[pullquote]Each guest should be welcomed with a Šljivovica, a decent beer and a Serbian Grill[/pullquote]
Q: Have you always wanted to work in the meeting industry?
A: When I was a child, my father’s family ran a restaurant for a few years. For me it was exciting and so much fun serving the guests, taking orders and even cleaning up the dishes. This has influenced me.
Q:Why is your destination/country the best in the world?
A: Belgrade is such an upcoming and quickly developing city. As a foreigner you cannot believe the war was so recent. Everywhere the people are open minded, friendly and interested in foreigners. Here so many good things will happen in the coming years and I am very happy to be able to witness that.
Q: What would be the first thing you would show every visitor to your country?
A: Each guest should be welcomed with a Šljivovica, a decent beer and a Serbian Grill. There’s no better way to showcase the hospitality and conviviality of Serbian people. After that we would drive to a digestive walk in the Kalemegdan. From there you can enjoy the most beautiful view over the city and its rivers.
Q: What has been your star moment so far and your favorite project with which you would praise yourself?
A: I’m very proud of my two sons. They are already grown up. But to see that they follow in my footsteps and work for the hotel/catering industry with such passion – this was a real star moment.
Q: What motivates you the most at work?
A: If everything goes according to my ideas, people like to do their work and that the guests are satisfied with our service. That’s a perfect match!
Q: How do you deal with stress?
A: Running 6 to 10 k every morning keeps me fit and makes me balanced.
Q: When were you last angry / disappointed and why?
A: Last time I was angry was when I did not meet my time goal, and was running 3h 45 min in the Belgrade Marathon.
Q: What’s new in your business in year 2014?
A: Opening a new hotel with new people and new guests! Even though I’m still working for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group – opening a new property is every time different and challenging.
Q: What did you learn last week?
A: Olive oil flavoured ice cream is damn good!
Q: Where are you going to spend this year’s holiday and why?
A: Shortly before the opening things are getting hot! So many things to organise – from staff to stuff! No time for summer holidays. But in late fall I’m planning to take my wife to England – she has a real crush on London. Maybe in December we can spend some weeks in the snow.
Q: If there were no time and financial constraints, where would you go?
A: Paris
Q: What would be the title of your autobiography?
A: “Keep moving”
