TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Bernard Granier, CEO of Concorde Hotels & Resorts, said at a reception held for the media on April 14 that the Japanese market is so stable even in economic turbulence that his group puts much value on it. In the performance of Japanese guests for 2009, business travelers dwindled in number but pleasure travelers were steady, he continued.

Concorde Hotels & Resorts makes it a point this year to focus on “corporate business,” “meetings and events (M&E)” and “leisure market.” Granier is prepared to “continue investment in group hotels individually” and to “upgrade the computer system.”

In relation to investment, Hotel Lutetia is going to celebrate the centenary this year and stage a series of events with feature on culture, arts, and foods. In such an incidence, a corner suite will be modified into an art gallery. At the restaurants, special menu will be offered at the price of 100 euro per person or 100 euro for two, just to remind people of the hotel’s 100th anniversary. Moreover, commemorative postage stamps, books, and champagnes will soon be out. Investment will go to other hotels of the group as well in a way to elicit their own features and characteristics, Granier said.

As far as the upgrading of the information technology is concerned, he disclosed the plan to follow through on investment in the system in the amount of 1.2 million euro or more annually group-wide under the assumption that online transactions will gain momentum all the more. He recognizes the fact, meanwhile, that some travelers still prefer visiting a real store of travel agencies for making travel arrangements; therefore, he is open to any distribution strategy, while keeping watching travel agencies’ move in how to respond to consumer needs and to follow them.

Granier was accompanied on his visit to Japan this time by seven general managers from member hotels. They hosted a workshop for travel agencies on April 14 in Tokyo as part of their sales activities.

Source: Travel Vision

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