UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
HOSPITALITY WORLDWIDE SERVICES, INC.
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(Name of issuer)
COMMON STOCK
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(Title of class of securities)
44106N 10 0
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(CUSIP number)
Robert A. Berman Robert H. Friedman, Esq.
Hospitality Worldwide Services, Inc. Olshan Grundmam Frome Rosenzweig
450 Park Avenue, Suite 2603 & Wolosky LLP
New York, New York 10022 505 Park Avenue
(212) 223-0699 New York, New York 10022
(212) 753-7200
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(Name, address and telephone number of person
authorized to receive notices and communications)
April 1, 1999
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(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box / /.
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement o. (A fee is
not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7).
Note. Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be
sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
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CUSIP No. 44106N 10 0 13D Page 2 of 6 Pages
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================================================================================
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Robert A. Berman
###-##-####
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / /
(b) / /
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
PF
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) / /
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OR ORGANIZATION
United States Citizen
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NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY 735,598
OWNED BY ---------------------------------------------------------------
EACH 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
REPORTING
PERSON WITH Not Applicable
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9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
735,598
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10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
Not Applicable
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11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
PERSON
735,598
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12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES* / /
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13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.5%
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14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
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CUSIP No. 44106N 10 0 13D Page 3 of 6 Pages
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Item 1. Security and Issuer
-------------------
The title of the class of equity security to which this statement
relates is the Common Stock, $.01 par value of Hospitality Worldwide Services,
Inc., a New York corporation ("Hospitality"). The principal executive office of
Hospitality is located at 450 Park Avenue, Suite 2603, New York, New York 10022.
Item 2. Identity and Background
-----------------------
(a) This statement is being filed by Robert A. Berman.
(b) Mr. Berman has a business address at 450 Park Avenue, Suite 2603,
New York, New York 10022.
(c) Mr. Berman is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Hospitality.
(d) During the last five years, Mr. Berman has not been convicted in
a criminal proceeding.
(e) During the last five years, Mr. Berman has not been a party to a
civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction
subjecting him to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations
of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, Federal or State
securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Mr. Berman is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
-------------------------------------------------
On March 26, 1998, Watertone Holdings LP, a Delaware limited
partnership ("Watertone") distributed an aggregate of 1,100,000 shares of
Hospitality common stock amongst its equity holders. Mr. Berman is an equity
holder in Watertone and received 474,085 shares of Hospitality common stock in
this distribution.
On November 13, 1998, Mr. Berman purchased 10,000 shares of
Hospitality common stock on the open market at a purchase price of $5.0625 per
share. These shares were purchased with personal funds.
On December 11, 1998, Watertone distributed a portion of its assets to
its equity holders. As part of such distribution, Mr.
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CUSIP No. 44106N 10 0 13D Page 4 of 6 Pages
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Berman elected to receive the value of his equity interest in the form of
Hospitality common stock, which distribution amounted to an aggregate of 66,666
shares of such common stock.
On April 1, 1999, Mr. Berman purchased 184,847 shares of Hospitality
common stock in a privately negotiated transaction at a purchase price of $2.33
per share. These shares were purchased with personal funds. This purchase caused
Mr. Berman to become a 5% shareholder in Hospitality.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
----------------------
Mr. Berman intends to hold the acquired shares of common stock for
investment purposes and not to facilitate a possible acquisition of control of
Hospitality. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, depending on the pricing,
availability of the common stock, future developments at and pertaining to
Hospitality, other investment and business opportunities available to Mr.
Berman, and general economic conditions, Mr. Berman may determine to purchase,
in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise,
additional shares of common stock or otherwise seek to obtain control of
Hospitality. In addition, depending on the factors described above, Mr. Berman
also may determine to sell in the open market, in privately negotiated
transactions, or otherwise, all or part of their shares of Hospitality common
stock.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
------------------------------------
(a) As of the date hereof, Mr. Berman holds 735,598 shares of
Hospitality common stock. Such shares constitute 5.5% of the shares of
Hospitality common stock outstanding as of the date hereof. As of the date
hereof there were 13,354,164 shares of Hospitality common stock outstanding.
(b) Mr. Berman has sole power to vote and to dispose of all of the
shares of Hospitality common stock referred to in paragraph (a) above.
(c) See "Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds and Other Consideration"
for information as to shares of Hospitality common stock recently acquired or
disposed of by Mr. Berman. Except as disclosed therein, Mr. Berman has not
acquired, within the past 60 days, any shares of Hospitality common stock.
(d) No person, other than Mr. Berman, has the right to receive or the
power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of,
the shares of Hospitality common stock that are the subject of this Schedule
13D.
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CUSIP No. 44106N 10 0 13D Page 5 of 6 Pages
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Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships
With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
None.
Item 7. Material Exhibits to Schedule 13D.
None.
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CUSIP No. 44106N 10 0 13D Page 6 of 6 Pages
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SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Dated: May 21, 1999
/s/ Robert A. Berman
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Robert A. Berman
