Quick Talk: Ms. Ursula Melcher, Hotel Karnerhof, Faaker See
Q: What makes your resort so different from others in your region?
A property with amazing views right beside the Faaker See, ours is a family run and owned business and has been for over 40 years, when my father first started it. We really have great relations with our guests, both business and leisure. Our facility also has more than 100,000m2 of free space around the hotel, so it is a perfect place for groups to be creative and to do a lot of different things around the property, which is why organisers like to use our facility for training and outdoor activities.
I believe that our food is also amazing and one of our main signatures. Along with our hospitality, it is a perfect mixture of professionalism, quality and work from the heart. My father’s passion lies in food and we were probably first hotel in Carinthia that had a diverse wine menu also offering international wines. He is still involved and loves to spoil guests. We get extra quality olive oil and we pick a balsamic vinegar from Modena twice a year. He makes fresh salad dressing every night for guests for the next morning.
Q: Who is your typical MICE customer?
We have hosted lots of pharmaceutical, technical and financial industries, as their work is quite stressful and so they love our surroundings, which are very calm and relaxing, giving you great options for relaxation and tranquility.
We offer loads of incentive programmes starting by the lake and guests use our beach area for triathlons, swimming, boating, kayaking, running and cycling. They like to try out our signature incentive programmes that focus on culinary delights or an adrenaline rush. Our culinary tour include wine tastings and a cellar tour, while adrenaline team building exercises include forest activities high above the Faaker See. Every incentive programme can be tailored separately or combined; we are very flexible with that, as are our clients.
Q: How do you assess the Villach meeting market today?
People are coming to Carinthia because they value clean air and friendly people, so business is really picking up in the area. Most of our guests are from Austria and Germany, but our international network is expanding – we have guests from China, India and Eastern Europe.
Q: What do you see as crucial marketing elements to lure meeting planners?
I believe it is still about perfect service; we have staff present at every meeting to serve the needs of our customers and offer valuable support. I believe guests feel that they are taken care of and that nothing is left to chance.
Q: What would you suggest to younger colleagues starting out in the industry?
Always take care of the service quality, strive to be perfectionist and don’t forget about the ‘soft’ factors. And always be you.
Q: What would be the ideal event hosted at your property?
We love doing gala dinners and I love events when planners understand and are excited about great food and great wine. We have a kitchen that has been awarded for many years and we love spoil our guests and create something special. Our chef, Marco Rabensteiner, likes to spoil our guest and prepare signature dishes that make people come back and experience the taste of Karnerhof year after year.
