[OOOMdesignStudios]

What if you opened a new restaurant or hotel, and everything in it was made in the location's country?

With the world economy as it is, people are being more and more responsive to a "this was made here, not overseas, so we are supporting the local economy" vibe.

What a huge tag-line for opening! "Made in the USA", or "Made in Canada" or "Made in Spain" or whatever country you're in...If it was in a country such as the USA, you'd could get huge press for that.

It would cost a little bit more, but with the right team it would most certainly pay for itself in the end.

Now that everything is "green" so headlines are declining, what do you think of tapping into this concept and market?

[chinaman]

Hello OOOM,

Personally, I think many have become quite price-sensitive since the economy crisis.

Its hard to say until you can provide some numbers comparing the difference in FF&E costs and operating costs.

Are cleaning products going to be local? Workers going to be local? etc.

How would you build a resort in somewhere like the Maldives? Where do you even find building materials or the expertise to turn a flat land in to a 5* resort? It won't be local.

I'm pretty price-sensitive myself... the last time I saw anything that said "Made in Canada," I knew I was being over charged. That's how I and many people I know feels.

Do your research though, there are always unknown opportunities out there.

Cheers,
CC

[OOOMdesignStudios]

Hi Chinaman

You're very right in that in a lot of exotic resort locations, it just wouldn't be possible. It would be possible there, however, to use local artisans for all of your art. In some places perhaps all of your dishes are hand made locally. Hand-made porcelain sinks, etc. There are still opportunities to employ the local countrymen & women and give back to the beautiful country in that way, and tourists would love that! It would take some searching by your designer to find the best artisans, but it certainly wouldn't be impossible. And, moreover, it wouldn't have to look ancient or tribal unless that was part of your hotel or restaurant concept. Find the right artisans and you'll be able to get any look you're after. It would also be fantastic PR!!!!!

In highly developed countries, though, there would be the possibility. And right now is an especially good time to take advantage of the economy...cost negotiations will work in your favor since work is scarce. People are desperate for work and contracts, so take advantage of that and everyone wins. You pay less, they have work. Beautiful.

Sometimes, "made in Canada" does mean that you pay more. Sometimes it's unfair, so you simply pass those suppliers by. Sometimes, however, it's not that much more and it is perfectly fair since you're simply paying fair labor costs, etc. BUT THERE ARE OTHER PLACES TO SAVE EXTREME AMOUNTS OF MONEY THAT WILL MAKE UP FOR IT!!! And some Canadian suppliers do NOT overcharge. One that sticks out in my mind is Stylus Sofas. They are in Burnaby and make their furniture right there. Their costs are just slightly higher than getting your furniture from overseas, and their quality is incomparable. I have used Stylus in several of my hotel designs. Their furniture lasts forever, as long as as the correct upholstery is used (there are hotels in the chain I designed for that are over 20 years old and still have the original sofas and lounge chairs in them, still in great condition.). Check them out at stylussofas.com .

There are several ways to save lots and lots of money that won't hurt anybody and will keep your wallets plump

First and foremost, you must hire a designer who understands costs and ways to save intimately, like myself. I get it. Most designers don't get it at all, so you have to be very conscious of that when you hire.

I'll give you a secret to save an abundance of money - I have many more up my sleeve but do prefer to share those benefits with my clients only.

Hire a designer who is also an experienced purchaser and who can do all FF&E take-offs herself. Typically, for example, when you hire a tile contractor and he supplies the tile, you are paying retail or just below retail for said tile (same if your GC is responsible for purchasing). When I purchase for my clients, I use the long-standing relationships I have with suppliers to get prices far better than wholesale. I then pass the prices on to my clients with, depending on the contract, a very low mark-up. There you go - I just saved you thousands and thousands of dollars - maybe even over $100,000, just on your tile. Now multiply that by everything a guest sees in your hotel. I can potentially save you copious amounts of money! Designers with these qualities are rare, but you have to find one! (I'd love it to be me!)

So that is how it can be done. And no, I do not mean cleaning supplies and staff I just mean the built environment. And maybe it's 90% "made in Canada". Even that would spark interest and generate press.

True price-sensitivity comes with a team of people extremely well-versed in the land of cost-savings in the built environment - it's worth looking into, especially if you're about to build a new resort/hotel/restaurant or renovate an existing one. Anywhere in the world, my design firm can save you tons of money - that's a key thing to shop for when looking for the right designer.

Cheers

[hotelogix]

It doesn't matter where u have opened the new hotel or restaurant
The main thing here is the new hotel has all the features the customers want or not..

software for hotels

[IndianGeneralManager]

The idea is good where applicable, but then it also boils down to the guest requirements and amenities etc, are they also fully of home location, then staff etc etc

Your idea though at a raw stage if a combination of Responsible / Community Tourism, needs to evolve more before it becomes a reality or executionsable, having said that start from a Cafe and then see

Since its Steve Jobs sad demise today ( May he RIP ), as he said "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish", ( do not imply that your idea is foolish :-)

[Klaus]

I would opt to open a Chinese Restaurant in China, furnished with Chinese Furniture, Chinese Equipment, Chinese Staff, Chinese Uniforms, offering a Chinese Menu, charging guests in Chinese currency (RMB). Doe it make all sense to you? Klaus

[grem]

Yes i understand your opinion .if you want really interested in the hotel business then you have need a space where you establish your hotel.aston property management which is linked to tristate area will help you.There are many facets to this profession, including managing the accounts and finances of the real estate properties, and participating in or initiating litigation with tenants, contractors and insurance agencies.Most states require property management companies to be licensed real estate brokers if they are collecting rent, listing properties for rent or helping negotiate leases. A property manager may be a licensed real estate salesperson but generally they must be working under a licensed real estate broker.it will be help you.