The CEO and Founder of Hospitality biz Rory Cole-Bowen said “Kerry has enormous experience in Human Resources and Recruitment having worked in Leading Hotels in Queensland for many years. Kerry will be a great asset to employers and candidates in Queensland and will create a niche market for Hospitality biz in Queensland providing Executive Search and Recruitment at all levels.

Kerry Green – Recruitment Manager Queensland

Kerry has been involved within the Hospitality Industry for eleven years.  After originally starting her career within Food and Beverage, she has progressed through a number of departments, including Front Office and Human Resources.

Raised and educated in country Northern New South Wales, Kerry moved to Brisbane to attend Martin College.  Having graduated from Martin College with an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management, Kerry gained employment at Parkroyal Brisbane.

Her progression through the Hospitality Industry has seen Kerry further her expertise by moving from the Food and Beverage Department at Parkroyal Brisbane, to becoming involved with the Front Office Departments at Parkroyal Brisbane, Holiday Inn Brisbane, Quay West Brisbane, and also Royal on the Park.  Kerry has also been an active member within various Human Resources teams namely Mirvac Queensland and Sofitel Brisbane, one of Brisbane’s premier five star hotels.

Kerry is currently undertaking a Business Degree majoring in Human Resources. 

Throughout her career progression in Human Resources, Kerry’s main focus has been in Recruitment, Learning and Development, and Workplace Health and Safety.

Kerry’s passion and dedication to the Hospitality Industry at large, has allowed her to successfully progress through numerous roles covering most Departments, as well maintaining key relationships with local clients within Brisbane.

Considering that we have seen this cycle many times before, in fact every time the economy gets a slight dent, the initial reaction is to cut back on the Management, mostly at the top level. This is an understandable reaction, of course, and what comes most naturally in the face of economic hardship and shareholder pressure. The Global Financial Crisis that has just passed us, so we all hope, has shown how different companies react and how some have crisis management techniques in place that can be implemented almost immediately.

Every crises created by humans or nature has a different face and manifests itself as a new challenge with the exception of the financial crises which was a first of its magnitude in the modern world we live in today.

This was a crisis we as individuals were unable to do anything about. We completely relied on our governments to manage and get us out of this situation. By not knowing the extent, many businesses reacted slowly and with very little planning to what will happen when this crisis is over?

This past year has shown how many managers we have in the industry that were able to deal with the pressure of the challenging times. Crisis management has been a new word and taken on a new meaning many had not experienced before because we had the good times for so many years.
It also showed how differently companies handle redundancy, downsizing or the ‘let go’ attitude prevalent due to the nature of employment contracts.

This was nowhere more visible than in Executive Recruitment when we had suddenly a flood of people looking for work and on the other hand recruitment slowed to a level not seen in years.

The biggest asset, our employees, were the first ones on the chopping board when cutting expenses. This is indeed a lesson when good people that understand the product, have the management experience and skills to overcome these trying times found themselves out of work.

It also says a thousand words about employers who in many cases rather unceremoniously terminated the employment of some of the finest in the industry.

The hospitality industry really has come of age in that respect and is now in line with the financial sectors and most other industries where people are easily disposable.
It might on the other hand also show a side of the industry that hasn’t been really looked at closely and that is the various levels of management, streamlining, job combination and extending areas of responsibility within the management structure.

The hospitality business is a people business and hopefully stays that way, where we still meet the people that make our stay so comfortable and an experience.

Recruitment of the finest in the industry is still something we should strive for.

It is now the time that employers can evaluate what their needs are and hire people that make a difference. There is a job and place out there for everyone and in many cases it is a matchmaking process that is difficult but worthwhile going through. Employee profiles, position guidelines are just a starter and in talks with clients we learn what they are really looking for in that perfect person.

Executive Recruitment in many ways is like a marriage and the ‘in laws’ might be difficult but the new arrival can win over hearts if he is diplomatic and has a character and management style that complements the existing family and in many cases culture.

Finding the matching individual is often a tedious process but in the long term very satisfying for all involved - client, candidate and ultimately the recruitment company.

