To develop is also to anticipate, know how to occupy the terrain that the competitors will argue over when the destination will be launched. In Dubai, at the end of the 1990s, Raymond Pierre Chigot quickly saw the potential for development along Jumeirah Beach, even though it is located 10 km from the city centre - far from Creek where all the banks and business headquarters are located. “When speaking with local officials, one could feel their desire to expand the emirate and the explosion in its tourism activity. We managed to create a hotel on the best spot along Jumeirah Beach, in the perfect Hilton tradition, and create 500 rooms before the other groups took up locations in the surrounding areas”. Eight years later, no space is left for latecomers, and the financial conditions have changed dramatically. The perfect duo formed by Raymond Pierre Chigot and his Dubai investor was able to create yet another project. The investor launched an upscale apartment building project in the middle of Dubai Creek, with the Canadian architect, Carlos Ott – the creator of the Bastille Opera House - “After analysing the plan's necessary modifications, in only 48 hours, I was able to convince him that the location would be a perfect location for a second Hilton business hotel”, recalls Raymond Chigot.

“One must know how to demonstrate audacity and conviction, all the more so when one believes in one's project. Reactivity is essential in our profession, and today it is one of the most beautiful creations of our chain: futuristic and contemporary”.

There are new countries and others that return after a long and dramatic pause. This is what happened with Croatia, the flagship destination of Yugoslavia before the onset of the civil war. From this prestigious past, Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, conserved historic sites that are listed by UNESCO, and fortunately well preserved during the war.

However, the same cannot be said for its historic palaces, occupied by refugees or combatants, with little respect for the buildings. In order for Dubrovnik to regain the splendour of its past, it was necessary for the “Imperial” hotel to regain its proper place. “The city had an excellent future in the upscale hotel industry, and the challenge was to be able to create a Hilton in the historic district before the other international brands.”, explains Raymond Chigot, who focused all his effort in the Imperial. “I was able to meet with a Croatian manager, who grew up in Dubrovnik, and with whom I shared my vision to revive the Imperial if he was interested in the project”. The dream was to about to become reality. The bet to accompany the return of Croatia to the pool of major destinations would be won with the opening in May 2005 of a restored hotel, at the pinnacle of modernity, while preserving the souvenir of its tradition.

Being attentive to customer behaviour also allows one to stay ahead of the competition. In Kuwait, the large brands wanted to lodge businessmen in the city centre. But were they concerned with seeing what the Kuwaitis did in their free time? “Businessmen in the Middle East are increasingly tempted to spend time with their family, as we do in the West, and to increase the short breaks for relaxing or to renew relations with their children”, analyses Raymond Chigot. “They are not ready to jump on a plane to relax thousands of kilometres away when they have the sea and a beach right next door”. Faced with a sceptical board, Raymond Pierre Chigot proposed to construct the first family resort in Kuwait, 25 km from the capital. Following the logic of relaxation to its conclusion, he called upon a thalassotherapy specialist from Brittany to build a wellness centre along the Gulf Coast.