Horst Walther-Jones, general manager, Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach
ABOUT HORST
Horst began his hospitality career in 1978, starting out as an apprentice chef in Germany.
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He quickly rose through the F&B ranks across various hotels and joined Jumeirah as an executive assistant manager F&B. But a career in hotel management beckoned and after several positions across the region he took up his role as GM, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach in 2010.
Under his leadership, Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach has won five-star certification and has landed numerous awards across its business, leisure and F&B divisions.
WHY WAS HE NOMINATED?
Horst delivered a YOY increase of 28% in revenues and 72% increase in operating profit in 2012. The hotel is among the most profitable in the group; its RGI position and average rate have both improved in 2012 over 2011. 2. He was responsible for creating new ways to enhance the guest experience and increase revenues
Under his direction, a Colleague Welfare Committee was created to arrange sports activities, trips, BBQ dinner nights in the colleague accommodation, movie nights, an Internet station and lounge area in the colleague accommodation, and a library and learning centre. He also introduced more staff training and workshops.
He maintains a literal ‘Open Door’ policy: any colleague can walk in. He is there always to support colleagues with their professional or even personal issues. Everyone knows they can approach him and that he is always supportive – to the extent that he is known affectionately as “Papa” by all hotel colleagues.
Horst epitomises true excellence in a general manager by creating an environment where people consider it a privilege to work and are inspired, translating directly into optimum service for hotel guests and record revenue and profitability for the business.
WHAT DID HIS TEAM SAY?
“Horst Walther-Jones has always proven to be a self-starter with an excellent entrepreneurial spirit. He has excellent planning capacities and knows how to find solutions to solve challenges and situations. Horst runs the business like it is his own business and has always demonstrated his ability to communicate well with the owning company, his clients, colleagues and the local community. He also enjoys a very good relationship with all stake holders. Furthermore, Horst is a very fair, transparent manager, very loyal and dedicated to the success of his company. Because of his very good leadership skills, ever since his arrival, we have witnessed a great improvement in the hotel, the employee’s moral and motivation. Due to his proactive involvement in the sales and marketing strategy, his constant drives for business opportunities and ways to increase the hotel revenue, the hotel has been able to deliver very successful performances since 2010.” Gerard Hotelier, vice president operations Middle East and South Asia.
WHAT DID HIS GUESTS SAY?
“Horst, Hi I have just completed the survey on my recent stay at your hotel. All ratings excellent. There was not an opportunity to say quite why my stay was so wonderful so I am e-mailing you - in fact we met in the lift on an occasion and I spoke with you then It was simply the absolute delight your staff seemed to take in being helpful, friendly and approachable that made the stay so memorable; and that differentiated it from my stays in other hotels (both elsewhere and also at Jumeirah beach). It was simply more personal at Moevenpick. Quite remarkable. Starting with Maria's wonderfully friendly welcome on reception at arrival, then your super-helpful colleagues Amj and Beatrice and one other, who sorted out my problematic safe, Irina and Dalji at the spa were both really great, Judith at the pool was so friendly and always beaming with a wide smile and all others whose names I did not manage to check. Whatever you are doing with your staff is working superbly well. Thank you and congratulations on making your hotel positively different from the others. I will look forward to staying with you again. Best wishes, and thank you to your staff.” Roger Fielding MBA CPCC ACC owner and director, Roger Fielding Consulting Limited Certified Professional Co-Active Coach Associate Certified Coach of the International Coach Federation.
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