Being specific on details and background, political correctness in many cases doesn’t provide the opportunity to express the real need and makes finding the right candidate hard work.

Personal relationships and confidentiality on all levels with the recruiter are serious issues and vital to be successful. Trust has to be gained and professional services not only advertised but also delivered, equally to clients and candidates.

Our candidates are our stars of the future and our clients are the people that shape these potential stars and provide for their development.

The relationship between Recruiter and Client is vital to the development of future talent in the industry. Combined we should be making the hospitality industry an even more attractive business to work in where people are considered truly professionals and not disposable commodities.
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About Karl Faux
Karl Faux is the Senior Vice President Global Executive Search at Hospitalitybiz. He is a seasoned hospitality professional that has been in the industry for over 30 years and worked across 5 continents. He firmly believes in the management of human resources on the international markets and is passionate about developing new talents that will shape the future of the hospitality industry

About Hospitalitybiz
Hospitalitybiz is today one of Australia’s leading Executive Search and Recruitment firms specializing in the placement of top performing people in the hospitality industry.
The company provides high quality personalized services as a niche market specialist, delivering superior results for both clients and candidates.

For more information contact:
Website: www.hospitalitybiz.com.au
Email: karl@hospitalitybiz.com.au

Hotel Aqaba opened on June 1st: sited on the Red Sea, Jordan, it joins two other Kempinski hotels in the Jordan.

Its 201 rooms and suites all have sea views, enabled by its curved design, shaped like a tear-drop. The interior design is spectacular. Panoramic suites, in particular, have the most stunning views.

The Red Sea has some of the best diving opportunities in the world, amongst coral reefs discovered by the King himself. In the city of the same name, the Aqaba is fronted by the sea, with palm trees and white sand, and has mountains behind, with either a bluish tinge or dark brown colour at dusk and dawn. (Though most of the hotel is open, certain facilities will not be open until October).

There are the usual high-class shops, restaurants and leisure facilities in the town, but the hotel has six of its own international cuisine restaurants with innovative menus, spa, yacht trips, a variety of water activities, private beach, children’s club and excursions.

Each of its restaurants specialises in a variety of offerings: one is open all day, another is al fresco; one is mainly pizza and ice cream on the beach, one is a night lounge great for cocktails, and, of course, the pool bar.

The hotel is set in three acres of lush gardens, and cabanas will be sited within their confines, to complement the main hotel rooms. The Aqaba was developed by the United Saudi Jordanian Hotels & Tourism Company. It also owns the Dead Sea and the Amman Kempinski.

Aqaba is at the top end of the Red Sea and boasts many historical places to visit, such as the Mameluk Fort, a castle originally built by Crusaders. The town has ”free Zone” selling goods free of duty. The Wadi Rum is very close by ?so no hours of travelling through desert! The famed Petra and Dead Sea are also nearby. Anyone wishing to book at this hotel should bear in kind that Aqaba is popular with Jordanians who flock there at weekends and at holiday periods. So check availability.

General manager of the Aqaba is Alejandro Bernabe said “When one thinks of Jordan, both the Dead Sea and the Red Sea come to mind, as two of Jordan’s top attractions. (I think) Hotel Aqaba will complement our Amman and Dead Sea hotels perfectly.”

Bernabe has been with Kempinski for over ten years and has held several management positions with them, at the Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, and at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. He has been described as “an astute hotelier” and has also managed the Julaia in Kuwait, and the San Lawrenz Resort in Gozo, sister-island to Malta.

A Spaniard, Bernabe studied finance in Madrid and USA, before being trained in hotel management in Switzerland. He has an MBA from France.

Head Chef at the Aqaba is Sudqi Naddaf, a Jordanian from Kuwait. He has taken numerous courses in the UK and Jordan, including one for Italian cuisine. He has over 20 years experience in top class hotels, including the Sheraton Amman, Kempinski Amman and others, plus a stint with Saudi Airlines.

Scotland is a wonderful mix for visitor; it ranges from wild to gentle, isolated to touristy, but always extremely interesting.

