THE INTERVIEW
HOTELS : How did the most recent terrorist attack in Paris change your perspective ?
Didier Le Calvez : It reminded me of 9 / 11 . Yet going back over more than 50 years and the Algerian War , France to a certain extent is a bit immune and recovers more quickly . What took place is an attack on our lifestyle and we take it as an act of freedom to continue to live . The following weekend my wife asked me if she should go shopping with our daughter , and I said she should . It ’ s a statement . I see similar reactions by others going back to movies , theaters and stadium . I see major purchases of French flags . I ’ m hearing people singing “ La Marseillaise ” ( the French national anthem ) in public assemblies , which is not usually the case . You have more recruits for military than openings .
People I haven ’ t heard from in years are offering encouragement . It means a lot . You have to look at the glass as half full .
H : How has the attack impacted business , and what is the near-term outlook ?
DLC : We were just recovering from the events in January and having a great last quarter . Le Bristol was first in occupancy in November in its competitive set with 64 % when normally it is 85 %... By January we should know how things should be and then expect people to come back gradually . Business in November was down 35 %. We expect December will be down about 50 %. We are clearly not going to sell out for the holidays . We are seeing reservations for March and April , but you can see people are in the mood to watch how things go in December , January and February . The first quarter is down substantially , especially January . We seem to look more even as of April .
H : What are you telling travel agents and guests ?
DLC : The message at ILTM in December was that if you are a friend of France and believe in our values , the best thing is for you to make a point to come back during the first quarter . The lifestyle is
DIDIER LE CALVEZ FILE
September 2015 : Promoted to chief operating officer , while remaining managing director of Le Bristol Paris .
March 2013 : Promoted to senior vice president operations and sales & marketing while managing Le Bristol .
fine – it ’ s a bit reserved but I sense strong determination to move on and not let terrorists hurt our lifestyle . We have the right to take a coffee at the coffee terrace . It is our civilization and culture . We are respectful of other cultures and we expect respect for ours . H : What will you do to drive back business ? DLC : We want to do two packages in the first quarter . It would be appropriate to do something different . One is “ I love Paris ,” and another around “ Paris is a Feast ” from the Hemingway book . I ’ m not sure of the contents yet , but it will be direct answers to what took place …
Life is coming back . I made a point to go to a major concert with my wife and daughter four days ago ( early December ), and I think life is resuming . By the second half of December we will be planning for the first quarter . We want to respect a certain mourning period first .
H : Are you making any changes to Le Bristol ’ s security protocol ?
DLC : Le Bristol is very well located as we are next to the Élysée Palace ( the French president ’ s residence ), and the secretary of the interior . There is always a major police presence .
We are watching more and not allowing
35-year career : Experiences at the Plaza and Pierre Hotel in New York ; opened George V in Paris and managed the Regent in Singapore ; 18 years with Four Seasons , where he was vice chairman in France and Portugal from 1999 to 2007 .
bags ( other than handbags ) in the restaurant . We are being a bit more careful and very present . Since 60 % of our clientele is return , we know our clients . We want everyone to use the main entrance , and there is a strong security presence all the time . I did a major upgrade of cameras three or four years ago , and we now have 150 just for security . We are a very secure hotel and it is why we always have major heads of state staying with us .
H : What was your personal experience the evening of the recent attack ?
DLC : Unfortunately , I was on a plane to St . Bart ’ s . When I landed I learned what happened . I got on the phone with everyone . From the moment it happened there was major police presence . Everyone walking on the sidewalk outside the hotel had to show identification . The filtering was done by police , with us in the background . H : How did it make you feel as a hotelier ? DLC : You feel more responsible toward your guests . Being a Frenchman in France , you want to show the best image of your country with the best behavior . You want to protect your foreign clients first and foremost . It ’ s not fair to say that , but that is the reaction you have . You
32 HOTELS January / February 2016 www . hotelsmag . com