The future nhow in Brussels, located in an exceptional building owned by Pandox (a leading European hotel property company), will open its 305 rooms under the new brand during the second half of 2019. The concept underpinning the design plans is to unleash the creativity of its visitors by breaking down the barriers between art gallery and hotel.
The hotel market in Belgium has recovered from the downturn following the terrorist attacks in Brussels in 2016. This is shown in the annual HOSTA report from hotel consultant Horwath HTL. The hotel occupancies, which dropped considerably in 2016, are back at the level from before the attacks. The average room rates are also showing an increase.
Ms. Claudia Venturini was recently appointed Sales & Marketing Director at Hotel Amigo, a Rocco Forte hotel a few steps from the majestic Grand Place in Brussels.
Radisson Hospitality AB has appointed Laurent Maes to the role of SVP of group controlling and business planning, effective Sept. 3. He joins Radisson Hospitality AB from Johnson & Johnson, where he has spent 16 years in finance and control. His latest role at Johnson & Johnson was as senior finance director of the California Innovation Center. Prior to this, he held the responsibility of finance director for the Nordic region, senior finance director and CFO for Johnson & Johnson, Germany. Het also spent two years early in his career serving as a management consultant in the strategy and organization practice at Arthur D. Little.
French-born Michel Cottray has been appointed General Manager at Steigenberger Wiltcher’s in Brussels with effect from October. Mr. Cottray gained his vast experience in countries like Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Australia with international hotel brands such as the InterContinental Hotel Group, The Luxury Collection of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Le Meridien, Westin, Sheraton and Sofitel.
The Rezidor Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Chema Basterrechea as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO). Chema Basterrechea has been Chief Operating Officer at NH Hotel Group, prior to his appointment with Rezidor. Chema has worked for NHHG for more than 23 years, as Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director of different Business Units, Senior Vice President Food & Beverage, Director of Integration, Merger Integration Officer and General Manager. As an expert in operational excellence especially during mergers and acquisitions, Chema spearheaded a complete integration of all the different acquisitions: Benelux largest hotel chain, Golden Tulip Hotels, as well as Germany's Astron Hotels and the Italian Hotel Chains - Jolly Hotels and Framon into NH Hotel Group. As Rezidor's COO, Chema will be responsible for all operational matters including brand standards implementation, operating procedures, review of operating models and organizational efficiency to improve the company's profitability and brand awareness. He will also identify new market segments and help expand the existing customer base of Rezidor and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Rezidor's five Senior Area Vice Presidents across Europe, the Middle East and Africa; leaders of Franchise Services, Safety & Security and Food & Drink will report to Chema Basterrechea. 48 years old, Chema is a Business Administration and International Finance graduate of London Business School, IESE Business School, University of Wisconsin and University of Oviedo. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian. Chema loves to ski, practices mountain biking, running and riding motorbikes in his spare time. Chema will be based at Rezidor's Brussels Corporate Office.
Hotels in Brussels recorded a 116.8 per cent year-on-year increase in profit per room this month, as a result of the Belgian capital hosting the NATO Summit, according to the latest data from HotStats.
NH Hotel Group has celebrated the opening of another hotel under its NH Collection brand, the NH Collection Grand Sablon in Brussels. This is the second of the Company's upper-upscale brand in the Belgian capital, adding to its 67 existing hotels around the world.
Federico González-Tejera succeeds Wolfgang M. Neumann as President & CEO of Rezidor. Neumann remains on Rezidor's Board of Directors as non-executive director
The hotel industry in Brussels, Belgium, has posted five consecutive months of occupancy growth following a 12-month period of occupancy declines, according to data from STR. Notable performance recovery began in November 2016 with a 10.2% increase in occupancy compared with the same month the previous year. That comparable November in 2015 marked the beginning of the market's struggles after the terrorist attacks in Paris and the resulting travel lockdown in Brussels. Occupancy for November 2015 dropped 19.5% compared with the same month in 2014 and was followed by a 26.7% drop that December.January and February 2016 showed signs that the market was regaining stability, with average-daily-rate (ADR) growth in both months, but the 22 March 2016 attacks at Brussels Airport and the Maalbeek metro station resulted in eight more months of double-digit occupancy declines. April and August 2016 saw the two most significant drops, at 30.8% and 31.1%, respectively. ADR was less affected, with a 0.8% decline in Q2 2016 and a 5.7% drop in Q3, as hotels responded to fallouts in demand.
