Topic HR

News & Stories

Newcomer: Helen Princess of Oettingen-Wallerstein, Interior Designer 
Staying authentic, at home and in the hotel
5.9.2008

Fremdingen Country estates, hunting and holiday homes have up to now dominated her resume, only recently has she begun to venture into the world of hotels: Helen, Princess of Oettingen-Wallerstein from Fremdingen near Stuttgart, has created a representative interior for the Graeflicher Park Hotel & Spa in Bad Driburg. In Norway, she created one of the first boutique hotels and recently she's been awarded a further project for a German stately hotel. Her noble descent has opened many a door and with her individualist style, she's not only made friends. "I would like to de-stereotype," she exclaims, "as only hotels with unique characteristics will survive! Worldwide." Her focus, the authentic restoration of historic buildings, has moulded such thoughts, yet she's equally open to working on new buildings.

Study: coincidence and not talent is decisive for entering tourism industry
Discouraging working hours
5.9.2008

Alpbach. Austria's growing resort hotel business is complaining about the shortage of experts and assistants more than ever. An Austrian study shows impressively why the drive for the hotel business has been so low. A core message that applies not only to the Austrian hotel industry - which is characterised by medium-sized businesses - but also to all German-speaking countries: very often, the decision to take over a hotel or a restaurant occurs through coincidence, not talent.

Employer rankings stand high, only the hotel industry fails
"We all slept through it until now"
22.8.2008

Munich. The best, most popular and most attractive companies - employer rankings are meanwhile like coals in Newcastle. More and more companies are taking advantage of the ranking lists in the battle to attract the most talented employees. Only the hotel industry has failed to recognise the opportunity. All the same, hoteliers are advised to consider carefully what competition they enter.

Heads of Personell meet youngsters
15.8.2008

Dusseldorf. Getting to know new companies, finding potential new employers... And the other way round, hotel companies presenting themselves to potential employees. The career fairs organised by "Your Careergroup plc" have set dates in Dusseldorf.

Internet: Now employees can evaluate their employers as well
Severe words, helpless hotels
15.8.2008

Munich. After the introduction of hotel evaluations in the Internet, there are now platforms which enable employees to evaluate their employers anonymously. Hotels often do badly in this respect, and they are helpless in dealing with the partly severe evaluations. There are only a handful of companies like Accor that implement strategic tools for internal communication with employees. Lawyers of employers warn employees, while the Internet portals defend themselves against the accusation of being nothing other than a platform for the frustrated or a means of agitation.

Singapore is booming, just like the rest of Asia - Cornell on the staff
There is a shortage of staff, not managers
8.8.2008

Singapore. By 2015, the number of visitors to Singapore is expected to double to 17 million; the  income from tourism is expected to triple to 30 billion Singapore dollars and it is estimated that more than a quarter of a million people will be working in the tourism sector. But Singapore is only a small piece in the large Asian puzzle. According to the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management, China and India alone are in need of more than two million workers each in the hotel industry. In this challenging, dynamic environment, the first "ITB Asia" starts on October 22 and human resources will also be an issue for discussion. Judy Siguaw, Dean at the Cornell-Nanyang Institute, a branch of the renowned Cornell University in the US, has been observing the construction boom as well as the staff development in Asia.

Cornell offers a Master's degree for the hotel industry in Asia as well
Global studies: opportunity for Europeans too
8.8.2008

Singapore. Since 2006, the Cornell University has been offering a Master's course for the hotel industry as part of a joint venture with the Nanyang Business School in Singapore. The classes are still small, but due to the enormous growth in Asia, the course of study will become increasingly interesting for Americans and Europeans too. The new programme addresses employees who want to speed up their careers or aspire to change careers.

