Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, Intercontinental Hotels Group
About Kimpton
In early 2015, IHG completed the acquisition of boutique hotel operator Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, in a deal worth US $430 million. At the time, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants managed 62 hotels in cities and resorts across the US, as well as 71 hotel-based restaurants and bars. It was only limited to the US, but the first international Kimpton property is scheduled to launch in Amsterdam in 2017. What about the Middle East region? IHG COO IMEA Pascal Gauvin is hopeful. He says: “Europe is starting the internationalisation of that brand and we will do the same as soon as we have the opportunity and we have the right partner.”
Hotel food and beverage
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IHG COO IMEA Pascal Gauvin says food and beverage is an important element for IHG, and while the revenue split varies, overall 40% of the operator’s business is from food and beverage.
“With this, I will think about guest experience. We own the food and beverage including the all-day dining and we need to always concentrate on great breakfasts. We should do outlets when we have the know-how, but not hesitate to bring partners,” says Gauvin, and points to Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant at InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Jason Atherton’s involvement at the InterContinental Dubai Marina, as well as the Belgian Beer Café outlets at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, InterContinental Abu Dhabi and InterContinental Doha. “Sometimes hoteliers believe we know how to do everything. We have to relax — we have to concentrate on the core business and do it absolutely perfectly, and when you can be associated with others to really transform the guest experience, don’t hesitate,” he concludes.
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