After the launch of the 100/10 program that seeks to build one hundred new hotels within ten years, the businessman Luis Fernando Correa, owner of the business network that bears his name, announced his intention to replicate the project in the continental scope with the construction of one hundred hotels in different countries, within a period of 15 years.
In a dialogue with HOTEL MANAGEMENT, Correa explained that the original plan in Colombia was developed to take advantage of a series of benefits and tax exemptions that the government decreed to stimulate construction and the hotel sector, "but it was very successful and today we have received proposals to develop a similar initiative in Latin America." Declared.
The strategy correa has designed for the initiative to succeed is based on finding key locations for hotels, which would mainly be dedicated to the corporate segment; this involves construction in business centers, near airports and in the commercial and financial areas of cities.
To that is added the formula of "good, beautiful and cheap" that, according to Correa, will allow us to offer a service with quality and category, maintaining competitive prices: "For that we focus on reducing local costs; my experience of many years in the hotel industry allows me to know where I can cut without affecting the guest."
Correa also said that his plan is viable thanks to different competitive and comparative advantages that we have, including prices in terms of construction (cost per square meter and inputs) which is lower than in other regions, as well as the knowledge of the market that he has accumulated. "It's about building hotels knowing the hotel sector. Do not repeat the experience that Colombia had a few years ago when everyone saw that there were good chances of success and dedicated itself to building hotels without having the slightest idea of the matters of operation and management that are typical of this business, "he said.