Some years ago I toured Scotland staying at remote hostels, and came away with many happy memories.

Until recently, Scotland relied on its rugged natural attractions, and thousands visit to travel around this ancient stomping ground of ‘the Bruce’, battling clans, and big mountains. I can recommend going to the top of the Cairngorms in the snow… there was nothing but silence, broken only by a distant rush of water.

Nowadays, though, Scotland is gearing-up a notch by adding other attractions to its formidable natural beauty. In particular, golf. Scotland has over 550 golf courses, most of which have good access and low fees. Some courses host international events, so are top class venues.

The Open Championships will be held at the cliff-top Ailsa Course in Turnberry, Ayrshire, July 16th to 19th. Known as one of the most scenic courses, it is the fourth time the course has held this oldest of major golfing tournaments. This is the 138th staging of the Championships. And how many ardent golf fans remember the now legendary ‘Duel in the Sun’, between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, in 1977? The course will hold a special ‘Homecoming’ putting competition for visitors.

The Johnnie Walker Championships will be held at the famed Gleneagles, playing on the PGA Centenary Course, August 27th – 30th). The same course will host the 2014 Ryder Cup.

For those of Scottish ancestry, or who wish they had one, the North East Clan Fortnight will be held July 18th – August 3rd. This would complement a visit to the Open at Turnberry. ‘The Gathering’, when clan members all meet in Edinburgh, is just a part of the large number of events, from heritage conferences to Burns opera, Tartan Day in Aberdeen, and the Highland Games at Aboyne.

2009 is designated the ‘Year of Homecoming’ for distant Scots and families who have never seen their home country.

Le Méridien Hotels celebrates growth in Asia Pacific and the brand’s transformation into a leading edge lifestyle brand with the opening of three brand new hotels and resorts.

In its continued international expansion into culturally rich cities as well as resort destinations across the globe, Le Méridien brand today unveils three new hotel and resort properties in Asia Pacific - Le Méridien Bangkok, Le Méridien Chiang Mai and Le Méridien Chiang Rai.

Further expanding the brand’s growing portfolio in Thailand, all three properties offer an engaging environment combined with a high standard of service designed to inspire the creative guest. Le Méridien recently celebrated the official openings of these hotels and resorts with the brand’s signature event, FIRST NIGHT BANGKOK: Destination Asia, An Active Discovery. As part of the First Night event, Le Méridien also unveiled the signature Le Méridien arrival experience and new signature breakfast at Le Méridien hotels in Asia Pacific.

“We are thrilled with the opening of these three stunning Le Méridien hotels in Thailand,” said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are both well known for their beautiful landscape and rich cultural offerings while Bangkok is the cosmopolitan capital of Thailand and is an exciting, sophisticated and energetic destination for leisure, business and meetings. These locations are a great fit with the Le Méridien brand, which is committed to providing guests with an interactive and culturally enriching experience.”

“Le Méridien is committed to transforming the functional and transactional driven hotel experience into an emotional connection with our guests, delivering a new perspective in a relevant way in order to attract a new, aspirational audience – the creative mind,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and W Hotels Worldwide. “We are proud to unveil these three new Le Méridien hotels as they mark a milestone in Le Meridien brand’s transformation into a lifestyle brand. The curated approach of Le Méridien’s guest experience through Jérôme Sans, Le Méridien’s Cultural Curator, and the LM100™ family lead to very inspiring, creative solutions that can be experienced at Le Méridien hotels in Thailand and across Asia Pacific.”

Proprietary customer research showed that the first 10 minutes define the guests’ entire experience and establish their mindset for the rest of their stay. Le Méridien arrival experience was designed to transform the experience from functional and transactional to one that one that emotionally connects with the guests and resets their minds, leaving the outside world behind for the world of Le Méridien.

“Going through the hotel entrances with the more than 40 different works of art provided by six very different emerging artists, installed in diverse locations across the globe, is a unique experience. It is a project that takes permanent contemporary art pieces to various unexpected locations and makes art accessible to a wide audience,” said Jérôme Sans, Cultural Curator for Le Méridien. “I am sure that Le Méridien guests will be stimulated by the discovery of these Transitional Portals around the globe.”

