SPOTLIGHT
Appointed as CEO in 2019, Mr. Smura talks about
the group’s expansion internationally, as well as
their first property in New York, situated close to
Rockefeller Center. At the heart of this growth are
the Kempinski Brand Standards that set the tone for
personalized guest service along the entire journey.
MR. SMURA, IT IS NEARLY A YEAR AGO
THAT YOU HAVE BEEN APPOINTED
IN YOUR ROLE AS CEO. I BELIEVE
THAT KEMPINSKI HAS AN EXTENSIVE
EXPANSION PLANNED INCLUDING A
FLAGSHIP HOTEL IN NEW YORK. CAN YOU
SHARE SOME OF THE DETAILS?
It has been intense months since I started in this
position and I am very proud to be heading this
luxurious brand. Kempinski is a close community of
true luxury hoteliers that value craftsmanship, and I
am glad to be part of the family.
We are indeed focusing on ambitious international
expansion plans, as part of our long-term
strategy. Our goal is to operate more than 100
luxury hotels by 2022. In the next 12 months
alone, nine new hotels will open: three in the
Caribbean and one hotel in Tel Aviv, Tbilisi,
Bangkok, Guangzhou, Brazzaville and Almaty
respectively. A further seven hotels are currently
under construction.
Part of the development growth plan is our
partnership with the German 12.18 Investment
Group, with whom we have developed a new
lifestyle product, 7Pines Kempinski. The new
concept offers laid-back luxury, lifestyle experience
in the Kempinski world. The first 7Pines Kempinski
hotel will be 7Pines Kempinski Ibiza which will
reopen in summer 2020, followed by a second
opening in Sardinia in 2021.
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