Topic HR

News & Stories

What do employer competitions achieve? Hoteliers on their experiences
Benchmarking is the benefit
15.5.2013

Munich. The number of employer competitions has been growing exponentially for a while now. Nevertheless, participation in such schemes can bring benefits for hotels when data are properly compiled, results correctly interpreted and corresponding measures taken. A plus point is primarily the comparison with other sectors. As a pure PR measure though, such competitions are expensive. Baerbel Schwertfeger has taken a closer look at two competitions: the "Top Employers 2013" and "Great Place to Work".

Salary jungle: bonuses for one third only
10.4.2013

Duesseldorf. Not even half of the employees in the German hotel industry receive holiday pay or a Christmas bonus. This is the result of a survey about salaries in the hotel industry among 3,500 employees working in all hierarchical levels. The survey provides interesting details about extra payments and basic salaries in various German states divided into gender, positions and much more.

Glion opens campus in London
13.12.2012

Glion/London. For the first time, the Swiss Glion Institute of Higher Education will open an additional campus beyond Switzerland, namely in London.

Rezidor CEO Kurt Ritter slowly says goodbye
The power parcel
1.11.2012

Brussels. His name means "knight". Yet in the good times, he liked to celebrate like a king and had Château Rothschild served at Rezidor parties at the ITB. Now, Kurt Ritter is preparing a regal retirement at a small castle in France. From there, he will no longer carry out the "Ritter virtues" into the entire Rezidor world, but will still be active in important Carlson committees. "23 years are enough," Ritter says as President & CEO - 36 years after he first came to the company. Together with Reto Wittwer from Kempinski, he's the longest serving CEO in the industry.

The supervisory board has already asked him twice to agree to an extension of his contract and the 65-year-old didn't want to be asked a third time. He announced his official departure four weeks ago, he will finally leave the ranks of senior management on January 1, 2013. In an interview with hospitalityInside.com, he reflects on his life for and with Rezidor. He's sure: "If we had taken the conventional route, we wouldn't be where we are today."

OEHV to launch employee initiative in Spain
18.10.2012

Vienna. 50 percent of youth unemployment in Spain while Austria is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers? The Austrian hotel association, Oesterreichische Hoteliervereinigung, thus openly started placing Spaniards looking for work in positions at Austrian first-class hotels.

No emails, no burnout
13.9.2012

Duesseldorf. Businesses have their own regulations concerning the availability of their employees: 33 percent of the companies plan or already have appropriate measures in place. This is the result of a survey among 279 human resources managers.

Dusit and EHL collaborate
6.9.2012

Bangkok/Lausanne. This week, Dusit Thani College launched an international hospitality programme in association with the Swiss hospitality school Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne.

Personality tests in the hotel industry: Reiss Profile under examination
"Giving in to one's impulses"
2.8.2012

Munich. In order to encourage the motivation of staff members, numerous businesses rely on the Reiss Profile. In the hotel industry, the personality test, which is supposed to measure 16 basic desires, is on the rise. But the test does not only request very private information; it is also controversial in other issues. "Becoming rich is one of the most important things in my life", "I love parties", "It is hard for me to bear discomfort and pain", "If I am insulted by somebody, it is an eye for an eye", "I love afters and desserts" – those who answer the 128 questions of the Reiss Profile are often astonished. Many questions, at least at first glance, have nothing to do with professional life but concern very private matters.

CEO turnover: Hire & fire
27.6.2012

London. The turnover of CEOs amongst the world’s 50 largest hotel companies doubled in 2011, compared with 2009, with 12% of companies now being led by a new chief executive. A study reveals a rise in the turnover of CEOs in the sector but also that company's are becoming increasingly conservative in their choice.

Universities cooperate on research
7.6.2012

Bad Honnef/The Hague. The International University Bad Honnef Bonn and the Hotel School The Hague will in future work more closely together in research, education and consultation. A memorandum of understanding has been signed.