Examples of Transitional Portals can be found at most all Le Méridien hotels in Asia Pacific, created by six international LM100 artists, Ralph Gibson, Hisham Bharoocha, Joan Fontcuberta, Youssef Nabil, Younès Rahmouna and An Xiaotong. Guests who attended the First Night Bangkok event had the opportunity to discover the Transitional Portal artwork located at Le Méridien Hotels in Asia Pacific.

As part of the unique arrival experience, the brand has created UNLOCK ART™, providing guests with unique access to contemporary cultural centers through artist-designed key cards that offer complimentary admission to local cultural experiences.

The exclusive keycards at Le Méridien Bangkok have been created by artist Michael Lin, and provide access to the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC), one of Asia’s largest cultural and design institutions. Using his signature floral motifs, Lin designed the first set of UNLOCK ART™ keycards. As Le Méridien Bangkok guests use these cards to open doors and access experiences at TCDC, the keycards will become works of art in and of themselves.

The UNLOCK ART™ programme at Le Méridien Chiang Mai gives guests complimentary access to the Umbrella Making Centre, Borsang. Borsang is a village in San Kamphaeng district and is known for its hand-painted parasols made from mulberry paper (Sa paper) and silk. Upon presentation of UNLOCK ART™ keycard to the Centre, guests are able to express themselves by painting their own designs for the umbrellas at the workshop.

For Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort, the UNLOCK ART™ programme provides guests with access to the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park. Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park houses the royal collection of Lanna art, the finest collection of religious and secular art and artifacts in Thailand.

Le Méridien Bangkok
Located in the center of Silom’s pulsating commercial district and just steps away from the energetic Patpong Night market, Le Méridien Bangkok is a modern 24-story tower in the heart of Thailand’s capital and stands as an icon to the rising contemporary creative scene in the city. Bangkok is evolving into a contemporary regional cultural center with a very forward-thinking creative community, and to reflect this shifting paradigm, Le Méridien Bangkok is providing a new perspective in accommodations that embraces a guest’s passions for art, architecture, fashion and cuisine.

All 282 guestrooms and suites are wrapped in floor to ceiling windows, presenting unparalleled views of Bangkok’s cityscape and vibrant street scene below. The hotel also offers four subtly secluded but easy to access Atelier meeting rooms with contemporary private foyer, offering more than 300 square meters of function space ideal for corporate meetings and events as well as intimate social affairs. Le Méridien Bangkok also features two innovative Le Méridien signature restaurants and a bar – Latest Recipe, an all day dining concept, and Bamboo Chic, a contemporary Asian fusion concept, a spa by Le Méridien with seven circular treatment rooms, and a fully-equipped fitness center and outdoor pool.

Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort
Centered amongst two majestic 100-year-old rain trees, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort is located in Thailand’s premier hillside resort community in the country’s northernmost province, a region known for its breathtaking mountain scenery, Buddhist shrines and ruins of ancient settlements. Owned by the Rain Tree Hotel Company, Limited, the brand-new resort is just ten minutes from the Chiang Rai International Airport, five minutes from the town center and a one-hour drive from the Golden Triangle, where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge.

Guests can explore this compelling region starting at the resort’s quay, where a longtail boat is moored, waiting to take travelers downriver to visit the region’s fascinating hill-tribe villages. Other excursions include elephant treks and hikes along Chiang Rai’s renowned jungle trails. After a day exploring the area’s diverse landscapes and unique attractions, guests can indulge in the chic, cosmopolitan ambience at Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort. In addition to its 159 spacious and contemporary guestrooms and suites, featuring expansive private balconies, the resort offers an extensive menu of massage, facial and body treatments at Pavarti Spa, three world-class restaurants, a state-of-the-art gym and a three-tiered, outdoor swimming pool.