NEWCOMER: Markus Semer, 32, Kempinski Board Member
Reto`s translator
25.7.2008

Geneva. Young, dynamic, successful - this zippy cliché is simply unavoidable in the face of the flowing blazer of this 1.94-metre tall and slim man approaching the coffee table in the lobby of the Kempinski Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Munich. Markus Semer has arrived. Or better: he is present, apparent, and perceptible. In the polished-up lobby of the grand hotel, he clarifies what Kempinski does not want to be like in future: slow and antiquated. On May 1, 2008, at the age of 31, he advanced to Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs & Strategic Planning in the Managing Board of Directors of Kempinski Hotels & Resorts. Chairman Reto Witwer will celebrate his 60th birthday this year, and Semer could be his son. The unspoken question behind this statement makes Markus Semer roll his eyes reluctantly, but he smartly answers: "You can view it like that: two generations sitting at one table!" A newcomer chats about himself, the industry, Kempinski and strategies.

Majority on call on holiday
25.7.2008

Eschborn. A worldwide survey of almost 12,000 participants conducted by an online career portal has revealed that almost two thirds of all employees can also be reached by colleagues or customers whilst on holiday. Above all the Spanish and the French are real workaholics.

Summer courses for Hospitality Real Estate Management
16.5.2008

Bad Honnef/Bonn. With twelve students, the first "Hospitality Real Estate Professional" study course has been launched at the International University of Applied Sciences in Bad Honnef near Bonn. This summer's course, hold in English language will already welcome students from Asia and Eastern Europe. The course, which will conclude with a certificate, is unique in German speaking Europe.

VIP News

Personnel announcements: Mark Pearce deceased

HI+Personnel announcements: Mark Pearce deceased

Augsburg. Mark Pearce, Senior Vice President International Division of Choice Hotels died completely unexpectedly last Friday. After 25 years with the company, he leaves a huge gap behind as a person and executive. The German resort hotel group Travel Charme is expanding its management team with well-known minds. René Schappner moves from IHG to Colliers, where he succeeds Andreas Erben in January. Following the merger of GS Star and Rilano, Holger Behrens, the previous Rilano managing director, becomes managing director of the associated holding company Gorgeous Smiling Hotels. IntercityHotel welcomes four new directors. There are also young and new managers at Victor's Residenz-Hotels.

Careers from all over the world

HI+Careers from all over the world

Wiesbaden. John Davidson was appointed President and CEO of Four Seasons and Anton Tardif COO of the Karma Group in Europe. Federico Versari is the new GM of Helvetia & Bristol Firenze Starhotels Collezione and Niclas Corbach Regional General Manager Munich at Gorgeous Smiling Hotels. On 1 June, Norbert Kunz will take over as Managing Director of the German Tourism Association.

New minds from other industries

HI+New minds from other industries

Augsburg. Accor's current COO Europe Luxe has a new name from September: Marc Dardenne. Avani Hotels get their VP Operations from the new sister company NH. Radisson's long-term CFO Knut Kleiven hands over to Sergio Amodeo, a software specialist. IHG hires Joanna Kurowska as Director Operations Luxury & Managed Hotels for Northern Europe. Premier Inn Investment continues to increase its staff in Germany – this time with a Development Director and Managing Director. Dormeo has formed a new supervisory board. The new Director in the Best Western Wiesbaden is called Joachim Freche. And Union Investment hires a senior investment manager for its hospitality sector.

Expertise in demand

HI+Expertise in demand

Augsburg. Zoku's new COO Jens Gmiat comes from Ruby Hotels. Andreas Meier moves from Zurich to Andermatt, but stays with Radisson. The Arcotel Kaiserwasser Wien is bringing in a new Vienna expert, and Steigenberger manager Ilgo Hagen Höhn has just joined Vienna House. At the EHL in Lausanne, the new COO Maxime Medina will also support CEO Michel Rochat.

More growth, more brains

HI+More growth, more brains

Augsburg. Deutsche Hospitality hired a new VIP Group Sales, Achat Hotels hired an operation manager. Prince of Hessen expands the hotel part with a sales director. The Best Western hotel Hohenzollern in Osnabrck and the Novotel Erlangen set far on heads from the own rows.

New engagement or retrieval

HI+New engagement or retrieval

Augsburg. Althoff Hotels is getting a CFO from a DIY store chain, Dorint's parent company Honestis is hiring a hotel professional for Human Resources, the Atlantic Hotel in Kiel welcomes a man from the group's own ranks, and the Berlin hostel chain a&o has brought back a young talent.

