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October/NOVEMBER 2019 • Vol. 5 No. 6
TWO DECADES OF
HOTEL DESIGN
0800 77 333 7 | speedqueen.co.nz October/NOVEMBER 2019
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POOLS ARE NO LONGER THE ONLY OUTDOOR AMENITY
Sarah Mitchell, Editorial Director, sarah@reviewmags.com
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inter is finally behind us and hotels are increasingly blurring the lines when it comes to defining indoor and outdoor spaces and encouraging guests to enjoy the outside. Hotel designers and suppliers are constantly finding new ways to cater to these new demands and look to add amenities that guests expect indoors to the exterior spaces. While the outdoors used to be associated with the pool or the back lawn, and was more of an after-thought, it is now more prominent and connected to the indoor spaces. Guests want more than just the pool, they want ball sport courts and beer pong, and social gatherings and activities. Hoteliers can boost return on investment by making the outdoors more comfortable and appealing for guests. Outdoor kitchens and bars are a great opportunity for properties to generate some extra revenue, and for those not wanting to service and maintain an outdoor kitchen all-
year-around, a mobile food and drinks cart is a great alternative. Modular seating around fire pits are growing in popularity and create the perfect public space area for drinks and social gatherings. Suppliers have also adapted their offerings to meet new outdoor needs including fabric types and architectural materials like concrete and porcelain tiles to withstand heat, cold, rain and of course, cocktails and sunscreen. Going green has never been easier, even for properties where space is not a luxury. Vertical gardens or living walls are essentially a collection of wall-mounted flowers, grasses or herbs. Hotels and hospitality outlets around the world are already featuring these and you don’t even have to have the real deal, plastic, silk and faux options are available. Finally, outdoor bathrooms have come back in to fashion, allowing guests another dimension to hotel rooms and to bathe beneath the sky and soak up the landscape. In this issue of Hotel, we take a look at the great outdoors and how it can add value to your property.
15 OCTOBER Hotel Revenue Distribution Summit, Singapore
23-25 OCTOBER 2019 Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific, Hong Kong
24 OCTOBER New Zealand Tourism Awards, Christchurch
28 OCTOBER LABOUR DAY
Enjoy the issue.
5-6 NOVEMBER 31st European Hotel Industry Conference, London
7 NOVEMBER International Hotel Investment & Design Conference, Vienna
7-8 NOVEMBER Maximum Occupancy, Sydney
19-20 NOVEMBER Sleep & Eat, London
28 NOVEMBER Finnotech 2019, Auckland
American Idiot
Joker
October 10 -20, The Civic, Auckland For those about to rock! This Tony Award-winning punk rock musical is based on Green Day’s smashhit 2004 album. Full of wit and warmth, American Idiot is a home to lasting friendship in the most difficult of circumstances.
Not one for the kids – this standalone comic book flick explores the origins of Batman’s arch nemesis, The Joker, played with ghoulish flare by Joaquin Phoenix. Already a hit with audiences, this full-on psychological thriller full of darkness is brimming with black humour and twisted smiles.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil October 17 The long-awaited follow-up to 2014’s Maleficent. Angelina Jolie stars as the titular evil fairy and anti-hero, whose peaceful life as the protector of the Moors takes an unexpected turn when Prince Phillip proposes to Aurora, AKA Sleeping Beauty. This fantastical feature promises heaps of magical mirth and bewitching visuals.
5 DECEMBER TOPHOTEL, Shanghai
25 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DAY
26 DECEMBER BOXING DAY
1 JANUARY NEW YEAR’S DAY
10 – 13 FEBRUARY
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www.hotelmagazine.co.nz CHAIRMAN: Peter Mitchell, peter@reviewmags.com PUBLISHER: Tania Walters, tania@reviewmags.com ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Kieran Mitchell, kieran@reviewmags.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Sarah Mitchell, sarah@reviewmags.com EDITOR: Caitlan Mitchell, caitlan@reviewmags.com CONTENT MANAGER: Kyra Johnstone, kyra@reviewmags.com
EDITORIAL TEAM: Ed Scott, Chris Glavovic SENIOR DESIGNER: Raymund Sarmiento, raymund@reviewmags.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Ciaran Carroll, kez@reviewmags.com
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ISSN 2423-1193 HOTEL is published bi-monthly under license. Please direct all enquiries and correspondence to HOTEL. The opinions and material published in this edition of HOTEL are not necessarily those of the publishers unless specifically stated. All material appearing in HOTEL is copyright and may only be reproduced with the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2019.
