What are your ambitions for France?

The first NH Collection hotel opened its doors in Marseille in January 2018, it will be followed by a second hotel in this destination which will be operated under the nhow brand as we take over the Palm Beach with an opening next June 4. We will open another property in Toulouse Blagnac airport which will offer more than 1000 m² of seminar space. We will also soon open a nhow in Bordeaux.

But I certainly don't intend to stop the group's development in France at this stage. We already had two properties in France, in Lyon and Nice. I want to accelerate our development in France and sign for at least 20 properties by 2021.

Our priorities are Paris, Lille, Strasbourg, Cannes and Nice.

Why such a confidential presence in France?

It is a question of opportunity, our various external growths have led us to acquire properties located in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands or South America in addition to our domestic market. I now turn resolutely to France. We will end the year with 5 properties open, there is still a long way to go.

You are aiming for strong growth in France, have you looked at a possible takeover of Maranatha?

We have looked because they have interesting properties, but it is too complex set up.

What are your ambitions on a European scale?

In the markets I am developing (Southern Europe NDR), the objectives are clear. We already have 140 properties in Spain so our growth will be very selective. One example is Malaga where I want to open a property in the city centre.

In Italy we are already very well established with 54 properties but I think we could easily operate 40 more. We are in the process...