Egon von Foidl, is a seasoned hotelier with significant international experience in the development and management of deluxe hotels, resorts, golf and spa operations. His practical skills, hands-on management style, combined with a strong sales, marketing and PR/promotions knowledge, as well as fiscal responsibility, has earned him high recognition within the hospitality industry and awarded him the prestigious “CANADIAN HOTELIER OF THE YEAR AWARD” in 2003. What makes his experience unique is, that he not only brings many years of operational experience, but also re-positioning, development, design, and opening experience of hotels, resorts, condo/resort, golf courses and spas operation to the table.
Last Friday I visited Huntsville Ontario, meeting place of the upcoming G8 meeting. Roads are newly paved, landscaping looked fantastic, new benches, new street lights, flags everywhere, wow I was impressed. I guess it shows that the Government wants to look as good as possible to the visiting leaders. It is fascinating how the government finds Millions to upgrade a region in particular towns such Huntsville, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst and that for a 48 hour visit by world leaders.
I remember my many meetings with various Ministers of Tourism in Ontario, requesting marketing dollars and other support for the industry, in particular for areas with annual occupancies of 45%. I was always being told we have no money. I guess they found some to showcase their egos. In the nutshell good for the industry and I do hope that Huntsville and Toronto get as much international exposure as possible.
Spend last month a week in Costa Rica and had a very pleasant surprise to see the quality of properties, specifically in the resort destinations. Being a seasonal destination most hotels only operate in the 50% occupancy range for the year, but with lower labor costs, taxes an owner can make a very good living.
Had a great meeting with the GM of the Hilton at the Toronto Airport, who let me know how they are doing with their labor negotiations and how tough it still is to make a good REFPAR. I guess that are the daily challenges of a GM, please the owner who most of time is an investment company, who looks at the property as an asset and it better be a performing asset otherwise we divest in it. Not much fun to be a GM at present, but as everything in life the industry will go through its circle and maybe one day focus again on guest and staff satisfaction.
On the development front, news is that Marriott International and Ian Schrager Hotels have expanded the list of locations where they plan to open their new International Lifestyle Edition Brand. Locations mentioned are Honolulu and Istanbul, new to the list are Mexico City, Barcelona and Bangkok.
Wyndham is also expanding aggressively with strong focus on the Fareast.
Locally the new resort and spa owned by Swarovski in the Okanagan open and received very favorable PR in the Globe and Mail, two Relais and Chateaux properties closed, the Aerie on Vancouver Island and the Inn at Manitou in Ontario. The industry is still going trough a very challenging period and it is sad to see unique properties such as the Aerie and Inn closing. To be an independent non branded property is getting tougher and tougher and only some very marketing savvy owners and managers survive.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed, keep the faith and love the industry.
Have a great and successful summer
Egon von Foidl
President/CEO, HRG Hospitality Resources Group International