What ’ s hot : PeoPle
What ’ s hot : PeoPle
Frank Fiskers prEsidENt aNd CEO , sCaNdiC HOtEls , stOCkHOlM
In February , Scandic acquired Rica Hotels , adding 72 hotels to its portfolio — all of which will be converted to the Scandic brand . Now at 223 hotels , Scandic is the region ’ s market leader .
At the same time , Fiskers expects to add two or three properties a year in select Nordic markets and is planning expansion into Germany .
Fiskers is also excited about the launch of Scandic Group sister brand HTL , a midmarket lifestyle brand suited to real estate that would normally not be financially feasible for hotels . He is targeting 20- plus HTLs within five years . The “ city compact ” concept has small guestrooms , which are compensated by lounge and bar areas with great communal space .
Federico González Tejera
CEO , NH HOtEls GrOup , Madrid
A new debt structure with a more flexible operating framework has cleared the way for funding of up to € 225 million ( US $ 311 million ) for NH and González Tejera to implement a five-year strategic plan .
Priorities range from improving management capabilities to refining growth plans . With some 400 hotels , NH also plans to improve margins by transforming its distribution model , client relationship management and loyalty rewards program .
González Tejera aims to sell € 125 million ( US $ 169.5 million ) worth of assets , mostly in Spain , to help NH reduce its debt and improve its balance sheet . He is also leading the repositioning of the brand portfolio , focusing on three flags : luxury NH Collection , core 3- and 4-star NH Hotels and lifestyle brand Nhow .
26 HOTELS June 2014 www . hotelsmag . com