General Manager of Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel, Belgrade
Gabriela Ditetova is General Manager of Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel in Belgrade and has over 20 years of experience in hospitality. She started her career in Prague and she was a part of pre-opening of the most reputable hotel in Prague Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest, Park Inn by Radisson Sarvar, Radisson Blu Carlton Bratislava Slovakia and Park Inn by Radisson Ostrava.
GENERAL
Q: What do you love about your job the most?
Hotel life is 24/7 action. You get challenged on daily basis, but this job is a great satisfaction of mine and makes me smile. It also gave me an opportunity to meet people from different professions and parts of the world. Hospitality is all about being a great host, making your guest happy and developing a long-lasting relationship with them. It is one big adventure and provides great fun all the way.
Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunity in marketing and MICE industry?
Destination awareness is very important. When we are talking about Belgrade, it is a new and attractive undiscovered destination. Our worldwide connections as an International company, supported by government and Convection Biro activities are a good direction in building strong destination. If you combine that with complex service DMCs are providing and quality hotels on the market you have to succeed. Fam trips and press trips are very important, since customers gain confidence to include Belgrade as a destination after they experience and feel the city.
Q: How do you deal with marketing jungle on daily basis?
The digital age has reshaped customer’s expectations towards companies and brands. The key to get ahead and stand out in the competitive hospitality market is innovation, simply adapting is not enough anymore. As a hotel, we try to differentiate with a unique story and offer but the most important factor in my opinion is to listen to our customers. We live in a time when providing meaningful content and unique offer contributes to visibility, recognition and reputation. There is a lot of work behind this but when you achieve a goal you set it brings you an extraordinary feeling.
Q: How did the best events you attended so far make you feel?
The key factor of every successful event I attended was creating powerful memories, a strong emotional connection achieved with great, relatable content and an excellent service proving what hospitality is all about.
PERSONAL – BACKGROUND
Q: Looking at your bucket list, what is the one thing that you really wish to cross off until the end of 2017?
I adore travelling and exploring interesting and hidden places. I’m discovering Serbia for the first time and I am amazed by its beauty and local hospitality. This year I would really like to dedicate my time to discover Serbia and surrounding countries and I would also like to learn Serbian language.
Q: If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead), who would you have dinner with and why?
It is very hard to name only one person, since there are so many interesting people I admire. Hospitality business gives me a unique opportunity to meet many interesting personalities and I feel very privileged to work in this area.
CROSSOVER CONFERENCE
Q: What would you share with our participants if you would have only one minute?
I believe in knowing a purpose behind every action and knowing the reasons – why are you taking particular steps. I believe that positive thoughts bring us good energy and good vibes. I believe that making people around you happy and being happy is the key to making memorable moments.
Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?
I am bringing personal and international experience in hospitality and unique business models from diverse markets and hotels. And two cute single girls to applaud from an audience.