Review Publishing Co Ltd. Suite 9, Level 3, 20 Augustus Tce, Parnell, Auckland. PO Box 37140, Parnell, Auckland. Tel (09) 304 0142 or Fax (09) 377 2794
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An independent report found that growing awareness about the impact of travel on the environment represents a threat to New Zealand’s tourism industry, as travellers seek to cut down on long-haul flights.
GO ORANGE CONTINUE STREAK
New Zealand’s Electronic Travel Authority came into effect on 1 October, affecting an estimated 1.5 million travellers a year from 60 countries who did not previously require visitor visas. Tourism Hong Kong suffered its worst downturn since the 2003 SARS outbreak, as the region faces continuing political instability and prodemocracy protests. Beijing’s new mega-airport Daxing opened just days before the country celebrated its 70th anniversary. The airport is reportedly the largest singlebuilding terminal in the world. Accor’s ninth Art Series hotel opened its doors in perth. The 250-room Adnate features a 25-storey mural by spray-paint artist Matt Adnate, displaying three large-scale portraits. Staff at the InterContinental Hotel Moorea in French Polynesia went on strike after four men were sacked following accusations of rape. The men were detained for questioning, but police laid no charges and freed them whilst continuing the investigation. SkyCity Entertainment Group announced the establishment of a new hotel management company, SkyCity Hotels Group, set up to deliver on SkyCity’s hotel growth strategy and manage on-going projects. A disgruntled customer left a Land Rover parked outside the five-star Taj Hotel in London. The vehicle was printed with the words, “DO NOT STAY AT TAJ HOTELS,” and described ‘bad guest service,’ ‘valuables gone missing,’ and ‘incompetent management.’ Former chairman of Skyline Enterprises Mark Quickfall bought back the aviation tourism business Totally Tourism for $19 million from the same company he sold it to eight years ago. A student investigation into the Chinese tourism market found that 66 percent of Chinese FITs (free independent tourists) book their activities in New Zealand in advance of arriving in the country. A majority of these tourists used travel agencies for recommendations.
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Queenstown and Fiordland tourism operator Go Orange has been named the Fastest Growing Business Service in Dunedin and the Lower South Island by Deloitte, for the second time in a row. Go Orange won the award for the first time last year with revenue growth of 209 percent, and went on to rank 37th on the national Deloitte Fast 50, announced later in the year. “It’s an outstanding result for any company to be recognised for its contribution to the continued growth of the New Zealand
business economy, but to do it two years in a row is exceptional,” said Go Orange general manager Luke Taylor. “We’re absolutely stoked with this latest award which recognises the hard work and dedication of our team across all our businesses in Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound.” The recognition comes after Go Orange was named AWS Legal Fiordland tourism Operator of the Year 2019, and Luke Taylor was named TIA Emerging Leader of the Year. The company was also a national finalist in the Humankind Employee Experience Awards, and is currently nominated as a finalist in the best tour/activity category of the Australia & New Zealand Adventure Tourism Awards 2019. Go Orange was formed just over two years ago with the merger of a number of Queenstown businesses. It restructured from a solely backpacker-focused brand, now aligning itself with a much wider range of travellers and demographics, delivering cruising, white water rafting, jet boating, kayaking, and coach connections in Queenstown, Te Anau, and Milford and Doubtful sounds. l
HAKA LODGE SOLD
The iconic Haka Lodge on Auckland’s Karangahape Road has been sold. The 1920s three-storey building on the corner of K’ Road and Day Street was sold by way of a tender campaign managed by Nick Thompson, JLL’s director of hotels and tourism. The building was refurbished in 2015 and is fully fitted as a highend backpacker lodge, with a range of dormitories and private facilities available. The Haka Lodge’s prime location on one of Auckland’s most iconic streets puts it within walking distance of the CBD and the popular suburb of Ponsonby, whilst being accessible to the motorways and public transport. The major Auckland City Rail Link project, due to open in 2023, will provide an electrified, doubletrack, subterranean rail tunnel to the city, with one of two CBD stations set to be approximately 150 metres
from the property. The line will connect Britomart Transport Centre with the Western Line, connecting near Mount Eden Railway Station. Commencing from 1 May 2019, Haka Lodge Auckland has one right of renewal of 12 years and three subsequent rights of six years each with fixed growth, making it a hands-off investment. l
RADISSON SIGNS QUEENSTOWN DEAL Radission Hotel Group will manage a new 5-star luxury boutique hotel in Queenstown. Located in central Queenstown at 17-19 Man Street, it will be the first Radisson-branded hotel in New Zealand. The signing was announced by Kiwi property developer and investor Augusta Capital, who also announced the new Augusta Tourism Fund, planned for the first quarter
of 2020. Along with the Jucy Snooze Hotel in Auckland, the Queenstown Radisson property will be the first seed asset in the fund focused on commercial tourism assets. Augusta bought the five-storey, 63-room Man Street hotel development project for $13.95 million last year from Kevin Carlin of South Island Investments. The Radisson Hotel Group, owned by Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, has signed a 15-year term. l
PLANNING FOR THE WORST
