Q1: What differentiates your hotel from others?
The unique concept that combines both modern & traditional at the same time: The hotel consists of two parts of the hotel and lives by the concept “where old meets new” and offers the best of both worlds through a traditional Palace part of the hotel and a modern part of the hotel – each part featuring a completely different design, look-and-feel and ambience, that communicates and resonates with each individual.
Q2: What are the novelties of your hotel in 2024?
It is a very interesting technology that will be extremely important in the future and is gaining importance every year. It is a technology that will enable many to create a competitive advantage when using it smartly and efficiently, all the while paying attention to the negative side-effects of AI, understanding data privacy, and still focusing on the incredibly important human, personalised touch in the hospitality industry.
Q3: As one of the leading experts in the industry, what are your thoughts on the ChatGPT craze? Is this another marketing hype or an actual tool that will make boring, routine jobs a lot easier?
It is a very interesting technology that will be extremely important in the future and is gaining importance every year. It is a technology that will enable many to create a competitive advantage when using it smartly and efficiently, all the while paying attention to the negative side-effects of AI, understanding data privacy, and still focusing on the incredibly important human, personalised touch in the hospitality industry.
Q4: What skills should a 21st-century hotelier possess?
There are many skills, but above all else: Versatility, flexibility and strong communication skills.
Q5: We cannot avoid discussing the sustainable transformation of our industry. What must we do to create a world where more than nine billion people can live decently within planetary boundaries?
Sustainability is a buzzword and a constant topic of discussion in recent years. I believe it is important that sustainability moves from a plan on paper and a written procedure to a living document that will be embodied by all individuals in the organisation. All too many times, not only in hospitality but across all industries, it happens that sustainability is something that sounds good as a PR tool but is not something that is lived and recognised by the entire company and all of its employees. Slovenia, as a country, here has a competitive advantage: I like to say that Slovenia was sustainable before sustainability was a word. And, comparing us to other countries around the world, we live and breathe sustainability.
Q6: What is your definition of true hospitality?
It is the experience to make the guests feel welcomed and that while staying with us, they not only feel at home but that they feel better than at home.
“All too many times, not only in hospitality but across all industries, it happens that sustainability is something that sounds good as a PR tool but is not something that is lived and recognised by the entire company and all of its employees.”
Q7: Can you name one problem the entire meetings industry should solve together?
What comes to my mind first is staffing. To find ways how to make the role of event planning and event management interesting and potentially less stressful.
Q8: Do you enjoy podcasts? Which is your favourite?
I enjoy podcasts but prefer blogs, articles or good old-fashioned books. The last podcast I listened to was Radio Ga Ga, as the famous podcast in Slovenia has returned after a long while, and I was curious about what they came up with.
Q9: What is the best travel advice you have ever received?
It came a long time ago from my parents. They said something along the lines of: spread your wings, try new experiences, learn new things, taste different foods, immerse yourself in new cultures and don’t forget to call home once in a while.
Q10: If you could take anything home from your favourite hotel, what would it be?
Memories.
Learn more about Kempinski Palace Portorož here.
