Topic HR

News & Stories

Focus HR: Staff shortages in the hotel industry in German speaking Europe
Huge shortages in sales and management
14.12.2007

Wiesbaden. The staff shortage in German speaking Europe is currently still a manageable problem. Above all, it's the fields of sales, congress sales and management where quality staff are lacking. And the situation isn't getting better.

Focus HR: A prince and bestseller author about today's youth
No moral courage, a victim of flower-power
14.12.2007

Basel. Today's hotel industry often complains about the poor bringing up of young employees that employers have to make up for in order not to be considered miserable service providers. Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate, 59, great-nephew of the last Ethiopian emperor and author of the bestseller Manners", blames the flower-power generation for the lack of manners. Silvia Pfenninger elicited from the cosmopolitan another perspective about current human resources problems.

Career fairs all over Germany
30.11.2007

Duesseldorf. The German YourCareerGroup AG organised the "Recruiting Days" in 2002 and this concept has now been taken up again. Career fairs will enter the next round all over Germany in April 2008.

Oliver Hopp, owner of the Four Seasons Provence and the Buehlerhoehe 
Keeping the (real estate) values in view
2.11.2007

Terre Blanche. The slim young man with hair down to his shoulders symbolises the new generation of hotel investors: lifestyle-oriented and focused on yield. Despite this, Oliver Hopp has a sense of values - personal values and real estate values. The eldest son of the German SAP founder Dietmar Hopp has increasingly been dealing with the hotel real estate of the family empire worth a billion. The family almost never appears in the media. Consequently, it is even more agreeable to meet directly with Oliver Hopp and the family's owner representative, Ulrich Honold, in an informal atmosphere in the Four Seasons at Terre Blanche in the Provence region in France. The luxury hotel is one of three hotels belonging to the Hopp family. Of course there may be more hotels - but not at all costs.

The Peninsula Tokyo: New services and a unique training programme  
Ambassadors of innovation
28.9.2007

Tokyo. Even prior to the opening of the new hotel in Tokyo, the Asian Peninsula Group paid 20 employees a full wage for more than one whole year, plus flights home and and and...Up to now, the project remains a unique undertaking. For the Japanese capital, the same guiding philosophy was applied as for Beverly Hills: In this company, in which prestige is everything, the chance only presents itself once. With the opening of the luxury hotel at the beginning of this month, new innovative services were presented for the first time: the nail dryer, for instance - created by Peninsula's own research department for room technology.

Reto Wittwer on the road - 8300 jobs offered
Kempinski looks for new blood
21.9.2007

Frankfurt/M. Kempinski Hotels' management strategy will continue to concentrate on Europe, the Middle East, China and Africa, as CEO Reto Wittwer stressed as part of his current tour "It's all about people" through all Kempinski hotels. The aim of the Wittwer "roadshow" is to explain the current Kempinski strategy to all staff and managers and to motivate them into providing active support in the search for new management talent. Kempinski employees will also learn the role hotel owners play in the selection of managers.

Private equity company Auctus takes over University in Bad Honnef
Strengthen, network, sell
20.7.2007

Bad Honnef/Munich. The International University of Applied Sciences in Bad Honnef/Bonn has been sold for a two digit million Euro figure to the private equity company Auctus in Munich. Auctus Managing Director, Ingo Krocke, sees himself more as a "honeybee" than "locust". The acquisition is about creating added value even at Bad Honnef university. Dr Florian Schuetz was appointed as Buy-in Manager, a 37 year old economist and entrepreneur who has been President of the UAS since 9 July. For Auctus it's the first but certainly not the last step into tourism and education. In Bad Honnef, the first clear changes will presumably be felt with the start of the new semester in September 2008.