A conference of tourism sector leaders in Otago met in Te Anau to prepare the industry ahead of a potential alpine quake. Minister of Civil Defence and Associate Minister of Tourism Peeni Henare opened the inaugural AF8 Tourism Forum by stressing the importance of forward planning in managing and mitigating the impacts of a large-scale earthquake. “The stunning landscapes that attract international and local visitors to the South Island are products of the powerful natural forces that have shaped and continue to shape our country,” said Henari. “But those natural forces also put our infrastructure, our communities, our people, and our visitors at risk.” The forum was convened by Project AF8, which has brought together scientists and emergency managers to identify the consequences of a magnitude eight Alpine Fault earthquake and coordinate necessary responses. Participants of the forum included South Island Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, emergency services, universities, central government agencies, local businesses, and Te Waipounamu r nanga and rõpu (South Island Mãori councils.) l
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WILLIAM BARRON HILTON CHECKS OUT
William Barron Hilton, the president, chairman, and chief executive officer of the Hilton Hotels Corporation, died on September 19, aged 91. Born in Dallas, Texas, Hilton was the second son of legendary hotelier Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels chain. He served in the Navy during World War II as a photographer, before attending the University of Southern California Aeronautical School, where he earned his twin-engine rating aged just 19. He spent a number of years sharpening his business skills in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures before joining his father’s franchise in 1954. William Hilton was responsible for Hilton’s expansion into Las Vegas in 1970, becoming the first New York Stock Exchange-listed company to venture into the gaming market. His foresight allowed him to predict Las Vegas’ development into a leading convention destination, and he personally introduced two innovations
that have since become standard features of casinos worldwide: surveillance cameras replacing the previous two-way mirrored ceilings used to monitor the casino floor; and progressive ‘Pot o’ Gold’ slot machines that produced a succession of world record jackpots, which generated free publicity around the world. Hilton’s two Las Vegas properties – the Las Vegas Hilton and the Flamingo Hilton – were instrumental in the city’s rise to becoming the self-proclaimed Entertainment Capital of the World. Elvis Presley performed at the opening of the Las Vegas Hilton in 1969, later performing two-month stints at the hotel – two shows a night, seven days a week – until his death in 1977, setting a world entertainment record for selling out 837 consecutive concerts. In the 1970s, Hilton continued to expand the domestic hotel chain through franchising, remaining as chairman of the board through the 1990s as his hand-picked successor, Steve Bollenbach, dramatically expanded the company even further. The acquisition of Hilton International in 2005, 38 years after it was sold to TWA, brought the entire Hilton brand under one franchise. Hilton married Marilyn June Hawley in 1947; they remained married until she died in 2004. They had eight children, fifteen grandchildren, including socialites Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild, and four great-grandchildren. He died at his home in Los Angeles. l
THESE LITTLE SHAMPOOS New York lawmakers are considering a statewide blanket ban on mini toiletries in hotels, in an effort to curb the environmental impact of single-use plastics. The proposals by Democrat senator for Long Island Todd Kaminsky would target the 27 million toiletry bottles disposed of each year by hotels in New York City, some of which have reportedly been found in the stomachs of whales as far away as Indonesia. Hotels with more than 50 rooms would be required to phase mini bottles out by 2023, and smaller lodgings by 2024. “Little everyday actions, like eliminating small plastic bottles, will have a positive impact on our environment,” said Senator Kaminsky, who led a similar campaign against plastic shopping bags earlier this year. “By barring hotels from giving single-use plastic toiletries to customers, we are safeguarding our environment, and mitigating plastic waste and waterway pollution.” The proposals will be considered in January by the New York State Legislature. Should it pass, New York will become the second state to implement such a ban after California, which did so in April. The decision follows Marriott’s pledge earlier this year to remove mini bottles from all its properties worldwide by 2020, and IHG promising to do the same by 2021. l
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
Construction of the $330 million SkyCity Adelaide Casino expansion has reached a major milestone with the development topping out. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall was among guests to gather on the top floor of the 12-storey building for a topping out ceremony to celebrate the installation of the highest point of the development. The milestone follows the completion of the final concrete pour by builder Hansen Yuncken and was marked by SkyCity Entertainment Group CEO Graeme Stephens and SkyCity Adelaide General Manager David Christian signing their names in concrete. Construction of the expansion, which includes a 120-suite luxury hotel, new restaurants and bars, conference and function facilities, a wellness centre, and expanded gaming facilities, commenced in June last year and is on track to be complete in October 2020. l
THOMAS COOK MELTDOWN Guests at a Tunisian Hotel were ‘held hostage’ and prevented from leaving the property unless they paid extra fees to cover what the resort claims is owed by the Thomas Cook. Les Orangers resort in the beachside town of Hammamet reportedly asked guests due to leave the hotel to come to reception, where they were asked to pay additional fees. A guest from Leicestershire told the BBC that four security guards held the gates closed, and were not allowing anybody to leave. The story echoes numerous other reports from across Europe as hotels attempted to bill guests for Thomas Cook’s unpaid fees.