New structures, new minds

HI+New structures, new minds

Wiesbaden. Olivier Harnisch is no longer the CEO of Emaar Hospitality in Dubai; he has left the company. Alper Can Bulcum is now General Manager of the San Clemente Palace Kempinski in Venice, and Oliver Gerber is General Manager of the new Campell Gray Alex in Zurich. Sandro Bohrmann and Tina Groth-Müller have assumed management positions at the Hessische Hausstiftung. Nico Nusmeier succeeds Klaus Naeve as Chairman of the Management Board at Schörghuber Group Munich, and Stefanie Salwender was appointed Director Consulting at Treugast.

Spring brings many changes

HI+Spring brings many changes

Wiesbaden. COO Aurelio Vázquez leaves Iberostar. Katie Fallon from Hilton becomes deputy chairman of the board at ITP. Boris Simm is a member of Ruby's Executive Board now. Jörg Herrmann became CEO of Holiday Home and Joelle Edwards-Tongs SVP Marketing, Sales and Communications at the Oetker Collection. The HR Group is restructuring its commercial department. Mathias Schotten and Andrea Latzel are now with Premier Inn. Kai Behrens heads Kempinski Istrien and Thies C. Bruhns becomes GM at the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm. Christoph Schmidinger becomes GM in the Four Seasons Madrid and Thomas Gretenkord joins the DFV. Steigenberger appoints six new managers for the Egyptian hotels. There are also personal details of the associations.

New COOs, Creatives and GMs

HI+New COOs, Creatives and GMs

Augsburg. The new COO of Six Senses Hotels has experience at InterContinental and Regent. Welcome Hotels in Germany also welcome a new COO. At the same time, TUI's Nordic specialist also takes on the new role as Chief Creative Officer. B&B Hotels hires an e-commerce and revenue management specialist. Besides there is director change in two Intercity Hotels and the Achat Premium in Dortmund/Bochum is pleased about its new "old" director.

One construction director and three GMs

HI+One construction director and three GMs

Augsburg. In view of 35 projects in the pipeline, Premier Inn Germany has appointed a construction director. In the two 25hours Hotels in Zurich, Andri Bodmer will take over from Anita Vogler. In Hilton's Curio Collection Hotel, the Aleph Rome, an Italian luxury hotel takes over. And Steigenberger Munich hires a city connoisseur from the Arabella/Starwood Group.

Two GMs and one entrepreneur

HI+Two GMs and one entrepreneur

Wiesbaden. The luxury resort L'Andana in Tuscany has a new General Manager with Vito Spalluto and Christian Gindele became General Manager of the new NH Collection Munich Bavaria in February. Marc K. Thiel is now Managing Director and Partner of Seneca Advisors.

Trust in well-known minds

HI+Trust in well-known minds

Augsburg. Ascott significantly expands its team in Europe with three corporate positions. Emaar Hospitality brings more and more internationally experienced managers to its flagships in Dubai. Rocco Forte appoints a new GM for the Verdura Resort in Sicily. TripAdvisor appoints a new president for the hotel business, prizeotel hires a head of controlling and procurement and Dorint brings a Radisson manager back on board.

New Positions

HI+New Positions

Berlin. Olivier Chavy has been appointed President of Wyndham Destinations, Jörn Stobbe is now Chairman of the Board of Union Investment and Willemijn Geels is Vice President of Development, Europe at IHG. Magdalena Jedrasik is now Sales Director of DSR Hotel Holding GmbH, Robert Minge Director of Operations of b'mine hotels. Christian Schmidt is the new General Manager at Holiday Inn Lübeck, Jan-Patrick Krüger the Regional Director of all Pandox AB hotels in Germany. Nina Eggers takes over the position of Complex Hotel Manager of The Westin Grand Munich and Sheraton München Arabellapark Hotel. With Jurek Schwarz, nhow Berlin has a new General Manager.

