Luxury Hoteliers Magazine 2nd Quarter 2018 | Page 13

WHAT IS THE CORE VALUE THAT YOU REINFORCE EVERY DAY AS GENERAL MANAGER? Teamwork. Every individual contributes to making this hotel and brand one of the most respected and admired in the world. That means, delegating responsibility and trusting individuals to meet and exceed expectations. We have a fantastic team at Armani Hotel Dubai, who are at the heart of everything we do, and drive our success consistently. exploring the world and seeking new and innovative experiences. That’s important because the hospitality industry will see a significant shift in how we leverage technology so that we can serve our guests better. From planning their stay to chalking out the itinerary to after-stay service, technology is going to be the game changer. We are among the first to embrace digital transformation and we will continue to invest in technology to appeal to the new generation of smart travellers. WITH THE RISE OF BOUTIQUE HOTELLING, THE AFFLUENT ARE BECOMING MORE SELECTIVE IN CHOOSING THEIR LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCES. AS SUCH, MANY WOULD SAY THAT LUXURY IS BEING REDEFINED. WOULD YOU AGREE? WHY OR WHY NOT? Of course, luxury has become redefined and given that it is a purely intangible experience, the challenge for us is to anticipate, meet and exceed the expectations of our guests. Luxury does not mean offering luxurious amenities – it is part of the culture, where guest preferences and expectations are our priority. While the fundamentals of the luxury hospitality experience are similar – in terms of hotel infrastructure, amenities and the services provided – where it really matters is the service standards we set. HOW HAVE CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED ARMANI HOTEL’S ENGAGEMENT WITH NEW MARKETS? For us, the opening of new markets is really important; we already see that happening with an increase in number of guests from China, the Indian Subcontinent and Africa. In fact, most recently, Armani Hotel Dubai won the ‘Chinese Preferred Hotel’ certification from Ctrip, China’s number one travel website and Online Travel Aggregator catering to businesses and consumers. The certification recognises the Chinese-friendly services offered by Armani Hotel Dubai. Secondly, millennial travellers are LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT IS A CONCEPT THAT ARMANI HOTEL DUBAI HAS BECOME QUITE KNOWN FOR. TELL US ABOUT IT. Sure. While our location and brand identity enable us to form an instant connection with our guests, we focus further on enhancing the service standards we offer. We achieve this through our ‘Lifestyle Managers,’ who meet every need of our guests. This focus on personalized service sets us apart and enables us to form long- lasting relationships with our guests. This is reflected in the number of repeat guests we have – from across the world. IF YOU COULD SUMMARIZE THE ARMANI BRAND IN THREE WORDS WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Location. Luxury. Personalized Service