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Two years’ value of journey desires has raised folks’s expectations by means of the roof. Hoteliers are tasked with assembly and surpassing their company’ expectations, even because the hospitality trade faces inner challenges prefer it hasn’t within the final half a century.
Hospitality leaders in these turbulent occasions have been going through these challenges with grace, offering company with unforgettable experiences.
Insights Success got here throughout one such chief, Cenk Ünverdi, Regional General Manager at Rixos Hotels within the Gulf Region.
Cenk is a hospitality trade veteran who has confronted many storms and has come out higher each time. He leads by actively listening to the wants of his company, the 2000 folks underneath his command, and himself.
Cenk’s management has elevated the Rixos Hotels model by means of strategic and high-profile partnerships; all Rixos properties at the moment received the World Travel Awards in April 2019 underneath his command.
Cenk Ünverdi shares his expertise about his journey within the hospitality trade, the challenges he confronted alongside the way in which, and establishing Rixos as a pacesetter of 360° visitor experiences.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Briefly describe your skilled journey up till now.
I convey over 15 years of expertise within the resort trade. My complete hospitality profession has been splendidly spent with Rixos, a life-style resort model that I contemplate my dwelling. Being the Regional General Manager, I at the moment oversee 5 lodges in UAE and gearing for upcoming lodges within the wider GCC area.
What challenges did you face alongside the way in which?
It is inevitable to face challenges alongside the way in which, and for me, each problem is a studying curve to enhance and do higher. Recovering from the pandemic was one of many challenges all of us confronted on this trade. From dealing with the pandemic nicely to implementing distinctive gives to maintain up with the market amidst the robust competitors to always embracing technological and digital adjustments, I’m fairly lucky that I’ve a workforce who sees each problem as a possibility.
What vital influence have you ever dropped at the hospitality trade?
Rixos is a rising model, and I lead a relentless quest to determine the model because the chief in setting the stage for memorable 360° visitor experiences. Rixos Hotels have launched revolutionary leisure and wellness applications within the Middle East, from staged reveals to thrilling inventive actions for youngsters at Rixy Kids Club to action-packed challenges at Exclusive Sports Club – and they aren’t simply that. We take delight in our Kids Club – it is without doubt one of the largest locations within the trade; it’s each baby’s dream. It’s the place imaginations come to life. There is at all times one thing for each desire. Our leisure is so distinctive that each visitor will discover one thing for them. It’s extra than simply singing and dancing; it’s a efficiency of a lifetime. Our Exclusive Sports Club gives a big selection of health applications appropriate for all ages – and it’s greater than that. These health applications are carried out uniquely with our well-experienced trainers. We do issues; in a different way. We see issues that others don’t. They are extra than simply added values; they’re in themselves a pillar in making company’ keep particular. We always enhance and innovate; we at all times know what works and switch what doesn’t into one thing greater and higher.
Tell us about Rixos Hotels Gulf Region and its basis pillar.
Rixos Hotels Gulf Region is a well-liked life-style vacation spot with a flock of high quality celebrities, trendsetters, and influencers noticed on each nook from day to nighttime. Its strategic location and distinctive design have stored its prime place amongst its rivals, with Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites to be in the identical disposition sometime. Rixos Premium Dubai has 414 well-kept visitor rooms with breathtaking views of Ain Dubai and trendy facilities, vibrant eating and nightlife venues, and unequalled providers. The property always innovates with the aggressive panorama of town by means of distinctive visitor service experiences. Moreover, Rixos Hotels Gulf Region has a longstanding partnership with distinctive manufacturers resembling Ammos, Asil, Azure, Black Tap, Lock, Stock & Barrel, Luigia, and STK. These manufacturers repeatedly redefine the leisure, eating, and nightlife scene in Dubai, and these manufacturers set the resort aside from the ever-growing competitors in Dubai.
How does Rixos Hotels Gulf Region promote workforce flexibility, and what’s your function in it?
Leading a workforce of greater than 2000 colleagues, I worth not solely the bodily but in addition the psychological well-being of our colleagues. Not solely in Rixos Hotels Gulf Region however throughout all Rixos properties within the area, we attempt to coordinate varied actions with the assistance of Talent & Culture to be sure that each single colleague is happy and motivated with their day-to-day actions. We have applied a “Speakeasy Committee Meeting” the place everybody can overtly and freely talk about their suggestions and opinion. We hear and actively encourage open dialogue for change. My biggest success lies inside my workforce, and they’re the important thing to creating the most effective Rixos moments for our company.
What is your tackle expertise’s significance, and the way are you leveraging it?
I impressed the workforce to kickstart digital from scratch and efficiently set up a digital ecosystem throughout Rixos properties within the area. Moreover, my ardour for the digital panorama and innovation performs a major function within the success of varied campaigns, particularly after the brink of the pandemic. We reside in a world pushed by expertise, and this can be very necessary to remain up-to-date with the present developments. I constantly get myself concerned with our digital efforts and be sure that each single penny we’re spending has a return for the enterprise and creates consciousness.
What would be the subsequent vital change within the hospitality trade, and the way are you making ready for it?
We are in a really aggressive hospitality panorama, and alter is inevitable on this trade. We attempt to always innovate and be sure that our company will expertise one thing they’ve by no means skilled earlier than. It is the period of digitalization, and we plan forward, brainstorm as a workforce, take heed to everybody’s concepts and be sure that we’re at all times ready for no matter is coming our manner.
What are your objectives within the upcoming future?
My aim is to guide the market with innovation and pave the way in which for brand spanking new tales within the hospitality forefront. Rixos Hotels is all about making an announcement by means of every vacation spot. It is a promising, younger, and energetic model, and we, as a workforce, proceed to reside as much as its model DNA. We are trying ahead to additional increasing our footprint throughout the GCC area. We are greater than a resort, greater than a model, and also you’ll be listening to extra of this quickly.
What recommendation would you want to provide the subsequent era of aspiring enterprise leaders?
My recommendation is to embrace studying and at all times be open to concepts. We reside in a world powered by expertise, social media, and the most recent and rising pattern – influencer advertising. The developments always change, and we have to sustain with the velocity of it. Learning by no means stops, particularly on this trade. Every alternative and problem can at all times be changed into a studying expertise. Always be open to concepts; even the smallest ones can have an effect on the enterprise considerably. Listening can go a good distance. Listen to your self, take heed to your colleagues, and extra importantly, take heed to what your company wants. Last however not least, discover ways to worth simplicity. For simplicity generates an unequalled magnificence.