PPP - Pflaums Posthotel Pegnitz - to celebrate its 300th anniversary
History continues
8.6.2007

Pegnitz. Red patent-leather shoes and bow tie with curly hair and always with a smile. He could be a conductor or artist. Andreas Pflaum is a peacock among the hoteliers - and an unconventional thinker who, in truth, belongs to the quiet elite of his kind. But as his hotel, the PPP - Pflaums Posthotel Pegnitz - is located in the back of beyond, not everybody notices this. The former Thurn and Taxis posthouse celebrates its 300th anniversary this year. And the guest list of the internationally renowned art, design and event hotel may be celebrated for being unparalleled. The last years of the medium-class hotel have been dominated by financial balancing acts. For in Pegnitz, not the hotel filed for bankruptcy, but the financing bank. In these days, in early June, Andreas Pflaum finally succeeded in "pulling himself out of the morass using his own strength like the Baron of Muenchhausen did," as he says beaming with joy. A review with foresight, an example for Germany's creative medium-sized business.

Academic qualifications increasingly important
8.6.2007

Bad Honnef. Managers in the hotel industry are subject to ever increasing demands. Members of the German Hotel Directors Association agree on this at least. Yet when asked about the need for academic qualification, many views are to be found amongst HDV members. A survey.

Leading US hotel chains urging Bush
18.5.2007

New York. Six leaders of the U.S. largest lodging companies have joined together to urge Congress and the Administration to end the impasse and take action on comprehensive immigration reform.

VIP News

Promotion to the turn of the year

HI+Promotion to the turn of the year

Wiesbaden. Prizeotel CEO hires a second Managing Director for the German market. At Dormero, Marcus Maximilian Wöhrl took over 100% of the company shares. Sigrid Köntopp became Senior Director Operations at Intercity Hotel, her predecessor Robert Boller Managing Director of Maxx Hotel GmbH. Ahmet Antepli leads the Kempinski Hotel The Dome in Antalya as General Manager and Benedikt Roos is in charge of the two 25hours hotels in Frankfurt. His predecessor Andreas Schnuerer moves to Hamburg as Key Account Manager for 25hours. Michael Artner is now Assistant General Manager at the Steigenberger Drei Moren in Augsburg and Nikolas Benedikt Grasmugg Deputy General Manager at the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm.

Coming and going

HI+Coming and going

Augsburg. In Italy, the founder of the Statuto Group was arrested. Deutsche Hospitality will welcome a new head of HR for the Group next April, while Anja Bachmann has decided to leave Meininger Hotels.

Handover

HI+Handover

Augsburg. Klaus Assmann starts for the second time at Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Marc K. Thiel says goodbye to Soravia Germany, and the Austrian tourism consultant Manfred Kohl hands over his lifework to a management team. Dr Michael Frenzel was also confirmed in office as President of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry.

Big and small changes

HI+Big and small changes

Augsburg. After, as announced in May, Design Hotels founder Claus Sendlinger resigned at the end of November, a new Board has now formed – with a Marriott manager as chairman. Staycity appoints Wayne Arthur as CFO as Colm Whooley steps down. Heribert Gangl leaves Hamilton Hotel Partners in London. Rocco Forte Hotels has announced a GM for their second hotel in Rome. The Medical Wellness Resort Graeflicher Park in Germany has also appointed a new head for new projects. And David Kellett joins Invesco Real Estate's hotel fund management team.

The career wheel is spinning

HI+The career wheel is spinning

Wiesbaden. Dagmar Symes is the new General Manager of Anantara in Oman and Coro Ortiz de Artinano is the Commercial Director of The Dedica Anthology. At Sofitel Frankfurt Opera, Florian Schuetz became General Manager and Stefanie Schuster became Director of Sales & Marketing. At Maritim, Heike Schober takes over the management of the hotel in Munich and Frank Wilberg of the hotel in Ulm. Andreas Wieckenberg becomes General Manager of the Schlosshotel Kronberg; Hannes Horsch will manage the Romantik Hotel on the Wartburg in future. And, last but not least, A&O has appointed Chris Probst as its new Sales Manager for the DACH region.

Promotion in and around the hotel industry

HI+Promotion in and around the hotel industry

Wiesbaden. AccorHotels appoints Pierre-Charles Grob as CEO of Availpro and Fastbooking. Christian Hempel is the new Senior Vice President of Global Loyalty and Partnerships at IHG. Rüdiger von Stengel retires from Art-Invest as operational Managing Director. Aylin Nöske becomes GM at the IntercityHotel Dubai Jaddaf Waterfront and Frank Schönherr takes over the management of the Dorint Hotel Cologne am Heumarkt. Anton Birnbaum becomes GM in the Le Méridien Hamburg and Ralf Meister is the new manager of the a-ja resort Ruhpolding.

