AWARDS BES T
SERVICED APARTMENT PROVIDER
The Ascott Limited O
nce again this was a hotly contested category supported from around the world by operators and agents with entries from big players and established global brands to newcomers and
niche suppliers. This is not surprising in such a fast-growing sector that is responding quickly to leisure, business traveller and corporate HR requirements. In the end, it was the stunning entry from The Ascott Limited that swooped the prize. The judges were impressed that a company that already offers an
impressive range of apartment choice with 73,000 units in 130 cities, sitting across six continents, continues to remain focused on growing its portfolio of properties to meet corporate client needs. Their recent expansion in the US – a hot relocation destination for global mobility, and taking an 80% stake in Synergy Global Housing is testament to their ambitions. The Ascott has evolved from an operator owner to a company
franchisor involved in property management with additional strategic partnerships and continues to go from strength to strength. For example, it acquired a property on New York’s Fifth Avenue, marking the debut of Ascott’s first Citadines serviced residence in the US, alongside the management of two properties in Ghana and a majority stake in Quest Apartment Hotels – serving Australasia.
At the forefront of technology The judges particularly liked their initiatives to keep at the forefront
of business innovation. The company deploy innovation champions in France, UK and Germany to identify new technologies which are worthy of trialling through incubator programmes and start-ups. These champions also oversee tech trials and give recommendations on rollout. At present, they are currently piloting a mobile check-in system in the UK and Europe to streamline arrivals and departures. The firm keep corporate bookers happy with an array of online tools,
rewards and new initiatives such as a pilot in the UK for relocation guests to spread their costs over a few months. There are countless other examples of their agility.
2018
International experience Globally, Ascott has approximately 8,600 staff made up of 86
nationalities. They encourage a global mindset and international experience. An example is the TAGEX programme which gives employees the opportunity to experience another culture for up to six months, offering them work and life experience within a safe environment. The company’s reach has been expanded by investment in Tuija.
com, China’s largest online apartment sharing platform and bookings from outbound Chinese travellers have significantly increased as a result. A joint venture with Tuija operating under the TuiJa Somerset brand caters for business travellers to and in China. The partnership with Fliggy, Alibaba’s online travel service platform, has helped deepen access to over 200 million Chinese travellers.
Agility and guest experience Relocate recently explored the theme of agility at The Festival of
Global Mobility Thinking and Marc Sandfort, area manager UK for The Ascott Limited, speaking on a panel explained “guests are looking for more experience rather than just somewhere to stay”. He pointed out that the sharing economy had disrupted the serviced apartment space making the sector more agile. “We’ve changed our business model, the way we sell ourselves and really adapt it to the change in the consumer”. The launch of the lyf brand: a concept designed by millennials for
millennials offers communal spaces and shared facilities to enhance collaboration is an example of the company’s agility. The Ascott Lifestyle programme also offers specially handpicked
experiences for those relocating by providing a local guide upon check- in, outlining key shopping destinations to local food markets. Clearly, The Ascott Limited is successfully responding to the
evolving requirements of their corporate clients and business travellers and relocation guests offering a premium consistent level of service whether they are in London, Paris, Berlin or Beijing.
www.the.ascott.com
54 | Relocate | Summer 2018
Above: Marc Sandfort
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
