Tourneboeuf says the landscape of rolling dunes surrounding Qasr Al Sarab is an integral part of the UAE?s heritage and a key attraction for guests. Tourneboeuf says the landscape of rolling dunes surrounding Qasr Al Sarab is an integral part of the UAE?s heritage and a key attraction for guests.

HME.com talks to Didier Tourneboeuf, general manager of the remote Qasr Al Sarab resort, Anantara Resort and Spas' desert getaway in the Liwa desert, Abu Dhabi.

How did you begin your career in the hospitality industry?
I was born in a small village in France where my parents owned a small shop and I enjoyed the daily routine of attending to extremely loyal customers; but I also had a wish to travel and explore the world beyond.

I knew hospitality would allow me to get the best of both worlds and enrolled myself into the Strasbourg Hotel School in France and once out of school, armed with the right qualifications, I began my tryst with this exciting industry and never looked back.

Why did you decide to join Anantara?
To be involved and lead the team for the opening of Qasr Al Sarab presented a tremendously exciting opportunity, both as a personal move and on the international industry stage.

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It was the first project that has been able to entice me from the path I had previously carved with Le Royal Méridien, and is a direct result of Anantara’s revered reputation, as well as the hotel’s unique concept and truly amazing location.

What are the biggest challenges you face in the operation of such a remote resort?
The physical location, distance from resources and the desert weather can offer up challenges from time to time.

Operationally we ease out challenges by detailed and advanced planning of our resources.

We receive great support from our supplier network, and although the resort is set in a remote location, we are only a 180km drive away from Abu Dhabi.

How do you hope to attract UAE nationals to the resort?
The Liwa desert represents an integral part of the UAE’s heritage and is one of the most astonishing landscapes in the region.

Being a five-star resort we offer all guests a unique opportunity to discover and experience a unique balance of Emirati culture, breathtaking views and an international standard of hospitality.