11.02.10 Interview with Mr. Udo Heine, Director of LEOPOLIS Hotel, Lviv

— For the second time the LEOPOLIS Hotel sponsors the Spring Business Forum. Please tell us why your company has agreed to support this event again?
— Western Ukraine, in particular Lviv, is one of the most attractive regions in Ukraine for investments. During the Spring Business Forum the today’s business conditions and its future prospects of Lviv region are discussed. Leading representatives of European business take part in it. The potential investors can see for themselves the most lucrative business sides of the region.

Concerning our sponsorship, first of all I like to point out that the LEOPOLIS Hotel is mainly oriented to business travellers. Considering the success of the Spring Business Forum in 2009 and its positive results, we gladly have agreed the organiser’s offer to assist again in this year’s Forum. Moreover, we hope that the Spring Business Forum will become a traditional event in Lviv.

— What has brought you to Ukraine, since we know that you were running some of the best hotels in the world?

— There is a great potential in hotel and restaurant business in Ukraine: there is a lack of not only 5 star hotels, but also not enough 4 & 3 star business hotels, not only in Lviv but also in other large cities in Ukraine (with population over 350 thousand people). That’s why I joined the well known Scandinavian company HT Property Development OU to start some developments. It is known, that hotel and restaurant business has suffered heavy losses during the actual world economic crisis but as soon as the economic situation is more stabilized — there will be a big demand for hotels of all categories with international standards. We can than use the Hotel Leopolis as a show case for successful investment and management.

— During your one year leading the LEOPOLIS Hotel it has acquired the status of the most prestigious hotel of VIP-Class in Lviv. How did you manage to reach such positive results in such a short period of time?

— To reach these standards it is really hard work for the entire management team. Permanent supervision of quality and service levels is essential, daily on the job training to international standards for the entire staff is one key to success. The other keys are maintenance to the rooms, constant maintenance of the building and all service outlets. On top you need  a creative, effective and friendly service team 24 hours a day, which can satisfy any demanding guest. “Why we are so successful?” —  We never say no to our guests, which is very unusual in Ukraine.

— All important visitors of our city look forward to stay at your hotel. What attracts them the most, what responses do you get?
— Our guests appreciate the warm and personal hospitality, our high level of service, attention to the details and flexibility. We receive only positive responses and 80 % return guest ratio proves that.

— Not only cosy rooms, but also the luxury restaurant "Lev restaurant" which offers the visitors meals of European and Ukrainian cuisine guarantees the success. Are your visitors satisfied?
— Oh yes, usually our guests like exquisite meals, high level and quality service. Also they appreciate that we regularly make changes in the menus, develop special holiday menus and organise different holiday events and special ethnic promotions.

— It is a well-known fact that the LEOPOLIS Hotel has all possibilities to become the first five-star hotel in Lviv. And is there any special program for the Euro-2012 visitors and participants?
— Sure, there is such program and we are already the only 5 star hotel in Lviv. Presently, we are negotiating contracts for the championship. All construction work for our extension will be finished by 2011 and the hotel will be capable to satisfy any needs of visitors from all over the world.

— It is known that LEOPOLIS Hotel is not the only investment project of the Hartwall and Therman families in Lviv who are the owners of HT Property Development and Kusіnkapіtal Ab. Could you tell a little bit about this?
— Our investors who are one of the very few, who have not stopped to develop investment projects even during the crisis. As I have already mentioned, now we are in the construction process of the second phase of the hotel. The number of rooms will be increased up to 80 rooms. There will also be a new spa centre, the conference hall, new bars and restaurants.

In December 2009 our investors successfully opened the Shopping Mall "Opera Passage" which, in my opinion, is the best in a city and can certainly compete with the top shopping centres in Europe. Under our management an exquisite supermarket / delicatessen shop the "Opera Market", a modern conference hall "Leopolis Hall" and Italian restaurant La Piazza with a very unique service concept where opened in the "Opera Passage".

We plan to open 5-8 restaurants with the same concept in other big cities in Ukraine.

— What are your expectations from this year Spring Business Forum?    
— I hope Lviv can show and prove to be one of the most attractive cities of Ukraine for investments. Our hotel, the Opera Passage and our future investment plans are good examples for this.