In conversation with Radisson Hotel Group’s regional director ahead of new Liverpool opening

How long have you been in the industry, and how did you come to be regional director for UK&I for Radisson Hotel Group? I joined the industry in 1990 and worked in Ireland until 1994, and then in the US until 1999. I returned to Ireland at that point with an Irish hotel group as GM in three properties, and then in 2004, I became group GM for that group of nine hotels. In 2008, I moved into the corporate finance division of one of Ireland’s leading accountancy firms as director of hotels, tourism and leisure. However, I was missing hotel operations and in 2011 I was given the opportunity to join Radisson Blu Dublin Airport as GM. In 2014, I was promoted to district director for Ireland with responsibility for all Radisson Hotels in the Republic of Ireland before finally being appointed regional director for all hotels in the UK and Ireland in 2018. In your opinion, what are the main issues currently facing the hotel industry and how is Radisson prepared to address them? We’ve seen good recovery as travel has returned in recent months. However, there is ongoing uncertainty across all industries, including the hotel industry, which we must all adapt to and learn to live with. Radisson Hotel Group is in a unique position to offer a portfolio of strong brands, solid reservation and revenue management systems along with optimal operating structures, all of which help us to achieve best in class gross operating profit margins. Many hotel groups and industry colleagues are talking about recovery by 2024 or 2025, but we are cautiously optimistic that our timeline for full recovery is by 2023. Can you tell me a little bit about the differences between each Radisson brand? We are proud to offer hotels that fit a wide range of travellers and budgets. Each brand has its own identity and uniqueness. Radisson Collection hotels are a bespoke collection of iconic properties in prime locations. Each hotel feels authentic to its location and provides immediate access to local culture and exceptional experiences. Radisson Blu is Europe’s largest upper-upscale brand providing stylish and purposeful spaces to make memories. Standing out from the crowd, Radisson Red is style-savvy and bold, becoming the ideal hub for connecting and socialising. Radisson provides a balanced, natural and delightful stay to guests, focusing on the simplicity of upscale hotels. Park Inn by Radisson masters the essentials by delivering a stress-free, friendly and fresh experience. Our upscale affiliation brand, Radisson Individuals, launched in 2020 to meet a market demand for conversion-friendly solutions that offer existing individual hotels the opportunity to join Radisson Hotel Group’s international network. Each property has its own unique features and characteristics. Are you anticipating a fully-booked opening to the new hotel in Liverpool and what have the team done to prepare for it? A huge amount of hard work and dedication is going into the creation of the soon-to-open Radisson Red Liverpool. Liverpool is an extremely popular city, and with the Christmas markets and various events planned for November and December, we anticipate the city and our hotel to be in high demand. To meet this, we have recruited an incredible team that are ready to welcome guests to this iconic building within a fantastic city. What advice would you give a smaller hotel operator on the topic of hotel openings? Have a full understanding of what is happening in the city, the peak nights such as football and any other dates for key events. Also understand where your guests are travelling from and why they are in the city, so you can ensure they have tailor-made stays. It is vital to be involved in any local hotel association; this helps you get to know your colleagues, your competitor set, and also ensures you know the business coming into the city so that you can have your fair share of it. Recruitment is also key, so give yourself enough time to recruit effectively, and do not underestimate the training needs of your new team to ensure that they are a great representative of your business and the city. Does the hotel group have anything planned for the winter months in the UK and Ireland, and how do you think the discourse surrounding energy will play into that? Our focus will be on our upcoming Radisson Red launch in Liverpool and introducing this vibrant lifestyle brand to the north of England. All industries face pressure with rising energy costs, and our dedicated facilities management teams are working continuously to ensure that our hotels are operated as responsibly and efficiently as possible. We have solid foundations on sustainability and do what we can to reduce the consumption and utility costs in buildings and operations. In the last ten years, we have reduced our energy and water footprint by 30%. Radisson Hotel Group has also committed to become net-zero by 2050, which means halving our footprint by 2030 as an intermediate goal and based on Science-Based Targets. To help us achieve those ambitious targets, we have a strategy in place. This includes increasing the energy efficiency of our buildings and focusing on renewable energy and, together with the hotel owners, we are on track to certify more hotels with green building certificates. Can you tell us about any future plans for the Radisson group? Soon to launch in the UK is our efficient and flexible brand ‘Prizeotel’, which combines high design and comfort to create an affordable space for lifestyle-minded guests on a cost-conscious budget. Travellers coming to the UK are looking for tech-savvy, high-design properties and Prizeotel will be the perfect fit for them. The aim is to provide comfortable accommodation that focuses on the essentials, while giving guests space to focus on their time in the city. In 2023, a Radisson Blu hotel is due to open in Sheffield and will be a key part of the transformation of the city centre. It will be housed in the striking Victorian architecture of Pinstone Street, retaining the original historic building façade. A rooftop bar and restaurant will look out across the main city square, featuring a vibrant setting to relax and socialise.