VIP News

Arne M. Sorenson passed away

HI+Arne M. Sorenson passed away

Arne M. Sorenson.Photo: Marriott International

Bethesda. "It is with profound sadness that Marriott International announces that Arne M. Sorenson, President and CEO, unexpectedly passed away on February 15, 2021," Marriott International told a few minutes ago. In May 2019, the company announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On February 2, 2021, Marriott shared the news that Arne Sorenson would temporarily reduce his schedule to facilitate more demanding treatment for pancreatic cancer.

He became the third CEO in Marriott's history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname. A visionary leader, he put the company on a strong growth trajectory that included the $13-billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure as CEO, Arne Sorenson was tireless in driving the company's progress, creating opportunities for associates, growth for owners and franchisees and results for the company’s shareholders. Known for his leadership on difficult national and global issues, he  steered Marriott to make significant progress on diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability and human trafficking awareness.

"Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being," said J.W. Marriott, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. "Arne loved every aspect of this business and relished time spent touring our hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and position Marriott for growth. But the roles he relished the most were as husband, father, brother and friend. On behalf of the Board and Marriott's hundreds of thousands of associates around the world, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Arne’s wife and four children. We share your heartbreak, and we will miss Arne deeply."

There will surely be hardly anyone in the industry who does not share the grief of J.W. Marriott, Jr. / kn

 

Looking ahead

HI+Looking ahead

Wiesbaden. Arne Sorenson remains CEO of Marriott, but hands over to two younger employees during his recovery. At the Italian Baglioni Hotels, there was a farewell and a new start in marketing. In Germany, the Amano Group continues to expand with Zeèv Rosenberg. Travel Charme handed over new properties to two experienced managers, and an experienced employee returned to the Lindenhof Lifestyle DolceVita Resort in South Tyrol.

New managers and new structures

HI+New managers and new structures

Wiesbaden. Franck Gervais moved from Accor to Pierre & Vacances, Georg Schmickler now heads the hotel division at DER Touristik. Florian Daniel took over a new position at Deutsche Hospitality. Luc Boschmans is now a hotel expert at Tristan Capital, Rami Z. Sayess Regional VP for Four Seasons in Bahrain, Denis Martin GM of Maslina Resort in Hvar and Markos E. Tzamalis COO at Phaea in Crete. Lisa Edelmann moves to Me & All Hannover. HBI is strengthening its residential and serviced apartment team.

New year, new challenges

HI+New year, new challenges

Wiesbaden. Exciting changes at the end of the year: Among others, André Meier moved up at Dolder Hotel AG, Dietmar Gunz said goodbye to FTI's operations and handed over to Ralph Schiller and Constantin von Bülow. Alexander Doerr moved to Vela Hotels, Connor Ryterski now heads prizeotel alone and Sandra Diaz moved from Event to Signo Hospitality. But there was also sad news: Gordon Butch Stewart, founder of Sandals Hotels passed away.

New responsibilities

HI+New responsibilities

Augsburg.Robert Herr has left the Bürgenstock Resort near Lucerne and handed it over to a new GM. Mandarin Oriental appoints new Director of Marketing & Commerce, BNP Paribas Real Estate strengthens its management board with two new seats, Susanne von Moltke joins the board of Relais & Châteaux. The Base establishes an advisory board, the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry BTW elected a new presidium, Carsten Colmorgen manages the Dorint Kurfürstendamm and the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg has a new director and a new deputy.

New leaders

HI+New leaders

Augsburg. The Base appoints a Vice President Real Estate, Andreas Magnus manages two new swiss Kempinski hotels, Karl J. Pojer leaves Hapag Lloyd Cruises and the Hotel Association Germany has elected its board.

New CEO Europe for Choice Hotels

HI+New CEO Europe for Choice Hotels

Augsburg. Choice Hotels strengthens the importance of the European portfolio. To this end, two new positions are joining the management team: a new CEO Europe and a Finance Director for Europe.

