Bartlomiej Mart, normal supervisor at Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh tells Breaking Journey Information how he has reshaped operations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Breaking Journey Information: What operational adjustments have you ever applied at Ascott as a way to proceed working by the pandemic?
Bartlomiej Mart: As a part of the distinguished Ascott portfolio, we at Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh had been a part of the implementation of a fast, environment friendly, and efficient counter technique, giving us a head-start out there.
From the very early phases, the safety and security of our visitors and employees grew to become our utmost precedence.
Worldwide and native authorities well being and hygiene protocols had been applied.
Concurrently, the Ascott globally introduced numerous initiatives together with Ascott Cares, contactless check-in and check-out, digitalised companies, together with lodging initiatives, together with work-from-home areas.
Ascott’s world crew additionally successfully launched the Ascott Star Rewards App final yr, the model’s loyalty program, selling safer and smarter methods for visitors to e book, redeem and keep linked with Ascott wherever they’re.
From the property standpoint, what was most commendable was the dedication and unity of my groups who considerably contributed to the general success of the disaster administration.
Immediately, I can proudly state that the proactive measures taken then, have laid sturdy foundations for our regular stability out there by 2020, and is being carried ahead in 2021 amid the underlying pending uncertainties.
BTN: What has been your method to tackling the worldwide journey restrictions, particularly the continually shifting journey corridors?
BM: International journey restrictions are past our management.
Nonetheless, what we are able to management is the ‘instant strategic response’ to those conditions.
Our groups have been totally devoted in making certain to all the time keep updated.
In the mean time, as a serviced residence although virtually 70 per cent of our visitors’ demographic is the lengthy keep base, we at the moment are additionally specializing in home tourism.
Our very best location within the coronary heart of the capital of the Saudi Arabia, and a popularity for providing world-class hospitality, staycations labored pretty effectively for us.
Concurrently, our robust gross sales groups had been pushed to reignite and construct rapport with company accounts, growing engaging packages to spice up the footfalls.
Being versatile, supportive, and empathetic with circumstances comparable to border closures and flight cancellations additional helped to uplift the boldness of our visitors.
BTN: Why is collaboration throughout the worldwide journey business important to navigating the post-pandemic panorama?
BM: Some of the essential learnings from the pandemic was the significance of team-effort.
I consider the silent collaboration inside the business is what’s going to assist all of us thrive by it.
We should turn into extra alert, progressive, and strategic, as a result of journey is inevitable, and so is the will to discover alternatives.
One different vital facet that can’t be negated, is that the patron drives enterprise.
As hoteliers, we have to collectively perceive buyer behaviours and consumption patterns, which have been altered because the pandemic.
Tourism is just not pushed by one resort model or property alone; it’s an accumulation of belief and confidence that’s collectively constructed by the business to reshape the journey sector in a protected and sustainable method.
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BTN: What tendencies in journey and tourism do you see rising within the aftermath of the disaster?
BM: As a part of the brand new regular, we now have already witnessed the viral ‘work-from-home’ development.
A part of this, was additionally the rise in demand for protected, complete, and work savvy houses.
Ascott’s long-stay sustainable enterprise mannequin and the implementation of strategic improvements like our world digitalisation efforts supplied visitors the right house for work and residential.
Our residences function separate dwelling and eating areas with totally practical kitchenettes, whereas the property additionally gives leisure and enterprise facilities for visitors.
From a property viewpoint, we proceed our efforts to coach our employees to reply to disaster conditions and undertake new methods to method potential visitors.
At the moment, there are lots of alternatives to reap the benefits of, which makes it a really attention-grabbing and dynamic setting to be in.
Issues are nonetheless evolving with the current growth of well being passports in numerous international locations in addition to rising native ‘staycation’ demand.
Service personalisation and versatile method to cancellation insurance policies additionally want consideration.
BTN: Have you ever had any optimistic adjustments in your individual outlook in response to the disaster?
BM: As a part of a world model, we’re assured to adapt and cope even within the midst of a pandemic.
The Ascott Cares initiative allowed us to remain in test on our rules, with a set of detailed pointers and protocols for our employees, visitors, and distributors.
Amongst different important actions to say, can be the truth that we had been the primary serviced residence in Riyadh to obtain the accredited Bureau Veritas label.
This label is awarded to companies who’ve applied insurance policies and procedures aligned with native regulatory necessities, good hygiene, well being, and security practices with help mitigation of the unfold of SARS – CoC-2 (the reason for Covid-19).
Extra Data
Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh is taken into account Saudi Arabia’s Leading Serviced Apartments by voters on the World Travel Awards.
Discover out extra in regards to the property on the official website.
