HMH holds 1st VPs meeting in Aleppo

The high level delegation was led by the group's CEO Michel Noblet and included top executives from the management.

The key objective of the conference was to primarily take stock of the magnitude of the ongoing global recession and to map the group's development and marketing strategy in the current economic scenario.

Outlining HMH's 2009 Global Objectives, Michel said:

"None of our objectives have changed because of the crisis. Our business model is extremely robust. As a result, our performance has been globally satisfactory. We can say that so far we have been through the crunch without any injury. However, the economic outlook is serious. We have been hit by delays in some of our projects. Also, the market is moving more slowly this quarter. The leisure segment has been more hard hit. We have seen a drop of 15 to 20 in the average room rates. Hence urgent steps are needed to alleviate the situation. On the whole we continue to be optimistic because we have compelling products."

Michel hopes to make up for any slowdown in the coming months by continuing to expand aggressively. 'We expect the rate of new room openings to remain strong. We have a hotel opening practically every three weeks in 2009. This will help us to get ready for the good times.'

'In terms of sales and marketing a truly integrated approach is the way forward. We have got to evaluate our existing policies and explicitly focus on enhancing visibility. Cooperation is the key to stay competitive. We are soon going to introduce a variety of attractive promotions and products across our properties. In these straitened times it is more important than ever to get more out of your present customers. On the other hand, emerging markets will continue to drive growth. Hence there's need to define a broad strategy that would involve tapping both existing and fresh markets.

'We see the first half of the year to be most challenging. It is best to reorganize and redistribute resources to avoid any unnecessary financial burdens. We are going to implement some basic cost cutting measures which will help to ease off pressure.'

Michel reiterated his commitment to developing 100 hotels by 2012. Despite the interim hurdles we are going ahead with our plans. We have full faith in the competitiveness of our team. It is a goal that is obtainable and we are already half way there having signed 50 hotels across our four brands in our first five years of operation.'

The beautiful Coral Julia Dumna Hotel, Aleppo proved to be the perfect setting for the meeting and indulged the delegates with its exceptional hospitality. The general manager of the hotel, Mr Taj Eddin Sultan made outstanding arrangements for the attendees looking into the minutest details and made sure everybody was well looked after.