CCA Looking at Major Expansion of Prestigious Private Clubs in Eastern Europe

By Rudina Hoxha & Jose Pinto

Robert Fadel is the Project Development Director of CCA International, The Club Company, which is one of the leading international hospitality companies engaged in the development and management of prestigious private members clubs, golf clubs and country clubs in Asia, Europe and the Middle East since 1982.

The company has a professional team of multinational specialists in international Club, Golf and Boutique Hotel Management.

Fadel sits down with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE to talk about CCA’s expansion plans in cities like Budapest, Bucharest, Belgrade, Ljubljana and Bratislava and is now looking with great interest at Tirana where there are no private business clubs of high caliber as yet.

ROBERT FADEL, FIH

“CCA’s business model, which is resilient to economic downturn, has a proven track record since over four decades in developing and managing prestigious private clubs in Asia, Europe and the Middle East,” Fadel says.

Full interview below:

40 years experience spread over several continents and cultures. Can you share with us your best achievements and experiences?

I have no preferred country that I have worked in during my career. I have enjoyed the multi-cultural experience and managing in changing environments. Not always easy however very interesting and self-developing.

Being your background in Hospitality, what do you love about CCA?

My entire international hotel experience (well over 40 years) has given me a set of very useful transferable skills to the club industry and other businesses. We are talking about superior service standards, exceptional cuisine and member satisfaction being key to the success of a private members club. When managed well, this in turn results in a heathy bottom line very similar to the hotel business. The only difference between the club and the hotel business is that you are dealing with membership and not transient guests. Mediocre service in a club environment is not as forgiving as in hotels.

Can you explain briely how CCA International Limited works and what makes it one of the leading hospitality companies nowadays?

CCA’s business model has a proven track record since over four decades in developing and managing prestigious private clubs in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. At the outset, CCA pioneered the concept of profit generating propriety owned private club developments when most clubs were being established on a “Not for profit” basis.

The management of private clubs is a distinct niche business, which calls for highly developed management skills in many critical areas, a firm understanding of the key elements that make a club successful and a deep, long-term corporate commitment to excellence in club management. Membership is by “invitation only”.

There CCA business model offers several advantages. Incorporating the facilities and services of a prestigious private club into any mixed-used office or residential real estate development project would benefit the developer by increasing the prestige and life-style offering for affluent residents and potential corporate tenants. The key benefits being a shortened pay back period, distinct leasing advantages, enhanced return on investment, recurring revenue streams from club operations, capital cost savings, correct positioning of membership, optimised membership sales, high member satisfaction, superior operational standards, recruitment & training and tight financial controls.

With its corporate affiliate, International Associate Clubs IAC, CCA offers a complete club business model, focused on quality delivery in all phases of the membership experience as well as reciprocal benefits in over 200 high quality city, golf and country clubs worldwide to a membership of over 330,000.

Palmerston Hotels & Resorts is another corporate affiliate of the CCA Group and represents its brand name for integrated resorts with hotel, spa, golf and real estate components.

In simple words, I love being associated with professionals and a great business – what is there not to love about that?

Can entrepreneurs from different spheres and countries join CCA?

Certainly, we are constantly looking for entrepreneurs, developers and investors to become Owners of new clubs. It is a very profitable business model so it should appeal to many!

Is CCA International Limited expanding? Is Albania on its plans?

Yes, CCA is looking with great interest at Tirana where there are no private business clubs of high caliber as yet.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUB AND THE HOTEL BUSINESS IS THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH MEMBERSHIP AND NOT TRANSIENT GUESTS. MEDIOCRE SERVICE IN A CLUB ENVIRONMENT IS NOT AS FORGIVING AS IN HOTELS

CCA International has appointed JPHOSPITALITY.Eu as its Business Development Consultant for Albania and Portugal. For more information, please, contact Mr. Jose Pinto at j.pinto@ccaclubs.com

What do you think people expect from the club experience like CCA today?

There are a multitude of reasons for members to join a private club. For some it is the opportunity to bring the whole family together and spend quality time with each other (e.g. at a country club), while for others it is a place to network and conduct business. Despite common membership in a single club, members’ interests and usage patterns are likely to be different. Regardless of amenities, there are certain shared attributes that provide value to a club and attracts members.

Key drivers for club expectations are personal recognition, exclusivity, privacy, comfortable and cozy ambiance, superior service standards and great food.

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