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LEFT: Peter Anscomb, Royal Bank of Scotland, Steven Goldman, Starwood Capital Group Properties, Carmen Hui, Host Hotels & Resorts, and Diane Scott, Lloyds Banking Group, talk Mathematics ABOVE LEFT: Delegates hear of newcomers to the industry in the Induction session ABOVE: Des Gunewardena, Chairman and CEO of D&D London announces plans for a new F&B-driven concept


“There’s good reason to believe that there will be tight lending positions in the sector for the foreseeable future.”


Peter Anscomb, Royal Bank of Scotland


“Back to basics means going back to core investments and pure competencies...The owner/operator model is a good one, but it’s high risk, high reward and if you don’t have the core competency you will get a big fat F.” From the lender perspective, Diane Scott, Director, Business Development at Lloyds Banking Group, is “looking at what makes a good deal”, whilst Peter Anscomb, Corporate Director, Head of Hotels, Royal Bank of Scotland is “going back to forgotten practices” and ensuring deals are struck with “the right people and the right brand.” Scott encouraged those wanting finance for new projects to look at less-costly alternatives. “Do you really need to build another hotel,” she questioned, “Or can you add 50-100 rooms and add value to the property?”


Although both banks assure that they are


still lending, albeit cautiously, Anscomb warned: “There’s good reason to believe that there will be tight lending positions in the sector for the foreseeable future.” On the agenda for the afternoon’s lessons


were ‘Induction’, ‘Home Economics’ and ‘Art’. Panellist Des Gunewardena, Chairman and CEO, D&D London, announced plans for a hotel driven by its F&B outlets; CitizenM’s Founding Partner Michael Levie spoke of his “lifestyle experience at a more affordable price”; and Mark Lankester introduced the Tune Hotels concept based on the notion of sleep where everything from towels to cleaning is charged as an added extra. Tune Hotels was particularly bullish in its plans, eyeing expansion in the UK and London. The day concluded with a look at the potential impact of social media on guest choices. 70% of


industry figures surveyed ranked TripAdvisor as the source of information most likely to influence a consumer when choosing a hotel, to which van Marken responded: “This is a positive response from operators as it indicates they have recognised the potential impact, both positive and negative, travel review sites can have on their business. Indications are that hoteliers are in fact embracing the platform and actively encouraging their visitors to provide their feedback on the travel review site.” Delegates were encouraged to proactively manage comments left on social media sites however questions were raised over the resources required for such a task. Whichever way you look at it, Geraldine Caplin, VP Global eCommerce Services, Hilton Worldwide, made a valid point when she said: “This is very much the future.”


WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2011 133


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