Julia Mausser, Kempinski, Seychelles

Daniel Fleischhacker, Kempinski, Seychelles

Type of school & Final year:

Julia: HLT, final year 2016

Daniel: HLT, final year 2011

 

Education and further training after the TSBG:

Daniel: I started working directly after the TSBG. Eventually online course of studies with the possibility of a master after 5 years of working experience as a manager.

Julia: None, but the hotel chain Kempinski offers all kinds of training courses, further training and eCornell University courses.

 

Company, position, place of residence:

Julia: Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare, Sales Executive, Mahe Island, Seychelles

Daniel: Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare, Front Office Manager, Mahe Island, Seychelles

 

What are your 3 most important To-Dos inside the resort:

Daniel:

1. First and last impression – “Kempinski Guest Journey” from the arrival to the departure
2. Quality management on the auf hotel level aa “KEA Champion”. – The “Kempinski Experience Assessment“ is an online-platform, on which all “Operational Brand Standards“ (=hotel standards and processes) are recorded. They are also tested by a Mystery Shopper (= 2x a year).
3. Continuing training as individual person –Kempinski offers a lot of internal and external further trainings. I am division manager and responsible for the further training of my employees.

 

Julia:

1. Responsible for the Sales Leisure market and the assistance of tour operators and travel agencies in the UMBRELLA region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Client Relation Management
2. Guided tours and support during FAM-trips
3. Organisation of events, weddings and private dinners

 

 

What do you love most in your job?

Julia: Working where others make holidays. Every day is different with new challenges because I work together with a lot of different clients (on an international level). But what I love most is representing a luxury hotel in a dream destination.

Daniel: No day is like the other – every day there are new challenges, different cultures and mentalities, national and international guests and all in one place.

How did you become who you are now? What were your most important steps in your career?

Julia: I am still at the beginning of my career. I will answer this question in ten years J

Daniel: interest in travelling, risk tolerance, discipline, courage to discover new things and especially the support of my family and friends as well as the training at the TSBG which provided the foundation for a successful access to the hotel industry. Still today I often think of my time in the United Arabic Emirates and China – different experiences which no one can take away from me.

 

Working on an island resort means also immerging into an absolutely different world, isn’t it? Was it difficult to get used to it? What do you miss most and where do you have the feeling that what you have learnt at school was really helpful?

Julia: The first 3 months were the most difficult ones. New cultures, different nationalities & mentalities and a small island amidst the Indian Ocean. It is like two different worlds which clash and soon you understand that you are in the very lucky position to call Europe and particularly Austria your home place. First of all, of course, I miss my family, friends and the good Austrian food. What we learnt at the Tourism Schools is definitely a good basis and a foundation for a career in the hotel industry.

Daniel: The first six months were the most difficult for me. 6 months which at the beginning most of the times took me to my own limits – a new environment with limited resources and a new hotel with an international Front Office team with 10 different nationalities. First of all, I miss my friends and my family as well as the Austrian domestic food. What we learnt at the TSBG was definitely a good foundation which helps to face a successful career in the hotel business.

 

The Seychelles are already close to our understanding of the paradise. At the same time more and more pictures of dirty beaches etc. go viral. How do you ensure sustainability in the Kempinski Resort?

Julia/Daniel: The Seychelles should definitely be on everyone’s “Travel Bucket List”. White beaches, palm trees, a turquoise blue sea but also mountains which invite you to hike – the Seychelles are multifaceted! Sustainability is a crucial topic within the Kempinski hotel chain and in particular on the Seychelles. The islands here are directly affected by climate change and the yearly rainy season continuously changes. In our resort we established an independent “Green Committee” which is responsible for the implementation and execution of different projects which influence sustainability.

 

It is known that the best way to learn is from the errors and success stories of others. Can you give an example of your personal career Dos & Don’ts for our TSBG-family?

Julia/Daniel: You should in any case remain faithful to yourself, continuously develop further and never give up too early if something is not as you had imagined. We can really recommend gaining work experiences abroad; even if it may seem difficult in the beginning, it is a life experience that no one can take from you and hence, offers further career opportunities. Since everyone must find a personal way, the most important thing is to preserve one’s passion, enthusiasm and joy in the job, independently from the destination, hotel or position.