Hotel Owner May 2019 | Page 12

MONTH IN REVIEW MONTH IN REVIEW www.hotelowner.co.uk RESULTS Accor revenues jump 34.2% in Q1 2019 Accor has reported a 34.2% increase in revenue to €987m (£854m) for the first quarter of 2019, with like-for-like sales (LFL) also up 8.8% during the period. The hotel brand’s RevPAR increased by 1.6%, with “mixed performances” across its global portfolio. According to the group, Europe remained “resilient”, with a 3.3% increase in RevPar, while Asia-Pacific was down slightly at -20.6%. Accor anticipates an “improvement of the momentum across the year”. During the first quarter, Accor opened 71 hotels, representing 8,300 rooms. At the end of March 2019, the group’s pipeline amounted to 1,135 hotels and 200,000 rooms. Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO, said: “In a turbulent macroeconomic environment, the group’s first quarter revenue performance highlights the effectiveness of our transformation and the soundness of our strategy. “Europe remained strong, while South America continued its robust recovery. We achieved sustained business development over the period, in line with our medium term objectives, and continued to strengthen our pipeline, with an ever-increasing share of luxury hotels, which generate higher fees per room.” I am so thrilled to be back in Oxford especially at Vanbrugh House Hotel as it is such a lovely hotel Cristina Raduica, GM, Vanbrugh House 12 www.hotelowner.co.uk APPOINTMENTS Vanbrugh House Hotel appoints new GM Vanbrugh House Hotel, Oxford, has appointed Cristina Raduica as the hotel’s new general manager. Raduica’s career in the hospitality industry began when she moved to the UK in 2012, having completed a Masters Degree in marketing at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies. Progressing from receptionist to assistant general manager, she has gained “valuable experience” in a range of areas of the hotel business. The appointment marks Raduica’s return to Oxford having previously worked in the city between 2012 and 2015. More recently she has held the role of assistant general manager at a hotel in Buckinghamshire. Raduica said: “I am so thrilled to be back in Oxford especially at Vanbrugh House Hotel as it is such a lovely hotel. I am looking forward to taking on the challenges that being a general manager brings and working together with the team to ensure that every guest has the best experience possible.” Stuart Bailey, CEO of Splendid Hospitality who own the hotel, added: “Cristina brings with her such a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the indu stry and we know she will be a great asset to the hotel.” The Grade-II-listed hotel features 22 rooms that are all based on characters or things connected to Oxford. Vanbrugh House Hotel, Oxford, has appointed Cristina Raduica as the hotel’s new general manager. Raduica’s career in the hospitality industry began when she moved to the UK in 2012, having completed a Masters Degree in marketing at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies. Progressing from receptionist to assistant general manager, she has gained “valuable experience” in a range of areas of the hotel business. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 HOTEL OPENINGS £10m Somerset hotel opens to guests The Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater, the result of an £10m investment by owner, Zeal Projects, has officially opened its doors to guests. Managing director of Zeal Projects, Tim Wheeldon, cut the ribbon to mark the opening alongside the hotel team – including general manager Barnaby Kean. Situated in the Regional Rural Business Centre in Bridgwater, the brand new hotel features 138 guest bedrooms, a bar and restaurant, two meeting rooms and on-site car parking. The hotel is also managed by independent hotel management company, RBH. Neil Taylor, COO at RBH, said: “We are proud to mark the launch of Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater – the first of five new hotel openings this year for RBH. Our reputation for operating properties under the Holiday Inn Express brand speaks for itself. “With almost 20 counted within our growing portfolio, I am confident that Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater will go from strength to strength now it is welcoming guests.” Wheeldon added: “I’m thrilled to see Holiday Inn Express Bridgwater officially open its doors to guests. We have worked exceptionally hard along with our partners to ready the city’s largest hotel, and the fruits of our labour are clear to see. I look forward to the journey ahead.” May 2019