With the United Kingdom scheduled to officially advise the European Union next Wednesday of its intention to leave the EU, triggering two years of Brexit negotiations, Caribbean tourism officials recently undertook a mission to the European capital, Brussels, for a series of meetings with senior parliamentarians and officials in the European Parliament, the European Commission, the CARIFORUM ambassadors, and other key stakeholders and influencers.
Olivier Daguzan, head of AccorHotels’ HotelInvest division in Benelux, has also been given the role of chief operating officer for AccorHotels’ HotelInvest division in the UK.
Courtyard by Marriott continues to expand across Europe with the opening of Courtyard Brussels EU. Ideally located in the heart of the European Quarter near the vibrant city centre, the hotel offers convenient access to the Grand Place, Magritte Museum, European Commission and Brussels International Airport.
HOTREC, the European trade association of hotels, restaurants and cafes, METRO AG and the European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA) signed a Framework Agreement through which they undertake to cooperate to contribute to reducing food waste and further engage in food donations.
Corinthia Hotels announces the acquisition of the Hotel Astoria in Brussels. This part-listed, trophy property has stood vacant for 10 years, but will now be fully refurbished as the city's leading luxury hotel, branded the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria. The Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria will comprise 121 bedrooms and suites, as well as extensive banqueting, dining and spa facilities.
On April 17th, 2016 the Chinese investment group HNA opened its first European property in the capital of Europe, i.e. the high-end Oriental- designed 'Tangla Hotel Brussels'. Tangla Hotel Brussels is a tribute to the Chinese art of hospitality, luxury and sophistication and an ode to the unique charm of Asian culture. Like the rivers flowing from the Tanggula Mountains, Tangla Hotel Brussels brings serenity to its guests. Its elegance is in the simple blend of Feng Shui and innovation. The team's aim is to deliver service excellence and the guest will experience an exclusive retreat for all senses in all seasons at Tangla Hotel Brussels.
Rezidor, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announces the Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Airport in Belgium. The mid-scale property with 163 guest rooms is scheduled to open in Q1 2017. It is Rezidor's second Park Inn by Radisson in Brussels, and brings the group's total room count in the Belgian capital city to 4 hotels with 735 rooms in operation and under development.
During the conference, the results of a study commissioned by the EU on training and training systems for tourism will be presented, as well as how these systems meet the needs of the industry. Scandic is the only hotel chain that has been invited to inspire companies to use interactive training to support people with special needs.
Penta is coming to the heart of Europe: from June, pentahotel Brussels City Centre, the newest property in portfolio of the pentahotels neighbourhood lifestyle brand, will add its unmistakable vibe to the Belgian capital. The former Mercure hotel has been completely refurbished and now makes a bold and very stylish mark with its inimitable penta design.
Rezidor, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announces Marc Descrozaille as Area Vice President sub-Saharan Africa with immediate effect. Descrozaille joined Rezidor in 2012 and served as the Regional Director UAE, Egypt, Jordan & Oman. In his new position, reports directly to Olivier Harnisch, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Carlson Rezidor’s long-term strategy targets asset-light, profitable and sustainable growth with a particular focus on emerging markets like Africa. The group holds the largest pipeline of hotels and rooms under development on the continent (source: W Hospitality) and operates and develops more than 50 Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotels in 22 African countries. Descrozaille has had a distinguished career in hospitality beginning with the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong and moving on to Hilton Hotels & Resorts before joining Rezidor. His education includes a Hotel and Restaurant Management qualification from Lausanne (Switzerland) and an MBA in Hospitality Management from Cornell-Essec, France. He is also the honorary president of the IMHI Alumni Association.