Le Méridien Chiang Mai
Le Méridien Chiang Mai offers travelers first-class accommodations on Chang Klan Road in the heart of downtown Chiang Mai, Thailand’s dynamic northern capital. The hotel is well positioned for guests to explore the charms of this culturally-rich city including its ancient temples, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and numerous culinary options. Most of the hotel’s 384 guestrooms overlook the majestic Doi Suthep Mountain, and all are outfitted with the signature Le Méridien Bed, broadband Internet and high-definition LCD televisions.

This newly constructed hotel features two world-class restaurants, a modern health club, a multi-sensory spa and an outdoor swimming pool with panoramic views of Chiang Mai. Le Méridien Chiang Mai also offers more than 1,900 square meters of flexible function space, equipped with sophisticated technologies that make it an ideal destination for meetings, seminars, banquets and conventions.

After Le Méridien was bought by Starwood in November 2005, the brand has since upgraded its portfolio significantly through a range of renovations and currently has 26 hotels in the Asia Pacific Region, including Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Thailand and Vanuatu. Le Méridien will open six new hotels in the region by 2011, including three hotels in China, two hotels in India and one hotel in Taiwan.

The doors of The Langham, Yangtze Boutique, Shanghai are now open, enabling guests to experience the glamour of the Golden Age of Old Shanghai in a unique Art Deco masterpiece.

The first, very fashionable guests to arrive were Francesco Sibilio, Head Designer and Alessandro Maione, Corporate Lawyer from Italian fashion brand Energie Denim.

Stefan Heintze, General Manager of The Langham welcomed the first guests to Shanghai’s latest boutique hotel and bestowed upon them the invitation to get “Absolutely Shanghaied” and enjoy the eponymously-named cocktails at the hotel’s bar, on the house for all future stays at the hotel.

For the first two months, all guests staying at the hotel will also be given the opportunity to get “Absolutely Shanghaied” with a beverage of their choice in the hotel’s glamorous bar as well as complimentary breakfast and broadband internet.

Mr Heintze said: “The hotel allows the guest to relive the glamour, elegance and fun of Shanghai’s Golden Age in the 1930’s. The parallels of Shanghai today and Shanghai in the 1930’s are uncanny, as both are times when Shanghai was, and now is, the most exciting city in the world. The style, services and facilities we offer reflect this exciting time in Shanghai’s development.”

Yesterday’s Charms with Today’s Amenities

The hotel’s Art Deco heritage fused with a modern Shanghai residence inspires the interior design which captivates the senses and has a wink of surprise. Each of the hotel’s 96 exquisite rooms and suites offers a personal sanctuary of comfort, distinguished by the opulence of Old Shanghai and the luxury of spacious surroundings.

The combination of Art Deco splendour and technological sophistication in these guestrooms makes The Langham, Yangtze Boutique a rarity amongst Shanghai hotels. Many rooms have the uncommon luxury of a private balcony or terrace allowing guests a privileged perspective of Shanghai’s bustling street life.

While the hotel amply demonstrates yesterday’s charms, it also showcases 21st century amenities. Every guestroom and suite features Broadband Internet and Wifi access, Internet Protocol Phones, iHome iPod docking station, DVD Player, 42” LCD TV in bedroom and 19” a LCD TV in a spacious marble bathroom as well as a generously sized business desk.

Reflecting Shanghai’s cosmopolitan culture and needs of today’s discerning travellers the hotel features four sensational restaurants – T’ang Court – the newest sister of the two Michelin Star restaurant in Hong Kong, Ciao Dining Room – the perfect Italian and it’s baby brother Ciao Bambino, Mado Izakaya – a Japanese window to the world and Palm Court – the traditional home of afternoon tea. No matter what your culinary preference, these outlets deliver true gastronomic delights.

InterContinental Hotels Group recently went on a trip to South Africa but it wasn’t all sunbathing on sunny beaches as the group opened two new hotels in the country.

The 318-room Crowne Plaza Johannesburg – The Rosebank opened in Johannesburg, and the 303-room Holiday Inn Express Pretoria – Sunnypark, currently the largest Holiday Inn Express property in South Africa, opened in the capital Pretoria.

IHG is already planning to return to the African continent later this year, as it plans to open the 162-room Crowne Plaza Nairobi, its second Crowne Plaza in Africa, in Kenya this autumn.