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The tour operator went into liquidation on September 23 leaving 150,000 UK travellers stranded across the world. Thomas Cook revealed in May that first-half losses for 2019 widened on a major write-down, caused in part by Brexit uncertainty that delayed summer holiday bookings. According to Tunisian tourism minister Rene Trabelsi, Thomas Cook owe Tunisian hotels €$60 million (NZ$104 million) for stays in July and August. In August, China’s Fosun Group led a last-ditch bid to rescue Thomas Cook from bankruptcy, injecting £450 million (NZ$895 million) into the
business in return for a 75 percent stake in Thomas Cook’s tour operating division and 25 percent of its airline unit. In the wake of the company’s collapse, the UK Civil Aviation Authority launched Britain’s largest-ever peacetime repatriation scheme, bringing home stranded Thomas Cook passengers, most of whom were protected by the Air Travel Organiser’s License, a government-run financial protection scheme. l
Juliana Souza was recently appointed general manager of Swiss-Belresort Coronet Peak in Queenstown. Originally from Brazil, Souza’s first job was in a perfume store during the Christmas holidays, responsible for wrapping gifts and stocking shelves. “It was a great first job with a fun environment and I got a lot of experience interacting with the customers.”
MEETS
JULIANA SOUZA Swiss-Belresort Coronet Peak GENERAL MANAGER
S
ouza moved to New Zealand in 2009, drawn by the spectacular landscape and relaxed lifestyle. After starting as a receptionist at a 90-bed backpackers’ hostel, within two years she became owneroperator, adopting a hands-on role in the day-today running of the hostel. She has since worked for Sherwood and JUCY Group in Queenstown, and joins Swiss-Belhotel International with a wealth of hospitality and retail experience. In the 12 years she’s been living and working in Queenstown, Souza has seen a lot of changes. “Queenstown used to be a holiday destination with a small-town feel, and it used to be calmer,” she explained. “The success of tourism has certainly changed things here, but it has also created a phenomenal
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amount of opportunity. Where else offers so many adventures in such a beautiful setting?” Having successfully set up two hotels in New Zealand’s adventure capital, Souza has mentored and developed a multitude of passionate young professionals, something she considers to be of utmost importance in her career. “I love seeing young talent in hospitality grow. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch my team take on and apply new information.” Looking ahead, Souza is extremely excited to take on her new position with Swiss-Belhotel International, one of the world’s largest hotel management groups, and continue to develop her skillset within the ever-changing world of hospitality. “Each day is unique in this industry, and that’s what makes it so stimulating. The fast-paced environment that never stops and never sleeps brings a sense of urgency and the feeling of accomplishment.” l
The Dream Maker king single trundler bed is an excellent choice to save space and provide convenient extra bedding for additional guests and children. This bed is strong, durable and easy to assemble. Mattresses are included making this your “one stop shop” for comfort. My name is Barry Beaumont and I manage the commercial business for Big Save Furniture. Big Save is now the largest furniture and bed seller in New Zealand, and the commercial sector is becoming a large part of our business. In our 45 plus years of experience in the furniture retail industry we have identified and understand that our commercial clients have specific requirements that differ from retail customers, and have fine-tuned our ability to meet those needs. We have a dedicated team that make sure deadlines are met and that our commercial customers are happy.
“FIT FOR PURPOSE, AT A GREAT PRICE IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT” Big Save are massive buyers of New Zealand made furniture and custom made furniture. We are a large importer, so we can cover all bases in terms of budget and requirements. If you are a small or large business, furnishing 2 rooms or 50, I will work closely with you and our factories to produce specific products to suit your needs, style and budget. Please don’t hesitate to call me on (029) 200 5300. Any orders can be emailed to Commercial Administration on commadmin@bigsave.co.nz. Barry Beaumont Big Save Commercial Manager
October/NOVEMBER 2019
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