HIGHGATE — Now The Largest Third Party Hotel Operator In The Caribbean/Latam, And Growing!
Richard Millard — Managing Director, Highgate
On a recent call with Richard Millard – Managing Director of Highgate – he shared with me exciting developments for tourism in the Caribbean / Latam markets, as Trust Hospitality – which he formerly headed – was acquired by Highgate in October 2020. This has given Highgate the advantage of scale and in-region contacts, leading to more competitive rates to access and purchase hospitality equipment and supplies, and dynamically grow the goodwill of the business. It also gives Highgate a solid footprint in the region as it acquired Trust’s assets in the Caribbean / Latam, on which an expansionist momentum is now being built out on its present 2,800 room stock. With the region so close to the USA, Richard expects strong demand for hotel rooms as tourists will see the post-pandemic benefits of holidaying closer to home.
“The beauty of Tulum is reminiscent to the south of France and many hotel brands are lining up to have a presence there, due to high demand for rooms from travellers seeking to explore the natural treasures of the region”
Highgate is an approved third-party operator of hotel properties, supporting the growth of such major brands as Marriott and Hilton; and the ROI of owners of the hotel buildings. As hotel brands grow in the Caribbean / Latam, they lease buildings from owners, and instead of directly operating the hotel, contract a third-party operator such as Highgate to professionally manage the property. Highgate develops the hotel, structures the balance sheet, accesses financing, opens the property, manages the revenue and accounting, marketing, operations, public relations, purchasing of supplies, and delivers on key targets of customer satisfaction and revenue for both the hotel brand and the property owner. All the time the Highgate name is in the background working delivering results to all parties.
The Aloft Tulum by Marriott is the most recent expansion in Highgate’s Caribbean / Latam portfolio. This property imbued with avant-garde chic, on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, is near to the UNESCO World Heritage Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Richard shared, “The beauty of Tulum is reminiscent to the south of France and many hotel brands are lining up to have a presence there, due to high demand for rooms from travellers seeking to explore the natural treasures of the region”.
Highgate is expanding its hotel management in the region across the entire range of property types – European Plan, All-Inclusive, bed and breakfast, value properties, mid-value, to luxury offerings. Later this year, they will open their first managed property in Jamaica, the “ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton”, heralding local property developers ‘Rebirth of Kingston’, who are now investing in restoring the downtown business district to its former glory of the 1960’s heydays.
Stay tuned for more as JamaquePARADIS looks forward to taking our readers on an inside look at a selection of Highgate properties to be featured in our printed magazine and across our digital and social media platforms.