Where are you originally from? Why the move to Indonesia?
'm from France. After several years in London after my degree in France, I decided, for personal reasons, moving to Indonesia. I have not left since. He was back in 1993.
You are now managing director of Mesa Hotels & Resorts. When did you assume the position? Have you been in the hotel industry before?
I assume the CEO position for Hotels and Resorts Mesa in 2006, when I has also been appointed Managing Director of Grandkemang Hotel, a position I still take today to next to my role as CEO of the group. I am in the hospitality industry in 1990, working with companies such as Hilton, Sheraton, Ritz Carlton and Alila Indonesia.
What tasks to fill your day as CEO?
My day is filled to deal with our other hotel general managers and financial controller for the group, as well as to communicate a lot with our hotels in Europe. My days also take care to meet and communicate with potential owners or investors interested in entering into a working relationship with hotels and Resorts Mesa. Never a dull moment.
Unfortunately, given the tasks at hand, I do not get to spend as much time with the team I wish I could. Again, you know what they say:
Tell us what Mesa means and how it is related to the philosophy "It is quality, not quantity." of the hotel. What is the brand value?
Mesa literally means a hill with extensive and wide area on the top level. It symbolizes the height of experiences and the quality of the live elevation Mesa Hotels and Resorts aims to provide. Hotels and Resorts Mesa believe in providing an environment that engages people in the signing of the travel experience to inspire and elevate their lives. Hotels and Resorts Mesa, we value integrity, Performance, Teamwork, excellence and innovation.
One of Mesa properties MesaStila is located in Magelang and hosts the annual marathon test, MesaStila Challenge. Tell us how the event started. How do you enjoy the race?
We started the contest MesaStila few years. It started small with few riders, and has become one of the largest annual marathons Java, with over 300 riders joined last year. MesaStila has always been very strong in promoting and offering wellness experiences to its customers. We wanted to extend our "offer" a much broader spectrum and thought of organizing a marathon through the beautiful landscapes of Central Java, and promoting the event throughout Indonesia for people to join. And they did! That's how it all started :. A dream that we all had somehow
The race brings people aware of MesaStila as a retirement well-being, and highlights the central Java, especially Magelang; a less traveled destination.
The MesaStila Challenge was in conjunction with charitable programs, such as "Berlari Untuk Berbagi ', which was initiated by Sandi Uno. Are you and the Mesa group involved in numerous charitable programs?
Hotels and Resorts Mesa is very involved in charity and we always strive to organize our events in one of our properties in conjunction with helping organizations charitable. We helped the children, the elderly and many more to date. "Berlari Berbagi untuk" was just one of the many charitable programs we have undertaken.
Like the Mesa properties are scattered around Indonesia (and even in Spain), you get to travel a lot to these places? What other parts of Indonesia Have you traveled to?
Part of my job requires me to travel a lot. Half of my time is spent traveling to our hotels in Indonesia or Europe. For recreation, I have traveled to most parts of Indonesia, with the exception of Sulawesi. It's on my "bucket list".
What do you like most about the hotel industry in Indonesia?
The atmosphere changes, people and all the exotic places in Indonesia are the hotel industry here is very exciting.
What other hotels / resorts will encapsulate the brand Mesa?
Mesa Hotels & Resorts includes Grandkemang Hotel, Jakarta, MesaStila in Magelang, The Edge Bali, and Finca Cortesin in Malaga, Spain. Soon to be added to the portfolio will be in Ubud and Bandung.
How the recent / elections / combination lebaran Cup events affecting world Hotels?
Surprisingly for our hotels, the combination of events such as World Cup and elections lebaran had no particular effect. We were still enjoying high occupancy rates during this period. However, Grandkemang Hotel in Jakarta sees a slight drop in occupancy during the Lebaran holidays.
We have heard of the new company for the Mesa Group, which is a resort in the Thousand Islands. Do you think this will be the new go-to place for a weekend in Jakarta? What is being done to keep the environment around the hotel (and wildlife) protected?
Certainly the new go-to place for a weekend in Jakarta, yes. The Reef will offer unlimited use of all island facilities and water equipment. The station will offer specialized spa treatments, private yacht tours of the island chain, and gourmet picnics range. If you are looking for exclusivity, The Reef keep the noise and chaos of everyday life at bay, leaving you pampered like royalty. Customers will not be distracted by modern technology and new-fangled accents here.
Mesa Hotels and Resorts will introduce a concept of preserving the natural beauty and spirit of the island, aided by a friendly staff. From the beginning, our vision is to create a private resort high quality Pulau Karang Beras, with as little impact on coral reefs and the environment as possible. The concept is to use the best technology available to build and maintain a small bubble of humanity surrounded by pristine coral reefs and lush tropical vegetation. Mesa Hotels and Resorts is taking extreme environmental precautions because of our personal love and respect for the life of the sea and nature and the environment.