Carsten Fritz has become general manager at Ritz-Carlton’s Sharq Village and Spa in Doha. He tells Hotelier about his goals and achievements since joining the heavyweight in 2001
What was it that first attracted you to the hospitality industry?
Being in contact with human beings made me change my career — I went from originally studying mechanical engineering to moving into the hospitality industry. Since the very first day that I started to work in the hospitality industry, I felt I had made the right decision. Inspiring guests and creating unique, memorable and personal experiences is what motivates me every single day.
Can you give us a brief career history?
Prior to this appointment, I held the position of general manager at the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Abama, a 471-key hotel, with extensive facilities including a full-service spa. Previously, I was also the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Sharm El Sheikh since 2009, The Ritz-Carlton Country Club, Seoul and hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton Millennia, in Singapore.
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I also had various managerial positions at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka in Japan and The Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, Jamaica. However, I actually began my professional career with Kempinski in 1990 at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich and also worked at The Kempinski Mansion in Bangkok, Hotel Gravenbruch in Frankfurt and Hotel Atlantic in Hamburg before beginning my career with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. in 2001.
What has been your greatest career achievement so far?
I see myself as a mentor for my ladies and gentlemen, so watching them grow within their positions, getting promoted and taking over new responsibilities is the greatest achievement I experience in my career, and this happens daily.
What attracted you to joining the company in the Middle East?
The Middle East is a fast growing region and The Ritz-Carlton will strengthen its presence in the region. I was always keen on applying my expertise in the hotel industry within the Middle East, and I was already attracted to the region during a visit to Doha four years ago, when I stayed at The Sharq Village and Spa.
Why have you stayed with the firm?
My dream was to work for the best hotel company in the world — and The Ritz-Carlton is proving every day that it has deserved to be named as that. It currently has 80 hotels around the globe and will continually expand. There will be another 25 hotels in the coming years.
What are the challenges specific to the Middle East, and how do you plan to overcome them?
The main challenge is to know how to continually be relevant to the changing expectations of our customers. If you’ve got a brand like ours and recognition like ours it’s easy to sit tight — to take the accolades of today and assume they’ll be the same tomorrow.
What aspects are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I am eager to reinforce and strengthen our position as a market leader and work with the ladies and gentlemen whose dedication and loyalty makes it all possible.
What are your goals for the next two years at the property?
All our performance goals are aligned with our company goal — from the company to our hotel, and then to each division. This means everyone is part of the whole. Each employee comes up with a plan to reach the goal for the next year, measured by guest, and employee, satisfaction and financial performance.
Where do you personally see yourself in five years’ time?
I would like to develop the Ritz-Carlton brand within the international region and would like to support the corporate team in successful growth of the company worldwide.
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