UK: The industry definitions charter created by Serviced Apartment News and HVS has welcomed 26 new signatories, and now includes operators with more than 230,000 units.
Signatories to the charter, which was launched by Serviced Apartment News and HVS at the 2014 Serviced Apartment Summit in London, now collectively operate more than 230,000 units – comfortably more than a quarter of the entire global industry*.
Many of the largest brands in the world are represented, including Marriott’s extended stay flags, The Ascott, Frasers, Oakwood Worldwide and Quest Apartment Hotels, as well as numerous small and medium sized operators from Europe, the Middle East, the Us and Asia Pacific.
As well as operators, recent signatories to the document include consultants, developers and agents. The new names on the document include PKF, BDRC, GVA, The AA, GBI-AG, Prem Group, Maykenbel, Resi Housing, YAYS, Base Management, Stay AKA, Vision Apartments, WWStay, Lamington, Clarendon, Hyde Park Apartments, Zoku, SDI, JLL, LCP, Cityden, The Edinburgh Collection, Blvd Suites and Brera Serviced Apartments.
Italo Melo, sales and marketing director of London operator Maykenbel, said: “Maykenbel decided to join to support the industry, hoping that collectively we can share knowledge and help build a stronger community and product, for both our colleagues and clients.”
Peter Heule, managing director of Netherlands-based Yays and Short Stray Group, said: “Setting the keystone for the serviced apartment industry is crucial to make sure we further develop the sector. Short Stay Group and Yays of course fully support the charter.”
Robert Godwin, managing director of Lamington, said: “As our sector grows, the diversity of product and service offerings continues to widen, as both new entrants and offerings enter the market. Lamington Serviced Apartments has recently launched a design led apart-hotel brand called Room 2 which aims to throw out the rule book of traditional serviced apartments in the name of improving guest experience. Whilst seeking differentiation in the market, the serviced apartment charter provided us with a concise, industry approved framework to develop our brand in line with those of competitors. The collaboration of industry partners behind the charter will directly benefit all, as consumers have greater clarity of their expectations of our maturing sector, and it is to be applauded.”
To see the latest version of the charter, with new signatories, click here.
If your company is interested in being a signatory to the charter, please email info@servicedapartmentnews.com
*Total estimated size of the industry: 826,759 units. Source: The Global Serviced Apartments Industry Report 2016/17</p
