Hotel News Digest: IHG Expands In China

　　IHG Expands in China

　　InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is hoping to exploit the growing Chinese travel market by launching a high-class hotel brand designed specifically for the Chinese traveller. Hualuxe Hotels and Resorts will help to meet the exploding consumer demand that reflects the local traditions in China. Chief executive of IHG, Richard Solomons said, “This is a genuine first for the industry and a unique brand developed by our Chinese team that we know will resonate with the very important fast-growing Chinese consumer base.”

　　25% Salary Rise for Hospitality Industry

　　There has been a 25 per cent rise in salaries for professionals working in the food and beverage industry in London’s City hotels in the past twelve-months helped by the boom in fine dining. The figures have been published in a survey by HVS Executive Search and support the increasing importance that hotels place on their food and drink revenue. The average salary for a hotel food and beverage director now stands at £58,350 with mangers averaging £37,734.

　　Bird Group Establishes New Hotel Management Company

　　A new hotel management company has been set up by Indian company Bird Group, with a view to take over the operation of hotels in the UK and throughout Europe. The first management contract Bird Hospitality has secured is for the 48-bedroom four-star Royal Park Hotel in London, which was bought a year ago by the Bird Group. Bird Hospitality hope to offer a bespoke management service to hotels that have up to 250 bedrooms, saying that their approach is flexible and tailored service can be created to suit individual clients.

　　Brent Council’s Town Hall to be Converted into Hotel

　　Brent Council’s Town Hall is soon to be put up for sale and converting the building to a hotel remains an option for the Grade II listed 1930s building. Located on a five-acre site, the property is due to be sold in June 2013 with the hope that the new owner will preserve the heritage of the building. A precedent for converting a Grade II listed former town hall to a hotel was already created in 2010, when the Town Hall Hotel and Apartments were opened in Bethnall Green at a cost of £20 million and went on to win the RICS London Award for Building Conversion.

　　Britannia Hotels Buys Two New Hotels

　　Two Scarborough hotels have been rescued from administration by Britannia Hotels who have bought the properties for an undisclosed fee, thought to be one of the biggest hotel transactions in the North of England. The Royal Hotel, a three-star 118-bedroom business and the 70-bedroom two-star Clifton Hotel were previously owned by English Rose Hotels, but have now been acquired by Britannia Hotels to increase their portfolio to 39, which makes them one of the largest privately owned hotel groups in the UK.