Single and double leads

HI+Single and double leads

Wiesbaden. Thomas Pick now leads the Aldiana Club Costa del Sol in Andalusia, the B'mine Hotels have a double leadership with Torsten Hagen and Matthias Beinlich and Grit Pauling moved from Giesing to Cologne to lead the 25hours The Circle there.

Worldwide careers

HI+Worldwide careers

Wiesbaden. At the Buergenstock Selection, Bruno Schoepfer hands the operational reins over to Saeid Heidari, Ezio A. Indiani is new president of EHMA, and Giacomo Battafarano has been appointed new General Manager of Verdura Resort by Rocco Forte, Sicily. Martin Schroedl is the GM of the new Maxx by Steigenberger in Vienna, and the HR Group announces four new additions: Ralf Gronbach, Andre Rignanese, Steffen Schumann and Peter Marek. Henning Kreckel leaves Rilano and joins IHG, Max Droll will join Quality Reservations as Co-Managing Director and the Hotel Services team of BNP Paribas Real Estate welcomes Francesco Mazza as Director National Hotel Services.

Senior Executives are repositioning themselves

HI+Senior Executives are repositioning themselves

Augsburg. Christoph Michl, CEO of the Hotel Division of the Schörghuber Group of Companies in Munich, is leaving the Group after 21 years. After 24 years, Christoph Härle has left JLL. Tina Froboese from Düsseldorf is now working as an independent consultant for hotel real estate. LVMH strengthens its hotel expertise, Airbnb has hired a transport manager, Art-Invest expands its management team. Mandarin Oriental Lake Como has a new director, as has Bettoja Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio in Rome. Mandarin Oriental Munich has a new Head of Marketing, A&O Hostels a new Head of Offline Marketing. Kurt Weber is the new GM at Arborea Marina Resort Neustadt in Lübeck Bay.

New appointments and new jobs

HI+New appointments and new jobs

Wiesbaden. Choice Hotels appoints Douglas Lisi to VP Revenue Management and Pierre & Vacances brings Jean-Marc Humbert on board as Director of Innovation and Digitisation. Husseyn Atakishiyev is the new General Manager of Six Senses Kaplankaya in Turkey. The German Dorint Hotels strengthen their leadership team in the Rhineland region. Hotel expert Karsten Jess started his own business at the turn of the year.

Premature and planned changes

HI+Premature and planned changes

Augsburg. After nearly ten years at the helm of Leading Hotels of the World, Ted Tend is leaving the company prematurely in April. Scandic has appointed Søren Faerber as the new head of Denmark. Mario Gubi is promoted to GM at the InterContinental Davos. Winfried Storm retires and leaves the Marriott Munich City Center to Jörg Kröter. Dorint starts 2019 in Switzerland with a new structure.

The expected and the unexpected

HI+The expected and the unexpected

Augsburg. Completely surprisingly, the Scandic Board replaced CEO Even Frydenberg last week. In Switzerland, Andreas Gartmann has left the Tschuggen Hotel Goup. Melià strengthens its Area Business Development at the German headquarters and welcomes two new hotel managers. After 17 years, Florian Schuetz returns from New York and takes over the Sofitel Frankfurt.

Company and role changes

HI+Company and role changes

Wiesbaden. Theodor Kubak becomes Managing Director of the new hospitality division of Arbireo Capital. Lee Kok Sun and Robert-Jan Foortse establish Acher Hotel Capital as a joint specialist for European hotel investments. Jason Simpson became VP Engineering at Choice Hotels Int. and Cristina Ramos the new operational manager of AccorHotels in Italy and Greece. Simone Sander is GM of the Dorint Hotel Herrenkrug Parkhotel in Magdeburg. Cornelia Kausch leaves Pandox after almost 13 years and becomes COO at a housing specialist. Rob Hornman is now on the road for HRS. Klaus Rohrbeck moved from AccorHotels to A&O as Head of Construction. Michaela Reitterer was confirmed as ÖHV President and in Italy Giorgio Palmucci was appointed the new President of the Italian tourism office ENIT.

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