Big steps

HI+Big steps

Augsburg. Marriott International appoints Liam Brown as new head of Europe and successor of Amy McPherson. Radisson has appointed a new VP IT Service Management. Alexander Dürr takes the next career step at NH Hotels' corporate level. Jean-Jacques Gauer and Michael Mücke strengthen the supervisory boards of renowned hotel groups. Fabian Engels will further develop Althoff's new Urban Loft brand; Achiam Laurs will succeed him as Regional Director at Lindner Hotels. An experienced Kempinski manager takes over the boutique hotel Mauritzhof in Münster. And the young Bold Group from Munich hires a young manager from Munich for their property in the Giesing district.

Boss change

HI+Boss change

Augsburg. From April 2019, Marriott's European boss Amy McPherson will be pursuing her own plans in the USA; London rumours have already brought up the name of a possible successor. A former Starwood man now manages the luxury hotel Zur Tenne in Kitzbühel, Austria. There are new manangers in the Lindner Hotels in Hamburg and on the German island of Sylt, and the Schlosshotel Kronberg near Frankfurt has appointed a new "second" man. DER Touristik has reoccupied the top of its worldwide destination management.

Personal news from Germany and the world

HI+Personal news from Germany and the world

Wiesbaden. AccorHotels has appointed Sami Nasser and Marc Descrozaille as COOs for the Middle East. Ulrich Heim is General Manager of Swissôtel Bremen and Markus Wölflik of Steigenberger Hotel Zingst. Tatiana Kaczmarska takes over the management of the Premier Inn Hotel in Munich-Schwabing, P. David Kurzböck and Sonja Holzhauer will represent Konen & Lorenzen recruitment in the newly opened office in Vienna. Stefan Menden left Secret Escapes.

New job opportunities

HI+New job opportunities

Augsburg. Peter Verhoeven has discreetly left Booking.com. Ian Biglands finds new luck at a company specialized on nursing home properties, Chris-Norman Sauer climbs the latter at Premier Inn. Christian von Rechenberg is now second in charge at Baur au Lac Zurich. In Vienna, Gerhard Mitrovits hands over the Palais Hansen to Florian Wille. Robinson Club completes its leadership team again, and Christian Boell now develops the comprehensive cruise strategy for DER Touristik.

Farewells and Beginnings

HI+Farewells and Beginnings

Wiesbaden. Michael Zager has left IHG, Dirk Führer Falkensteiner, Stephan Demmerle NH Hotels and Tina Froboese Hotel Affairs Consulting. Andreas Drobniewski became Cluster Manager at Victor's Residenz Hotels, Ralf Adamczyk is now Director of the Welcome Hotel in Bad Arolsen and Andreas Kriener manages the Welcome Hotel Frankfurt. The Achat Premium Walldorf/Reilingen is now managed by Franziska Kubiciel. At Hotrec, the Dane Jens Zimmer Christensen was elected as successor of President Susanne Kraus-Winkler.

Resignations and changes

HI+Resignations and changes

Wiesbaden. At Rotana Hotels in Dubai, Guy Hutchinson succeeds Omer Kaddouri, who is moving to Europe, as President and CEO. At Hyatt, Joan Bottarini will succeed Patrick Grismer as Chief Financial Officer. Kerstin Gilbert is now Regional Sales Director at Premier Inn Germany, Ian Biglands will leave the group. And Björn Achstaller has taken over as General Manager of the Dorint Airport Hotel Zurich.

New jobs in the DACH region

HI+New jobs in the DACH region

Wiesbaden. Financial expert Michael Kowalzik has joined Brera as Managing Director and shareholder. Tim Weiland becomes GM of The Alpina Gstaad and Susan Fahrnholz Director of Maritim Hafenhotel Rheinsberg. Dorint announced new managers in Bitburg, Bremen and Cologne Junkersdorf with Kerstin Kohnen, Daniela Mäckle and Jörg Senior.