Change and cluster

HI+Change and cluster

Augsburg. Accor appointed a new Group Chief Commercial Officer, Fabio Datteroni has moved to Saturnia di Terme, Premier Inn is expanding its middle management with four Cluster Managers in Germany, Falk Bartels is responsible for the pre-opening at Leonardo Royal Nuremberg, and Christof Keller has been appointed Director at Rheinhotel Dreesen.

New and proven heads

HI+New and proven heads

Augsburg. Daniela Schade's comeback leads her to Deutsche Hospitality, Achat Hotels appointed a new head of procurement and the GNTB elected its board for the next three years.

New tasks, new positions

HI+New tasks, new positions

Augsburg. Marriott has promoted Satya Anand to the new President EMEA. Marcus Bernhardt and Ulrich Johannwille took up their position as CEO and CFO of Deutsche Hospitality on 1 November, Siegfried Nierhaus returns to Deutsche Hospitality as VP Middle East, Fotis Fakes is promoted to Senior Director Operations & Commercial Int. Resort Hotels. Fabio Leoni now manages the Hotel Le Massif in Valle d'Aosta, Ruby Hotels strengthens its entire HR team and Ruby Workspaces becomes a separate business unit, also in terms of personnel. Robert Petroviċ leaves The Ritz-Carlton Berlin.

New trust

HI+New trust

Augsburg. Jasper Muller, formerly citizenM, has thematically entered Serviced Apartments. Club Med has appointed a CEO for Europe and Africa and the Graf von Moltke Group has appointed a new CEO for all hotel activities.

Going for a new job or extension

HI+Going for a new job or extension

Augsburg. Dr. Peter Fiedler has been appointed CFO at Kempinski, Walter Marcheselli remains chairman of Best Western Italy, Peter Martin takes over the Steigenberger Bad Neuenahr and his colleague Thomas Swieca becomes the GM at the Steigenberger Inselhotel Konstanz. Sascha Wagner takes over the Intercity Wiesbaden and Sarah Bartel will run the me and all hotel in Ulm. Elections were held at Hotrec.

Welcome and Goodbye

HI+Welcome and Goodbye

Augsburg. TUI is restructuring its Group management. Leanne Harwood becomes IHG's COO for EMEA, her predecessor Pascal Gauvin retires and Simon Betty becomes CEO Europe at Adina. Willem van der Zee has left Event Hotels, Christoph Hager Zoku Wyndham appoints four new regional managers. Ruby Hotels promoted another two colleagues in Development. Consultant Michael Hirst leaves CBRE, Pogda Demircan is head of mrp hotels in Istanbul. There are further changes at RIU Dubai-Deira, InterCity and Vicotor's Erfurt.

Accor now has only two regions in Europe

HI+Accor now has only two regions in Europe

Paris. Accor is adapting to the new circumstances through Corona and its asset light strategy and is changing its organisational structure: Five regions in Europe so far will become two. In addition, Franck Gervais, CEO Accor Europe, officially left this week.

Mourning for Rudy Münster

HI+Mourning for Rudy Münster

Augsburg. The industry mourns the death of former Kempinski board member Rudy Münster. Anna Spjuth is appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Scandic, Daniella Boeken joins the management team at Ruby, Boris Simm is promoted to Group Vice President Operations at Ruby and Benjamin Dietsche has been promoted to Director of the German-speaking countries at Relais & Chateaux. Walter Pint takes over Arborea Marina in Neustadt, Eduard Singer left Novum Hospitality.

New responsibilities

HI+New responsibilities

Augsburg. Franck Arnold is Managing Director of The Savoy London and responsible for two Sofitel and the planned Fairmont Windsor. Soner Berke is Managing Director of Ospedia, Ksenia Muzykantova was appointed Group Manager Sales/Marketing at the Hospitality Collection in Italy. Gunther Hingsammer joined Soravia to strengthen investor relations.

