“Enriching Your Life” An Interview with Peter C. Borer, Director and Chief Operating Offi cer, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, Hong Kong EDITORS’ NOTE Peter Borer joined in October 2009 – will do very well, The Peninsula Group in 1981 as especially with the World Expo taking Food and Beverage Manager of place in the city from May to October The Peninsula Manila. Since that 2010. time, he has held various exec- How critical is it to have in- utive and managerial positions volved and engaged ownership within the company in Hong Kong that have a long-term business skin and personal care products, candles, and and Bangkok, including General view and continue to invest in the CDs. When we planned to open spas in several Manager of the fl agship Peninsula properties? of our hotels, we decided to partner with an Hong Kong, Regional General It is vital. As the third genera- expert in the fi eld, so after extensive research, Manager of Asian properties, and tion of the majority shareholders, we entered into a partnership with U.K. spa Group General Manager for Asia. the Kadoorie family and our current consultancy ESPA. As a full-service consultancy, Borer is a graduate of the Lausanne Peter C. Borer Chairman, The Honorable Sir Michael ESPA assisted us with the design, building, train- Hotel School in Switzerland. Kadoorie, takes a long-term view for ing, and overall management of the individual the hotel company, which explains our philoso- spas, and continues staff training on an ongoing COMPANY BRIEF The Hongkong phy of not taking on management contracts, but basis, together with a constant collection of new and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH; rather always investing. Location is also key, and treatments. ESPa’s emphasis on training and in- www.hoshgroup.com) which was incorporated we are prepared to sit it out until the perfect site novation aligns perfectly with our own brand in 1866 and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock comes along, hence the superlative locations of attributes, so it is an ideal partnership. Exchange, is a holding company whose subsid- our two newest hotels, The Peninsula Tokyo We offer Peninsula Spas by ESPA in our iaries and its jointly controlled entity are en- (2007), located in the heart of Marunouchi in hotels in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo gaged in the ownership and management of Ginza opposite the Imperial Palace, and the and Bangkok, New York and Chicago, and have prestigious hotel, commercial, and residential newly opened Peninsula Shanghai (2009), the also just introduced Simply Peninsula by ESPA, properties in key destinations in Asia and the only new building in over 60 years to be con- a range of treatments and products created and U.S. The hotel portfolio of the group comprises The structed on the historic Bund. produced exclusively for Peninsula by ESPA. Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula New York, What are your plans for expansion, As you look to 2010, what are the The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly and would you highlight some of the prop- key priorities that you are focused on for Hills, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula erties in development for the brand? the brand in order to make sure that you Bangkok, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula We just opened The Peninsula Shanghai maintain your leadership position in the Manila, and The Peninsula Shanghai. The prop- in October 2009, and are currently working on industry? erty portfolio of the group includes The Repulse The Peninsula Paris, which will open in 2012. Every great company has a history, and The Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and The Peak Ideally situated in the exclusive 16e arrondisse- Peninsula Hotels is no exception. As one of the Tram, St. John’s Building, The Landmark in Ho ment of Paris, two blocks from the Place de world’s oldest hotel companies dating from 1866, Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and the Thai Country l’Etoile and the Champs Élysées, it was for- our philosophy through the years has always been Club in Bangkok, Thailand. merly the Hotel Majestic which opened in 1908. a focus on offering personalized service, outstand- George Gershwin wrote much of his oeuvre “An ing facilities, and excellent value, together with a How has the global economic downturn af- American in Paris” there, and the Paris Peace fi rm commitment to our local communities. This fected the travel and tourism industry, and Accords were signed there in 1973 in its later will continue, but with the aim of further enhanc- what is your outlook for the business in reincarnation as the Centre International des ing the guest experience in each of our hotels. In 2010? Conferences of the French Government. 2010, we are introducing “Enriching Your Life,” Like most other companies, we have seen Many leading properties today have an innovative program that further defi nes not a downturn in our business this year, caused placed a major emphasis on offering high- only our guests’ experiences, but those of their both by cutbacks in business and leisure travel end spa/fi tness facilities. Peninsula Hotels friends, family, and our communities – in short, budgets, and particularly for business travelers, is known to be a leader with its spa prod- a theme that provides guests and those important as corporate travel policies are not permitting uct. How much of a focus has this been for to them with an integral collection of experiences them to stay in luxury properties, especially if you, and would you provide an overview designed to enrich, enlighten, and educate. Topics their companies are making layoffs at home. of your focus on the spa product for the will include “The Art of Hospitality,” focusing on But we are seeing the light at the end of the properties? hotels’ art, antiques, and programs with local art tunnel and look forward to a modest upswing We have introduced a group-wide program establishments; “Milestones of Life,” in celebra- in business in all of our hotels. However, while called “Peninsula Wellness,” incorporating all tion of life’s special occasions; and new Peninsula our other properties in Asia and the U.S. have aspects of healthy living for our guests, whether Academy programs, fundraising, volunteering ac- been affected, the China market seems to be staying in our hotels or before/after their visits. tivities, and much more.• holding fi rm, so we anticipate that our newest The program includes spas, Naturally Peninsula hotel – the peninsula shanghai, which opened light and healthful cuisine, and Simply Peninsula The Peninsula Shanghai lobby and entrance (above left and right) 104 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2010 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 33, NUMBER 1.