Hotel High-Flier Launches Unicorn Hospitality,

Calls For 'People Power' Revolution to Shake Up Industry in Asia

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. February 17, 2015

BANGKOK, Thailand - February 17, 2015 - Unicorn Hospitality, a consultancy that is the brainchild of hotel management heavyweight Yann Gouriou, was launched yesterday in Bangkok offering a 'better, smarter and more people-centric' approach to hospitality.

Mr Gouriou said Unicorn Hospitality would focus primarily on consulting to hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas, bars and the travel industry, specialising in new hotel and restaurant start-ups, launches and opening periods - the make-or-break time for most establishments.

People person: Hospitality all-rounder Yann Gouriou says it's time to refocus on the human resources that create great hospitality experiences. For high res image please click here.

"There's only one chance to make a first impression, more so than even in the age of TripAdvisor and social media," Mr Gouriou said. "So any new hotel or restaurant launching has to get everything right, which above all means getting the right people in the right positions at the right time."

Mr Gouriou is the recent former Group General Manager of AHMS The Collection, responsible for running four of Thailand's top boutique resorts, Aleenta Phuket Phang-Nga, Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi, AKARYN Samui and akyra Chura Samui, as well as pipeline projects in Chiang Mai and Cambodia.

Previously, he has worked in almost every department of top hotels and resorts in Asia, Europe, the South Pacific, the Middle East and the Caribbean, including stints as Resident Manager of Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa in Bermuda, and as Food & Beverage Manager of Bangkok-based Lebua Hotel's Dome complex.

He has built an impressive bank of knowledge in all operational and financial aspects of running small, medium and large-volume hotels. Now, he is primed to channel that knowledge, experience and expertise into helping create the future hospitality brands of Asia.

Mr Gouriou said he had no qualms about taking a 'disruptive' approach to the industry, which took itself too seriously and was often mired in tired mindsets and outdated methods, missing the big picture.

"Take a step back, stop and think about it. In hospitality, your people should come first. Everything else follows. That is Unicorn Hospitality's slogan and guiding philosphy. It should be axiomatic in hospitality, but so often it is not the case.

"The unicorn is mythical but Unicorn Hospitality is real, and we are here to give the old school a poke in the eye. We are all about offeing intelligent, innovative yet field-tested ways to do business in Thailand and beyond."

Unicorn Hospitality is offering a full range of operational, technical and development services for hotels, as well as assistance with recruitment, head-hunting, and creative ideas to get brand cut-through and improved profitability.

Unicorn Hospitality is based in Bangkok, and will cater primarily to hospitality brands in Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Hua Hin. Mr Gouriou said he would consider working with brands further afield if the chemistry was right and the project was one to which he could add value.

Created as an alternative to the traditional management consultants, Unicorn Hospitality has one unerring purpose and vision: to get buinesses and brands working by getting their people working.

"A successful hotel launch happens when you have teams in perfect step, and individuals empowered to learn, grow and shine.

"We are launching with lean, flexible fee structures that put our expertise within the reach of young entrepreneurs and industry newcomers. Our dynamic, lifestyle-centred approach syncs with the entrepreneurial spirit and how we live and work today."

Each project begins with a deep dive into the brand and a recommendation of what is required to achieve success. The full suite of services offered by Unicorn Hospitality comprises the following areas of expertise:

• Recruitment & head-hunting
• Project and concept development
• Technical & pre-opening services
• Launch & first year specialists
• Owner representation
• Business optimization and troubleshooting
• Targetting investors
• Creative ideas to capture consumer and media attention

Contact:
Kamolux (Mint) Israngkul Na Ayuthaya
Communications Director - Thailand
Delivering Asia Communications
Direct Phone: +66 (0) 2246 1159
Mobile Phone: +66 (0) 89 920 6980
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.deliveringcommunications.com