Changes

HI+Changes

Augsburg. The newly founded UI Real Estate Digital appoints two managing directors, Dr. Ulrich Johannwille moves from Condor to Steigenberger as CFO, Ascan Kókai changes from the hotel operator NH to a retail specialist. Anees Shinnara is Director of the newly opened IntercityHotel in Oman, Claire Martin and Sven Flory support the Bürgenstock Resorts management, Kamil Madej becomes GM at the Lindner Prague Hotel and Aneta Antonucci again manages the spa of the Seehotel Niedernberg.

Breaking News: Marcus Bernhardt appointed new CEO of Deutsche Hospitality

HI+Breaking News: Marcus Bernhardt appointed new CEO of Deutsche Hospitality

Marcus Bernhardt.Photo: Claire Lise Havet

Frankfurt/M. With effect from November 1, 2020, the Supervisory Board of Steigenberger Hotels AG has appointed Marcus Bernhardt as CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG/Deutsche Hospitality. He succeeds Thomas Willms, who resigned his mandate a week ago and left the company immediately. Bernhardt was CCO at the time when the current Chairman of the Supervisory Board, André Witschi, was CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG.

Marcus Bernhardt comes from the Europcar Mobility Group, where as Group Chief Commercial Officer from 2013 to 2016 he is responsible for the areas of Global Sales, E-Commerce, Revenue Capacity Management, B2B and B2C Sales, Partnerships and Global Franchise, as well as Customer Care and Quality Management.

After the IPO of the company in 2015, he was appointed Managing Director for International Business in 2017, where he significantly influenced the expansion via franchise and alliances.

Born in Switzerland, he has been involved in the hotel industry for many years through various management positions. Marcus Bernhardt already worked for Steigenberger Hotels AG from 2004 to 2010 as Executive Vice President Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts and Group Chief Commercial Officer.

Change in the management floors

HI+Change in the management floors

Augsburg. The month of August brought a wealth of personal data. The management of the Italian star hotels was strengthened. And Langham Hospitality is building its presence in Europe with a hospitality weight from Dubai: Doris Greif, previously Senior VP Operations MEASA. Club Med has a new managing director for Germany. In addition, there have been many changes among the hotel directors. And Hotour Hotel Consulting is gradually handing over the reins to the next generation.

Breaking News: German hospitality CEO Thomas Willms does not extend his mandate

HI+Breaking News: German hospitality CEO Thomas Willms does not extend his mandate

Frankfurt/M. Ten months after the takeover of Steigenberger Hotels AG by the Chinese hotel group Huazhu, CEO Thomas Willms is surprisingly resigning from the Management Board - and thus ending his contractual relationship two and a half years earlier than planned. A successor seems to be in sight.

{"host":"hospitalityinside.com","user-agent":"Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)","accept":"text/html,application/xhtml+xml,application/xml;q=0.9,image/avif,image/webp,image/apng,*/*;q=0.8,application/signed-exchange;v=b3;q=0.7","accept-encoding":"gzip, deflate, br, zstd","cache-control":"no-cache","pragma":"no-cache","priority":"u=0, i","sec-ch-ua":"\"HeadlessChrome\";v=\"129\", \"Not=A?Brand\";v=\"8\", \"Chromium\";v=\"129\"","sec-ch-ua-mobile":"?0","sec-ch-ua-platform":"\"Windows\"","sec-fetch-dest":"document","sec-fetch-mode":"navigate","sec-fetch-site":"none","sec-fetch-user":"?1","upgrade-insecure-requests":"1","x-forwarded-for":"18.224.64.19","x-forwarded-host":"hospitalityinside.com","x-forwarded-port":"443","x-forwarded-proto":"https","x-forwarded-server":"17fef66d9534","x-real-ip":"18.224.64.19"}REACT_APP_OVERWRITE_FRONTEND_HOST:hospitalityinside.com &&& REACT_APP_GRAPHQL_ENDPOINT:http://app/api/v1