Alexei Evchenko, managing partner of ArtBuild Hotel Group, took part in the outstanding event of hotel real estate on the territory of the CIS – the 8th Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) took place from 15-17 October at the Radisson Royal Hotel Moscow. Annually, this leading regional event unites professionals of hotel industry such as: investors, operators, developers, financiers, consultants, and government officials, which are working in tourism field. Every year RHIC combines a large number of participants, and 2012 was no exception. In total this year's event brought together more than 500 delegates from all over world.
For three days, more than 60 world leaders of hospitality industry shared their experiences. The comprehensive conference programme included interviews with leading hoteliers, forecasts from top economists and panel discussions on the latest developments, trends and the best practice in the hotel and investment industry. Also the event offered to visit exhibition with stands of large companies, which are operating in Russia and the CIS.
The main topics of the forum:
- Square talk with the players of "luxury" segment: development of historical and symbolic objects.
- Regional hotels in Russia – long term game – the flexibility in changeable market conditions.
- Franchise: Yes or no?
- How to increase the investment return from the independent hotel – an outward glance.
- What gives the usage of the brand?
- Involvement of shared financing.
- Arguments for a serious relationship to tourism.
According to Alexei Yevchenko, "Such events help our hoteliers to move in a right direction. Russia, historically, is always ahead in its development, but we have a unique chance to avoid many mistakes and take an advantage of successful experience to realize tourism and hotel projects. So, for example, it was interesting to learn more about the real support programs of the country's hotel market, not only from the officials, but also from hoteliers. Russian example confirms that strong-partnership between the state and the hotel sector can achieve truly meaningful results.
In addition, leading hoteliers shared their vision of the new trends, which are specific for market development of hotel services all over the CIS. Special attention was paid for displacement of investment interests from Europe, because of current economic instability, to Asia and the CIS market. In particular, it was mentioned, that the country that takes an advantage of opportunities and creates the most favorable climate for current "frozen" investment gets a great chance to "pour" into its economic a free resources for a long time. According to speakers, in the hotel sector investment interest in Russia is 80%, in Ukraine – 12%, and the remaining 8% is divided among other countries of CIS. To my mind, we have to use this unique opportunity right now to create the most favorable conditions for "a long" coming investment money in Ukrainian hotel sector in particular and in national economic in general".
