BBC WORLD NEWS South Asia

Escape from the Boardroom: InterContinental Hotels Group

Documentaries

Factual

12/10/2013 GMT

InterContinental Hotels Group

Escape from the Boardroom

BBC World News - Escape from the Boardroom, InterContinental Hotels Group

CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group Jan Smits escapes from the boardroom.

CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group Jan Smits escapes from the boardroom to work alongside his staff in India, where the company has big expansion plans.

Jan Smits is the chief executive of InterContinental Hotels Group or IHG in Asia. The London-listed company is one of the world's largest hoteliers and has big expansion plans, specifically for India.

In the next two decades the South Asian nation will have one of the fastest growing travel and tourism industries. Jan and his team are looking to capitalise on this with 150 new hotels planning to open. The correct strategy will be crucial if IHG are to grow.

That's why Jan escapes from his boardroom in Singapore in order to work with his frontline hotel staff in India. He practices on the front desk, works with housekeeping, hangs out with students and graduate trainees. Jan wants to understand more about the marketplace, his workforce and how their hotels appeal to local consumers.
Along the way, Jan Smits has a number of eye-opening moments. He comes up with some new strategies to make his business work better and some invaluable insights into the Indian hospitality sector.

BBC World News

BBC  World News

Escape from the Boardroom: Spyker

How well do today's CEOs know their own businesses?

How well do today's CEOs know their own businesses? We take them out of the boardroom and put them through their paces to see what they can learn.

How well do today's CEOs know their own businesses?  We take them out of the boardroom and put them through their paces to see what they can learn. Even the most in-touch, may be surprised.

BBC WORLD NEWS North America

BBC WORLD NEWS Latin America

BBC WORLD NEWS Asia Pacific

The BBC's international 24-hour news and information channel, as seen by viewers in Africa.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Escape from the Boardroom

InterContinental Hotels Group

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC WORLD NEWS South Asia

About BBC World News