News for the Hospitality Executive |
August 6, 2012 -
The global downturn has prompted hotel
operators to challenge traditional lease or hotel management agreements
in a
bid to achieve more balanced, less risky deals with property owners,
reducing
the chance of unsustainable rental levels.
A new report from hospitality consulting and services company HVS London suggests that traditional hotel management agreements (HMAs) are becoming more owner-friendly as owners secure a level of control on operations and a guaranteed return to at least cover debt service. Report author Liliana Ielacqua, an associate with HVS London, said: “The industry is reacting and adapting to new necessities. Hotel operators don’t want to take the risk of operations on entirely themselves, and neither do property investors. “Hotel contracts are reaching a level of optimal balance between operators’ and owners’ return while preserving the value of the asset, which is ultimately what sustains both returns.” She added: “We are seeing a much more flexible approach to the hotel property market, whereby both owner and operators are more protected in a downturn, but benefit when trading improves. “Lease structures have now become more flexible, depending on the level of risk the property investor is willing to take, varying from a fixed fee from the operator, to a share of revenue or a share in the net operating income.” The report concludes that it is crucial both parties are incentivised to increase the property’s profitability as, should the hotel underperform, the owner would bear the consequences in either an HMA or a lease if the operator is not able to guarantee a level of profits that supports the rent payable. You can download a copy of ‘Hotel
Contracts: To lease or not to lease?’
by Lilian Ielacqua and Tim Smith at http://www.hvs.com/Library/Articles/.
About HVS HVS is the world’s leading consulting and services organisation focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 2,000 assignments a year for virtually every major industry participant. Through a worldwide network of 30 offices staffed by 300 industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information please visit www.hvs.com. |
Contact: Linda Pettit Tilburstow Media Partners [email protected] Mob: 07973 789853 Tim Smith, Director Tel: +44 20 7878 7729 Mob: +44 77 2578 1043 [email protected] Liliana Ielacqua, Associate Tel: +44 20 7878 7722 Mob: +44 75 1579 7205 [email protected] |