Grand focus on safety – Anwar Hajjar, Wyndham Grand Manama
Gulf Insider interviews Anwar Hajjar, General Manager of Wyndham Grand Manama.
What would you say is your leadership style,and how has it helped you navigate this period?
We all find ourselves in unchartered territory. It is the time when leaders like myself, need to be agile to be able to adapt to the situation. More than ever,I need to keep the morale of the team high and keep them motivated. Getting them on board with the new course of action and encouraging them to step up to the plate has increased their sense of ownership.
How is the general public sentiment, do you feel people are confident to return to dine-in?
Clear and visible health and safety protocols are vital to bring guests back through our doors. Our F&B offerings are very popular with the non-alcoholic family audience and our new and enhanced protocols will help to reassure our guests that we give the utmost priority to the safety of our guests & team members.
What is an unexpected benefit or learning you’ve had in this period?
Yes, we have learnt a lot by dealing with this difficult situation. Throughout the pandemic our focus has been and will continue to be the health and wellbeing of our partners, team members & guests.
We have revised our hygiene standards, F&B offerings, MICE offerings, adapting our room stay offers to a revised business segment. The worldwide “Count on Us” initiative is a new long term hygiene initiative that includes the consistent use of the best disinfectants through trusted suppliers.
What are your predictions for the hospitality industry for the next 2-3 years?
We are currently working under the assumption that the second quarter of 2021 will be the turning point for the hospitality industry and we will return to previous business levels.
However, even if business resumes by 2021, I foresee the heavy integration of technology in normal hospitality operations reshaping the business segments that used to be the bread and butter of hotels. This will bring about the push to ensure that we prevent another pandemic and create sustainable living.
