LAGNIAPPE
Transitioning from a rustic eco-lodge to a chic business hotel is challenging enough , but Thibaut Stettler did it in the middle of a global pandemic . The 30-something Stettler , who comes from a family of hoteliers , was born in Indonesia and spent his first 15 years in Asia before moving to Switzerland to finish school and gain work experience .
THIBAUT STETTLER HOTEL MANAGER
AWEI METTA YANGON , MYANMAR
Contributed BY ERIN SUND
HOTELS : How has the pandemic changed how you approach your work ?
THIBAULT STETTLER : [ It ] has been one of the most enriching and challenging experiences I have encountered . At the onset of COVID-19 , we quickly and successfully put together a contingency plan to prepare the teams to recognize and respond to diverse scenarios . It was challenging as our hotels remained open with high levels of occupancy … In order to limit movement in and out of the hotel , we provided staff accommodation in our hotel to ensure that we had adequate manpower to operate smoothly . On the other hand , we had to consider that these staff were separated from their families . We offered them support in every way we could to help them with the transition , and their wellbeing remained our utmost priority . I witnessed a great deal of sacrifice and I will never forget the unconditional dedication and support from our teams . We have definitely emerged stronger , closer and more efficient than ever .
H : What do you think the industry is ignoring at its peril ?
TS : The industry is in a mutation period and we are seeing a radical change in behavior trends . We must closely monitor these changes by being creative and adapting effectively . Industry players must realize that the COVID-19 situation is an opportunity for hotels to revise their efficiency and stimulate creativity for new trends . The short-term future for the industry is still uncertain , but it is clear that international travel restrictions will remain for a while . We must establish safety measures and adjust our services as we focus on domestic and business travelers .
H : What are younger leaders such as yourself looking for in a workplace ?
TS : Millennials are the new generation and , in my opinion , are much more internationalized . We work on a flat chain of command and have a better understanding of the local and global market as the country opens its doors to the world . As a result , the gap between expats and locals has drastically reduced compared to our predecessors .
H : What inspires you ?
TS : My family is my biggest inspiration . I also find inspiration in skateboarding , which is my passion and a stress reliever . To me , skateboarding represents the cycle of life and reflects reality — you analyze your actions first , you take risks , you fall and get back up until you succeed . “ No pain , no gain ” — this has taught me a lot about self-trust and persevering in everything you pursue .
72 hotelsmag . com November / December 2020