INVESTMENT
Site map and a 5-bed villa rendering from the Four Seasons in Puglia , Italy , being developed by Omnam with IAC Investments .
Germany and France . “ We feel like luxury tourism is where we want to be and we feel the travelers are back ,” he says . “ In key markets , luxury and ultraluxury is booming .”
Omnam also sees people taking cheap flights to save for a few nights at a luxury hotel . As a result , it wants to own the experiential component of the stay to make sure the property is a hub . “ You ’ re almost a member ,”: Heksch says . “ We look for engaging experiences and partner on the F & B side with the best of the best in the market .”
With most of the developments 24 to 48 months from opening , Heksch also believes Omnam ’ s timing will be right with any macroeconomic challenges settled .
Interestingly , Heksch alluded to the potential for franchising to reach the luxury segment . “ I think that we ’ ll have to come around to some sort of a hybrid for the simple reason that you pay the support that you ’ re not always necessarily getting ,” he says . “ I pay development fees and an ongoing fee , yet I have to go and source my F & B and make sure I ’ m at every meeting with the design , etc . because I don ’ t trust the process as much as the operator . It ’ s a problem . They have limited resources , and I know because I was on the other side of the table … Unless they commit to adding resources and layers to give more support , to be more engaged , then I think that they are doomed to move into a franchise model one way or another .”
In summary , Heksch says , “ We are able to find the rough stones and bring the best out of it , maximizing value when it comes to the real estate . We are creative thinkers and know how to build for the right price , asset manage to get to the right margins , and we are very demanding and involved . We have resources in every country we work – country managers , back office , etc . There are always resources speaking the local language and we always work with local architects of record . We always go to the local heritage department to understand everything that was there before us and showcase the history … We are a hands-on developer , small and devoted , and always growing and looking for the for the best projects .”
48 hotelsmag . com October 2022