How did Accor, Cendant, Choice Hotels International, Marriott, and Hilton become the largest hotel chains in the worldand what strategies will they use to continue their growth? This first-of-its-kind textbook presents a balanced overview of the theory and practice of hotel chains’ growth strategies. It explains in-depth how

How did Accor, Cendant, Choice Hotels International, Marriott, and Hilton become the largest hotel chains in the worldand what strategies will they use to continue their growth? This first-of-its-kind textbook presents a balanced overview of the theory and practice of hotel chains' growth strategies. It explains in-depth how and why the largest worldwide hotel chains achieved dominant international status and shows how to forecast future developments. Authentic international examples in every chapter bring theoretical concepts into sharp focus. The Growth Strategies of Hotel Chains: Best Practices by Leading Companies is comprised of thirteen chapters, each divided into two parts. The first part sets forth the theory behind an important aspect of growth strategy. The second part of each chapter brings these theoretical arguments to life with specific case examples. For example, in the chapter on franchising, the ten largest hotel franchise businesses in the world are discussed in detailincluding their actual fees and how they function, with helpful commentary on each. This format, designed with educators' needs in mind, is consistent throughout the text. Charts, tables, and figures make complex information easy to access and understand. The Growth Strategies of Hotel Chains: Best Practices by Leading Companies examines: the question of diversification vs. specialization vertical, horizontal, and diagonal integration acquisitions, mergers, and strategic alliances franchise contracts, management contracts, leaseholds, and ownership branding and globalization why European chains usually expand via property acquisitions and rentals while most American chains prefer management contracts and franchising Packed with information yet written in language that students and hospitality executives can understand, this unique, comprehensive textbook deserves a place in every teaching/training/professional library.

Understanding the global hotel business is not possible without paying specific attention to hotel chain management and dynamics. Chains are big business, approximately 80 percent of hotels currently being constructed around the world are chain affiliated and, in 2014, the five largest brands held over a one million rooms. The high economic importance of the hotel chains and their global presence justifies the academic research in the field however, despite this, there is no uniform coverage in the current body of literature. This Handbook aids in filling the gap by exploring and critically evaluates the debates, issues and controversies of all aspects of hotel chains from their nature, fundamentals of existence and operation, expansion, strategic and operational aspects of their activities and geographical presence. It brings together leading specialists from range of disciplinary backgrounds and regions to provide state-of-the-art theoretical reflection and empirical research on current issues and future debates. Each of the five inter-related section explores and evaluates issues that are of extreme importance to hotel chain management, focusing on theoretical issues, the expansion of hotel chains, strategic and operational issues, the view point of the individual affiliated hotel and finally the current and future debates in the theory and practice of hotel chain management arising from globalisation, demographic trends, sustainability, and new technology development. It provides an invaluable resource for all those with an interest in hotel management, hospitality, tourism and business encouraging dialogue across disciplinary boundaries and areas of study. This is essential reading for students, researchers and academics of Hospitality as well as those of Tourism, Marketing, Business and Events Management.

The last decade was marked by a tremendous growth in the luxury market, strong buying power, and increased demand in luxury goods. The financial crisis of 2007-2008 did not stop nor affect consumers from purchasing and enjoying luxury products and services. In particular, new money came from the emerging markets. In the time of financial crisis, it is the high-end inconspicuous, and fully priced products that are flying off the shelves (Clifford, 2011). Given its success, the luxury market has become dynamic and competitive. Every luxury brand aims to differentiate itself and stand out from its competitors by strengthening its brand image, sustaining its market position, and penetrating its targeted market segments. In the hospitality industry, luxury hotel chains are part of the luxury market. Hence, they also benefit from the growth of this market and are continuously prospering and expanding globally. Given that the current business environment in the hospitality industry is changing dramatically, luxury hotel chains are facing intense competition, rapid technological advances, and increasing consumer sophistication. Therefore, every luxury hotel chain is striving to keep up and anticipate the changing behavior and expectations of their target consumers, and consequently, earn brand and consumer loyalty. Marketing strategy becomes crucial for hotel practitioners because this important step leads their companies to succeed in terms of building brand awareness, gaining consumer loyalty, attracting investor interest, and generating company revenues.

This book is a collection of selected papers presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Management and Business Economics (AEDEM), held at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Barcelona, 05 – 07 June, 2012. This edition of the conference has been presented with the slogan “Creating new opportunities in an uncertain environment”. There are different ways for assessing uncertainty in management but this book mainly focused on soft computing theories and their role in assessing uncertainty in a complex world. The present book gives a comprehensive overview of general management topics and discusses some of the most recent developments in all the areas of business and management including management, marketing, business statistics, innovation and technology, finance, sports and tourism. This book might be of great interest for anyone working in the area of management and business economics and might be especially useful for scientists and graduate students doing research in these fields.

Handbook of Hospitality Strategic Management provides a critical review of mainstream hospitality strategic management research topics. Internationally recognized leading researchers provide thorough reviews and discussions, reviewing strategic management research by topic, as well as illustrating how theories and concepts can be applied in the hospitality industry. This book covers all aspects of strategic management in hospitality. The depth and coverage of each topic is unprecedented. A must-read for hospitality researchers and educators, students and industry practitioners.