TRENDING
MY CHILDREN AND SISTER ALL HELP CREATE A SENSE OF FAMILY , WHICH ACTUALLY IS WHAT MAKES US A BIT DIFFERENT FROM EVERYBODY ELSE .
– SIR ROCCO FORTE
Irene , Lydia and Charles , are now major contributors after working in Forte hotels ’ kitchens and housekeeping departments as teenagers . All over 30 today , Charles oversees development efforts for the brand ; Lydia focuses on the portfolio ’ s food and beverage programs ; and Irene leads the spa proposition and is also the founder , leader and driving force behind bourgeoning Irene Forte Skincare .
“ My children and sister all help create a sense of family , which actually is what makes us a bit different from everybody else ,” Forte says .
“ As an industry , we must think a lot harder about how we attract people , helping to develop and grow them ” Forte says . “ It ’ s actually something we ’ re trying to focus on very strongly for the next six months – making the company even more attractive and developing more tools for people to come and join .”
Forte admits training and development need to be recharged internally because it is the group ’ s intuitive , individualized customer service that sets it apart , adding “ creating the best possible engine room also enables us to grow much more easily .”
He says he also needs to put a great emphasis on service pre-arrival because stays are lasting longer and there has been a huge increase in advance concierge requests with hotel teams typically getting 120 emails a day . “ It has created a huge workload we didn ’ t have before ,” he says . “ People used to do it more on arrival ; we ’ ve had to adjust .”
Forte is also working on consolidating the business to make it stronger for the fourth generation of Fortes already managing various aspects of the family business . While sister Olga Polizzi continues to be the inspiration behind Forte property design , Sir Rocco ’ s three children ,
THE PUSH FOR GROWTH Next up for Rocco Forte Hotels is next year ’ s opening of The Carlton Milan . Well established in Italy , Forte adds that there is a lot more the group can do there . In fact , a second property in Puglia and a property in Sardinia are under development and both are expected to open in 2024 .
Forte , who usually takes leases but is in discussions for a management contract in Italy , says the group is also in advanced discussions for a couple of projects in Greece and is looking at a property in Spain . He adds that they are also looking at a couple of projects in Paris , but it ’ s very early stages .
Rocco Forte House serviced apartments are also being developed beside existing hotels in Florence and Milan , Italy . The House in
14 hotelsmag . com September 2022