On to new shores

HI+On to new shores

Wiesbaden. AccorHotels promotes Chris Cahill and Jean-Jacques Morin. Constantin and Julia von Deines take over the management of the Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden in Austria. Christoph Grödel becomes host in the Schwabinger Wahrheit of Geisel family in Munich. Marion Gigl becomes Head of Marketing & Sales at Robinson Club and Kathrin Jung joins CBRE as Director for EMEA Hotel Investment Properties where Colin became Low Head of Hotel Investment Properties.

New career steps in Europe

HI+New career steps in Europe

Wiesbaden. Duncan O'Rourke will join AccorHotels as COO Central Europe in addition to his duties in the luxury sector, and IHG will fill two new regional positions in Europe with Mario Maxeiner and Eric Viale. Nikolai Bloyd is moving to Geisel Hotels as COO, Salvatore Longo is the new GM of the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio and Gianmarco Nasti became Managing Director of the Tambolo Talasso Resort in Tuscany. Steffen Seichter becomes GM of the Scandic Emporio Hamburg and Thomas Marusczyk runs the Welcome Hotel Euskirchen. Stefan Schwind is now director of the Hotel Kloster Johannisberg in Geisenheim. Christian Hinteregger became Managing Director at PKF tourismexperts and Philipp Kunz joins Union Investment.

Rejuvenation into top positions

HI+Rejuvenation into top positions

Augsburg. With the complete takeover of Mövenpick by AccorHotels, Olivier Chavy has resigned as CEO at Mövenpick. Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz streamlines its management. Achat Hotels appointed Philipp von Bodman as new managing director for the group; Wilhelm Kotter will retire. Erik van Kessel takes over operations at Maritim Hotels. Ruby CEO Michael Struck appointed six employees to the extended management board. Alltours founder Willli Verhuven makes himself chairman of the management board. Consultant Bernd Maesse and hotelier Edgar Lichter have joined forces to form a consulting company. And Lore König, an international marketing and sales professional, has joined Lobster Experience.

New challenges

HI+New challenges

Augsburg. AccorHotels puts its own leader in place at South African Mantis Group: Philippe Baretaud. Axel Bethke has been appointed General Manager of the Kempinski Hotel Bahia, Estepona-Marbella, Spain. Chair-moving on the executive floor of the Dormero Hotels: Carsten Kritz becomes the new COO, the previous COO is promoted to CEO. In Bad Honnef, the former Avendi Hotel will soon be given a new brand name and Thomas Steger will lead the hotel into the next few years.

With new jobs into the second Half

HI+With new jobs into the second Half

Wiesbaden. GBI AG restructures the company, Reiner Nittka and Markus Beugel take on additional functions. Developer Ulrich Demetz has moved from Motel One to Kronberg International. Developer Connor Ryterski is now managing director of prizeotel. Liam Doyle supports A&O as COO, Oliver Ramm as new Director of Marketing for Scandic Hotels Europe. Thomas Peruzzo builds up the group Artprojekt Hospitality as Managing Director, just as Harbr Hotels is setting up structures for its first hotel openings. Marc Guenther is now GM at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea Jordan. Onyx Hospitality appointed Michael Gaehler GM for the Oriental Residence Bangkok. And with Chris Crowley, HRS has gained an expert in the field of corporate travel.

Power Woman, Power Man

HI+Power Woman, Power Man

Augsburg. Kurt Straub has been appointed VP Operations for the MEA and Southwest Asia with Hyatt. Arab Central Hotels have found an internationally experienced man for their new property on Palm Dubai. And at Bayern Tourismus in Munich, an influential association in Germany, a hotel expert is now at the top.

Complex hotel careers

HI+Complex hotel careers

Wiesbaden. The new CEO of Small Luxury Hotels, Jean-Francois Ferrett, comes from Relais & Châteaux. Kempinski has appointed Amanda Elder as Chief Commercial Officer, a new position in the company. In Arosa, Michael and Stephanie Lehnort take over management of the Tschuggen Hotel Group's Valsana Hotel & Apartment, and Christian Klein becomes the new group CFO. André Otto is the new Regional Director of Leisure Sales for Louvre Germany, Marko and Daniela Achilles will head the Romantik Hotel Der Adelshof in Schwaebisch Hall.

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