In a recent interview, Arasi stated that he intendsto pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in the hospitality industry,which could mean either starting his own company or joining an alreadyexisting enterprise. A company release said that he will remain with thecompany as a consultant.

However, one leading industry consultant who declined to be named forthis article says that Arasi's year-and-a-half tenure in the post"was a big disappointment." He said that Arasi's failed in two majorassignments given him: the integration of Inter-Continental with Bassand the enhancement of the Crowne Plaza chain. "He was givenextraordinary patience because the expectations were high," he says,"and he finally figured out he wasn't doing a good job and theorganization figured out he wasn't doing a good job. So there he goes."

The consultant did not sound any more enthusiastic about Sweetwood,whose background is in marketing. Bass "needs guys who haveorganizational strategy skills," he says.