.
‘Next gen’ cruises with Celebrity Edge: seeking new horizons
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo was appointed president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises in December 2014, overseeing operations of the brand known for its modern luxury and highly personalised customer service. She is currently in the process of launching the line’s next generation of cruise ship, Celebrity Edge, debuting at the end of this year.
Carlson Rezidor: radical change in the hotel industry
Over the past year, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has seen a change and reshuffling of its management, as well as a new strategic road map. Eric de Neef, the newly appointed executive vice-president, global chief branding and commercial officer, tells Abi Millar where the hotel group is setting its sights, and discusses how he and his colleagues are grappling with some of the industry’s key challenges.
Deutsche Hospitality: standing for German values
Deutsche Hospitality now accounts for 130 hotels in operation and under development across three continents, but it was not always thus. Claus-Dieter Jandel, chief development officer, speaks to Phin Foster about why an internal cultural shift was necessary in order to make such global expansion possible, how his decades of experience within the company helped deliver it, and why Deutsche must never lose sight of its founding German values, even as it evolves into a truly international operator.
Tapestry and Trademark: tapping independent hoteliers
Once the preserve of the luxury tier, new soft brands that sit squarely in the mid to upscale market are targeting an untapped pool of hoteliers who value their independence but want the reach and reassurance of a global chain. Elly Earls meets Hilton’s Mark Nogal, Wyndham’s Philippe Bijaoui and consultant Bjorn Hanson to find out whether one can ever really have the best of both worlds.