Rezidor's new communication and PR manager Klara Zakis said her passion for the industry grew over time. Rezidor's new communication and PR manager Klara Zakis said her passion for the industry grew over time.

Rezidor’s new communication and PR manager Klara Zakis talks about her future plans, passion for the hospitality industry and explains why Rezidor Hotel Company is the best place for her to develop her career.

Where did your career begin and what type of positions have you held?
My career began in the UK in a full service agency, where I looked after the PR for a broad range of clients.

I was then transferred to Dubai with the same company — it was originally just meant to be for a six week period, but two weeks in, I decided to stay for good! After my first 12 months in Dubai I moved to Action Communications where I worked on a range of accounts, including events, luxury and lifestyle, sports and hospitality.

Over time I began to work more and more within the hospitality sector. My passion for the industry grew from working on key accounts such as the Arabian Travel Market, Royal Caribbean Cruises and most crucially Rezidor Hotel Group on a corporate level, but also on a project basis, helping to launch key new properties into the region.

Story continues below
Advertisement

What are your immediate and long term plans in your new role?
Being in the role of manger of PR and communication I will naturally support the regional and corporate office as they look to build further awareness of our core brands, especially Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson and Hotel Missoni.

In the coming year there are many exciting things to look forward to including several launches, each of which will be a priority for me over the next 12 months.

We have the much anticipated Hotel Missoni in Kuwait plus our fourth Radisson Blu in Dubai — Radisson Blu Dubai Downtown — both opening next year.

What is your ultimate goal in the role?
In my role my ultimate goal is always to raise the profile of the company and its brands. However, on a personal level, I believe that Rezidor Hotel Group offers me a unique opportunity to grow and advance within a young and dynamic company.

It’s always my goal in whichever job I take to learn new things and be challenged — I never want to feel like I’m not being tested.

As one of the world’s fastest growing hotel chains I believe there is plenty of scope within the company to develop a broad range of skills and disciplines across Rezidor’s varied brands.

Did you have a specific career plan to reach this role?
I wouldn’t say I had a specific career plan; I always knew that my interest was in communications and PR, but my passion for the hospitality industry grew steadily over time. However, I’ve always worked to the best of my ability and have in turn been rewarded with fantastic opportunities like my new position at Rezidor.

Do you envisage any particular challenges in this position?
As with any job there are always going to be challenges along the way — the last few years have been a testing time for everyone, not just the hospitality industry. At this moment in time I’m getting to grips with the new role and looking forward to working with the team here in the regional office and the teams in all our hotels.

What is it about the hotel industry that you enjoy?
I love the travel aspect obviously, but on a broader level you come across so many different people within the industry who all seem to have a passion for what they do — it’s infectious.

I think particularly with Rezidor in the Middle East we have so many exciting things to look forward to that it’s hard not to enjoy what you’re doing. On the PR and communications side I’ve always enjoyed interacting with people, it’s obviously crucial to the job and the part that I love the most.

What is it about this particular brand that made you accept the role?
During my time working with Rezidor when I was agency side, I came across many appointment announcements about people who have grown within Rezidor and in some cases been part of the company for decades.

Our CEO Kurt Ritter is the ultimate example of this - he’s been CEO of Rezidor for 30 years, and is the longest serving CEO in the hospitality industry. I always felt that this was a positive sign; Rezidor nurtures it staff and provides an environment where they can grow with the company and this is something I definitely want to be a part of.