There is mounting evidence that the precipitous economic declines in many countries in Asia Pacific may be close to ending.

A bottom is likely forming, hopefully to be followed by a modest recovery.

Declines from the peak were caused mainly by the dramatic fall-off in the region’s manufactured exports brought on by the worldwide recession and the drying up of cross-border financing. Like in other regions of the world, the new economic base line will be significantly below the 2007 highs.

To halt the decline, both China and India are making huge investments in infrastructure improvements and are counting heavily on rising consumer spending. China is also depending on a renewed emphasis in directed lending by its government-owned banks, particularly for real estate development, to generate additional job opportunities.

Construction Pipeline activity throughout the region peaked in the first half of 2008 in time for an expected rush of visitors for the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, with China seeing a rash of New Hotel Openings in 2007 and 2008.

Not surprisingly, Pipeline Totals in China have shown the largest percentage decline of any region in the world since the peak, down 22% for projects and 20% for rooms.

However, China’s Pipeline is still the second largest in the world with 964 projects/260,560 rooms under development. 65% of the projects are high-end hotels, primarily in the 25 largest cities. Most have global brands. 57% are larger than 200 rooms, with the overall average hotel size at a very high 270 rooms.

During development of the strategic annual plan, the Board agreed that in order to meet obligations and objectives in 2010, some business structures and resources needed to be realigned. 
Shifting exchange rates over recent months have resulted in less buying power in most of Tourism Australia’s major markets and these changes allow Tourism Australia to invest more of its available funding in trade and consumer marketing activities. 

This new environment means Tourism Australia has to be more flexible as an organisation – both in terms of marketing and resource allocation. In order to keep Tourism Australia’s international marketing activity high and protect arrival numbers from decline, the decision has been made to close three of the smaller offices in Taiwan, Thailand and the Gulf.

Tourism Australia remains committed to these markets which will now be serviced through the regional offices in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong.This action follows a decision to increase the role of the Shanghai office and undertake a restructure in Japan.

These changes follow what has been an ongoing shift of incrementally realigning our resources to meet challenges in the market.  We’ve already gone through some significant changes in the Americas and the UK and Europe have been through major restructures in the past twelve to eighteen months.

The UK, Europe and Americas offices are now operating as hub offices with their teams servicing multiple markets at a time. The plan is that the Asian operations will work on a similar model where possible.

These decisions have affected some much loved and highly respected members of Tourism Australia’s team, but they are the right decisions to achieve Tourism Australia’s goals.Tourism Australia is focused on getting the best return for the Australian taxpayer and tourism industry from its investment in the marketing of Australia as a destination for leisure and business travel.

 Bram has been in the Hospitality industry for over thirteen years.  After initially gaining experience in Food & Beverage, his hotel career began in earnest as part of the pre-opening team at the 5 Star Deluxe hotel – Crown Towers Melbourne.  Raised and educated in Melbourne, Bram attended La Trobe University in Bundoora before entering the workforce, and beginning his career in Hospitality.  He has acquired invaluable skills across the Rooms Division, from his early days at Crown as well as the Park Hyatt Melbourne.  Later, he moved to Western Australia and joined the award winning team at the Broadwater Pagoda Resort Hotel as the Front Office Manager.  More recently, he played a leading role as part of the Executive Management team at The Richardson Hotel, Suites & Spa – Perth’s leading boutique 5 Star hotel. Having joined hospitalitybiz^® in August 2007, Bram has played an integral part in the creation and development of the Temporary Solutions facet of our operation.  He has also achieved tremendous success in permanent placements, offering support to various Hospitality businesses, specifically with regards to Front Office as well as Food & Beverage positions. Soon to be based out of our newest Melbourne Office – opening in Hawthorn East on 10 March 2009 – Bram hopes to have similar success within the Victorian Hospitality sector.  He specialises in providing dedicated and personalised Recruitment services, primarily to leading 4 and 5 Star Hotels and Resorts, matching the very best of our candidates to some of the most dynamic opportunities available in Hospitality today.