INTERVIEW: Philip Wei, MD of BTL Hospitality and Hotels & Preference, Asia Pacific

Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi is a 5 star Hotel offering visitors a broad variety of facilities, including dining outlets with Asian, European and local cuisine, a recreation center with a 25 m-long indoor swimming pool, a gym, 3D golf simulation, 246 guestrooms and unique Meeting Facilities.

BTL Hospitality owns the master franchise rights of French top luxury international hotel group HÔTELS & PRÉFÉRENCE and was founded in 2012. BTL Hospitality aims to mix the elegant French style with the tradition with local characteristics of China in order to build a new concept in hotel management.

On the 14th of October, Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi celebrated its one year anniversary. The event was specially attended by Managing Director of BTL Hospitality, Mr. Philip Wei. GEORGIA TODAY met with Mr. Wei to find out more about BTL hospitality and its future plans.

What are main organizational objectives and missions of BTL hospitality?

BTL hospitality is the company that I created four years ago. I’ve been working for 25 years in this industry, in almost every department and position- from room service guy to Vice President, from 4 star hotel to luxury resorts. After attaining a great deal of experience in this industry, four years ago I finally decided it was time to do something on my own, instead of working for some big international companies. The same year I contacted Hotels & Preference and we signed the franchise agreement for our mutual benefit. My mission involves setting up a 20 year-long target: in twenty years I want our company to be among the top ten most famous Chinese hospitality companies in the world.

What is the main advantage of BTL hospitality and the hotel chain Hotels & Preference?

I think one of the important benefits is that BTL Hospitality is a Chinese company and China has an industry which has been growing rapidly over the last 30 years. The Chinese industry is already ready to have a strong Chinese brand to approach the international market with. The advantage of Hotels and Preference is that it has existed for 15 years and has a sufficient amount of experience in the hotel industry to share its practice with us and provide us with European standards of elegance and eloquence.

Why was the Georgian market attractive to you?

I think the Georgian market has high potential for growth; it is a growing market, like China. There have, of course, been times when the economy was at a standstill, but recently I have seen growth that indicates to the huge potential for us foreign investors. Additionally, Georgia is famous for its hospitality, delicious food, beautiful scenery, attractions for tourists – everything that is necessary for the hospitality sector.

What main local factors need to be taken into the consideration when opening a branch in Tbilisi?

I think here we face with same challenges that China was facing 25 years ago. As for our brand, as we aim to develop the highest luxury standard, I would not say that challenges are associated with any one country or market, but with the whole system. Our slogan is "tradition with elegance", in every country we try to keep traditions and enrich it with French elegance- sort of similar to the concept of ‘globalization-’ but our activities are not too standardized. We aim to celebrate the difference, but also keep the standards.

How do you as an organization keep up with the industry trends?

It is very important to keep an eye on industry trends as they are changing so rapidly. Where, before, the biggest travelers were from the western world, nowadays there are from Asia. It is important to know your market and always have up-to-date information. We always work with international companies in that sense, like STR, for example.

Is your growth as a hotel company limited by how many hotels you build?

I would say it is an important part of our mission. I have set out my targets. I am targeting 3000 hotels in the world. It is difficult to keep the relevant standard and quality but it is very much possible, with dedication and the right attitude.

What are your future plans for Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi?

We aim to build two more hotels in Georgia. We are planning to continue our business relationship for the long term.

Natia Liparteliani