Q1: Before we dive into Hilton Prague Old Town, could you briefly share your journey in hospitality and what led you to commercial leadership?
My journey started in Helsinki when I had an internship at the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel at the time. After that, I moved to England, where I spent 10 years in operational and commercial leadership roles, mainly at top-end hotels in London, including Dukes Hotel in Mayfair. Duke’s leadership trusted me with my first commercial role as a Revenue Manager, after I had been mainly in commercial roles in London and Prague. I have truly appreciated all the experiences I have gained, whether in privately owned hotels or in larger hotel groups. They have all helped me to build on my previous experiences and given me a wealth of perspective.
Q2: Stepping into the new role of Commercial Director at Hilton Prague Old Town, while also leading a newly formed Commercial team, what were your immediate priorities in the first few weeks, and why?
Although the building was completed in 1993, this is now the first time the hotel has its own dedicated commercial team. Previously, it has always been part of a cluster. I am very lucky to have many great, experienced Team Members around me who have given us a flying start. While we are still getting to know each other, we are already well on our way and keep building on the great foundation from the previous team structure. We are now focusing on revalidating the direction we want to fly and on further enhancements to our daily routines and targets.
Q3: In a highly competitive city like Prague, what typically makes a hotel’s commercial story credible and compelling to planners and partners?
We can share hundreds of success stories from this hotel and its team. Yet, we often revisit the vision Conrad Hilton had – “to fill the Earth with light and warmth of hospitality”. Our approach is always very warm and hospitable. It starts from the people we have and the criteria we set when we look for new colleagues to join the team. With the right team, vision and leadership, it will all fall into place. Our partners will feel it, they will see it, and so will our guests.
Q4: What do you see as Hilton Prague Old Town’s strongest unique selling points today, especially for meetings and corporate partners?
The hotel’s design draws richly on Prague’s architecture, culture, and atmosphere, giving delegates a truly unique experience. Supported by a highly skilled team, we provide complete peace of mind for organisers planning meetings or events. By staying two steps ahead, we proactively support planners with details they may not yet have considered.
Q5: Which one key impression would you like guests and partners to take away from every interaction with Hilton Prague Old Town?
The key impression we want to leave is effortlessness. We value the trust guests and partners place in us when choosing Hilton Prague Old Town for their important occasions, whether small or large. Our goal is to ensure every interaction feels seamless from start to finish.
Q6: Looking ahead, what is your ambition for Hilton Prague Old Town and its role within the Prague hospitality market, position and growth?
We want to see our strong growth continue in the years ahead. We are positioned as a premium experience, and our focus is on consistently building on that strength.
Q7: What’s one lesson you learned early in your career that still guides your decisions today?
There are many, but one that always echoes in my ears is the one my General Manager, Debrah Dhugga, at Dukes Hotel, told me: in business, you never stop. You can have a breather, but if you stop, you will soon wake up and realise that the train has already gone.
Q8: What do you personally enjoy most about commercial leadership, and what part of the job energises you the most?
Achieving great results as a team! Commercial roles in hotels are amazing! You need to be on top of a broad spectrum, and when you get it all rolling in the right direction, the feeling is just great. And leadership in general is my passion. It gives me great pleasure to see colleagues in all departments around us developing, and if I can assist them in any way on their journey, then that’s just wonderful. Although I still have plenty of ambition and steam left in my tank for another couple of decades in this wonderful profession, I am really grateful that I am already able to share some of my knowledge and experiences with colleagues who are new to hospitality or willing to do the work to grow in its true meaning.
Learn more about Hilton Prague Old Town here.
