EDC Poul Erik Bech´s hotel division: Hotelspecialist becomes partner

The well-known hotel industry business developer, Frans Barkler, becomes a partner in EDC Poul Erik Bech’s hotel division. He brings 25 years of international experience, most recently as founder of his own consultancy, Business Expansion, which he has run for the past 15 years, advising hotels on development, operations and sales in Scandinavia and Germany. He previously held senior positions at B&B Hotels, IHG InterContinental Hotels Group, and Colliers, where he also worked with hotel properties.

According to Erhvervsmæglernes Branchedata, hotels accounted for 10% of total transaction volume from January to September 2025, corresponding to deals worth more than DKK 5 billion. At the same time, Danish tourism is experiencing strong momentum, with a record number of visitors. In response to this growing focus, EDC Poul Erik Bech is strengthening its successful hotel division with the appointment of hotel advisor and business developer Frans Barkler.

”I am really looking forward to getting involved in even more hotel projects, which is the field I am truly passionate about and where my strengths and extensive network lie. EDC Poul Erik Bech is a powerful brand, and as Denmark’s largest real estate agency, they work with a wide range of hotels, inns, campsites and more. I am really looking forward to taking on even more hotel assignments. I feel I am in safe hands here, with excellent support, strong expertise and a team of talented colleagues across the country, as well as many specialists in marketing, PR, research, IT, data and other areas”

”I have already been working closely with the hotel division as an external consultant for over a year and have met many highly competent colleagues. In particular, I have worked closely with Stephen Berthelsen, head of the hotel division at EDC Poul Erik Bech, and Mads Dyhr from North Jutland. I have also taken part in several hotel group meetings and been involved in a number of hotel projects, so I already know quite a few of the agents from the 20 business centres across the country. I feel very confident about what I am joining and am bringing all my current hotel assignments and projects with me to EDC, which makes it truly exciting to further develop the business and strengthen the hotel sector,” says Frans Barkler.

Large hotel footprint

Stephen Berthelsen, head of the hotel division at EDC Poul Erik Bech, says: “We have been working with Frans Barkler in our hotel division for more than a year now. It has truly been an excellent collaboration that we have built up, which also works well in cooperation with our business centres, so he has already made his mark on the development of our hotel expertise. It became increasingly clear that he should become a permanent member and partner in our strong hotel division. Fortunately, we succeeded, and with Frans on board, we are gaining a truly strong hotel network and hotel competencies, enabling us to focus even more on advisory services, transactions, development and operational expertise within the hotel sector.

”He already has the property mindset, but he also brings additional hotel expertise and specialised knowledge in development and operations to help strengthen our clients’ businesses and, for example, improve their position in a sale. This will undoubtedly help strengthen our own business and expand our portfolio with even more hotels. Frans has a large network of investors, hotel chains, operators, leaseholders, owners and tenants within the hotel industry, which will help take our hotel division to new heights. There is no doubt that bringing him on board as a partner in our hotel division is a significant win for us.”

Hot hotels

A few years ago, EDC Poul Erik Bech established a dedicated hotel division and is now experiencing a clear increase in interest in hotels, inns and campsites.

Stephen Berthelsen continues: “So far this year, we have sold more hotels than before, and we have also taken on many new and exciting hotel listings across the country. In addition, we are involved in a number of development projects, including in collaboration with our business centres and our strong partners at AART Arkitekter. We are also working on several cases where offices are being converted into hotels, as well as on public tenders for several municipalities, providing advice and handling sales of hotel opportunities. Overall, we are seeing great investor interest in hotels, and with Frans joining the team, we are now even better equipped to advise on the purchase, sale, operation and development of hotels.”

EDC Poul Erik Bech has, among other sales, brokered the transactions of the gastronomic landmark Molskroen, Havreholm Slot, Benniksgaard Hotel, and Hotel Hvide Klit, as well as, on behalf of Freja Ejendomme, the historic Hornbæk Hospital, which is being transformed into the luxurious CORI Hornbæk Hotel. At present, the iconic Hotel Bretagne and a wide selection of other hotels, inns and campsites are on the market. Read more about hotels on the following pages.

More information

Frans Barkler, Partner, EDC Poul Erik Bech Hotel +45 5858 8378 • frba@edc.dk

Stephen Berthelsen, Partner, EDC Poul Erik Bech North Zealand +45 5858 8377 • stbe@edc.dk