Olivier Jolivet is tasked with protecting the rarified essence of what Aman founder Adrian Zecha created starting in 1988 . “ I think our biggest challenge could be defined by trying to keep everything the same , but change everything … keep pioneering , face the competition , uncover new destinations and make the booking process completely |
seamless as technology advances during the Uber-ization of the world ,” Jolivet says . “ We , however , must keep doing what we do best , which is to welcome our guests into our resorts as if to the home of a dear friend .”
Chairman Vladislav Doronin wants Jolivet to keep the brand as it is and protect it as much as possible , and then , Jolivet says , the
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rest will follow . “ Aman is like a club , a lifestyle brand as opposed to a hotel chain . Our guest experience must and will always come first – if the there is an opportunity but it doesn ’ t enrich the brand , then we will not do it . I never want to do things that dilute the brand . Our brand is our main asset , so we do everything we can to preserve it .”
Expect Aman to
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move more into urban hotels , as it has done in Tokyo . Jolivet says future announcements will see Aman welcome a fourth resort in China , a continued journey within Japan and the creation of more urban Amans . “ Yes , city hotels are a focus for us – but it has to be absolutely right . We never compromise ,” he says . “ Furthermore our Aman Residences , |
which continue to set standards in international home ownership , are very much part of our plans moving forward .”
To make its owners happy and drive more business , Jolivet is light on details other than to say Aman continues to host Amanjunkies at special events and is working on expanding its wellness , food and beverage offerings .
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AlexAndrA JAritz glObal hEad
Tru by HilTon
Alexandra Jaritz is fueled by the power of culture , which she has grown to understand since childhood as the daughter of a hotel GM living in hotels in Thailand and India . Now , as global head of the nascent Tru by Hilton brand , she has to take that lifelong education
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and deliver , charged with driving development at warp speed and creating a culture that matches a lean staffing model in a non-traditional configuration in the midscale segment .
Tru boldly came out of the gate in January with 130 deals announced in various stages of development , and Jaritz updated that number in April to more than 200 . The first groundbreaking was in March outside Atlanta with several more coming over the course
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of 2016 . One Tru should open before the end of this year , she says .
“ I have always loved branding and marketing and tend to be a holistic thinker ,” Jaritz adds . “ I feel responsible for a mini-business within Hilton , being held accountable for development numbers , satisfaction and profitability with competitive value proposition ... My goal is to play a bigger part in overseeing multiple brands and maybe becoming a COO , or even bigger .”
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28 hotelsmag . com June 2016 |