What ’ s Hot : PEOPLE
PAUL WHETSELL
PRESIDENT AND CEO , LOEWS HOTELS & RESORTS , NEW YORK CITY
WHAT MAKES HIM HOT : Leading a company with a long-standing reputation but inertia from a growth perspective into a growth trajectory . Whetsell wants to double the company ’ s size to 34 or 35 hotels by 2015 . The good news is that he has the strength of Loews ’ balance sheet to acquire assets alone and then bring in JV partners after the fact . A company historically in the mode of making money off real estate is now committing to growing its numbers , and that is why Whetsell joined in January .
WHAT HE IS WORKING ON NOW : In a 50-50 partnership with Universal Studios , Loews is launching its fourth hotel at Disney , the Cabana Bay Beach Resort . Whetsell is chasing deals only in major markets like Chicago , San Francisco and Toronto , but in mid-August he said there was not a lot to chase . “ Most brokers think it will pick up this fall . We will be ready ,” Whetsell says , adding that he expects to close one or two more deals before the end of the year and would consider opportunities in global markets like London .
WHAT ’ S NEXT : Becoming more profitable with existing assets by increasing operating margins . Loews is reinvesting in assets , including a major renovation of the Regency in New York City , to drive more revenue and , as a result , more margin . Whetsell adds that with mass could come a points-based loyalty club .
KIRK KINSELL
PRESIDENT , AMERICAS , IHG
WHAT MAKES HIM HOT : In June of last year , Kinsell returned to the United States after running EMEA for IHG since September 2007 . A member of IHG ’ s senior leadership team since 2002 , he is now charged with , among other things , managing the ongoing revitalization of the Holiday Inn brand , helping create a new identity for Crowne Plaza as well as launching the fitness-focused Even brand .
HOTTEST ITEM IN HIS INBOX : Crowne Plaza is IHG ’ s highest brand priority at the moment , and the company has already removed 16 hotels in the Americas . Kinsell anticipates an additional 25 hotels will exit as IHG works to get the full brand portfolio up to par . “ Crowne Plaza is the fastest-growing upscale brand in Asia Pacific , and we ’ re committed to strengthening its presence as a great global brand ,” he says .
BIGGEST CHALLENGE : Driving engagement with guests , owners and employees , while managing through the continued rate of change . Supply-and-demand dynamics are shifting , and Kinsell believes there is opportunity to rethink how to approach business . “ We have to practice active revenue management in a time when high demand loads are yielding healthy increases in revenue ,” he adds .
WHAT ’ S NEXT : Returning US $ 1 billion to shareholders .
NICHOLAS CLAYTON COO , JUMEIRAH GROUP , DUBAI
WHAT MAKES HIM HOT : In April , Clayton left his CEO role at the 15-property Viceroy Hotel Group to take on a new role for the expansion-minded Jumeirah Group , which doubled the number of hotels under management from 2011 to 2012 . Now he wants to grow the company by entering global capitals and world-class resort destinations .
WHAT HE IS WORKING ON NOW : “ The hotels ’ authentic feel is one of the key strengths of the brand , and I want to have a clear picture of what ’ s on offer ,” Clayton says . He also plans to drive improvement in financial market share and quality scores , while immersing himself — both personally and professionally — into the Arab culture .
WHAT ’ S NEXT : Remaining relevant and respecting the brand ’ s cultural heritage . While the development strategy is global , Clayton expects Jumeirah ’ s natural growth markets to be the Middle East and Asia .
30 HOTELS October 2012 www . hotelsmag . com