GRAND ANGLE sensibilisés aux actions de développement durable. Nous sommes le seul groupe hôtelier mauricien à avoir reçu le certificat Green Globe. Nous limitons le gaspillage, n’ utilisons pas de plastique et veillons à intégrer la population voisine de la côte est, de l’ embauche dans notre hôtel à l’ achat de fruits et légumes bios aux marchands. En parallèle, nous organisons par exemple le Festival Culinaire Bernard Loiseau depuis 2006, avec de grands Chefs étoilés. Nous souhaitons faire rayonner la cuisine mauricienne, et ses talents, à l’ international.
L’ hôtel Constance Le Prince Maurice a été élu en 2016 meilleur hôtel de luxe à Maurice et 2 ème en Afrique selon TripAdvisor. Quel impact a TripAdvisor sur le secteur? Avec TripAdvisor, un commentaire positif ou négatif peut avoir des retombées immenses. Tout devient transparent, le monde vous regarde. Les réseaux sociaux, en général, révolutionnent notre communication. Instagram, grâce aux photos postées par notre nouvelle génération de clients, est un outil formidable pour valoriser notre destination.
L’ année 2016 a été très positive. Quels sont les prochains défis? Les chiffres sont très bons et les clients heureux. Le défi permanent, c’ est de maintenir un niveau de service irréprochable tout en s’ ouvrant à de nouvelles perspectives. Vous savez, Constance Hotels and Resorts c’ est un savoir-faire mauricien qui a fait ses preuves dans la région avec ses sept hôtels 5 * qui accueillent chaque année plus de cent nationalités différentes. Une expérience internationale qui fait notre force, et nous apporte cette ouverture d’ esprit indispensable pour regarder vers le futur. Et les perspectives sont belles!
The cheerful and enthusiastic German, Gert Puchtler, General Manager of Constance Belle Mare Plage since 2009, has Mauritian hospitality running through his veins. He warmly welcomes us into his freshly renovated hotel, a historical flagship of Mauritian tourism. There is a wind of change blowing through The Belle Mare Plage, between tradition and modernity, and its Director remains firmly grounded on this Mauritian soil which he has grown to love... deeply.
You left your homeland in Germany for Mauritius in 1998. Was it a great leap into the unknown at that time? I knew the island through the tales of my parents who went there on holiday. But yes, to come and live here was a real adventure for me; in fact, a revelation. This journey was supposed to last 2 years, but I opted to extend it( while still director of Maritim Hotel in Balaclava). It has been 18 years since I first came to the island!
You are married to a Mauritian citizen and you’ re the father of two children. You speak Creole and constantly remind us of the kindness of Mauritians. Have you, by any chance, fallen in love with Mauritius? Yes! Mauritius is my life, my job and where all my friends are. I am very attached to Germany, and I often go there on vacation, but Mauritius has taken a more important place in my heart. The hospitality here is extraordinary, and the quality of life is exceptional, it’ s hard not to fall in love with all of this.
You have built your home close to Grand Baie. What made you choose this region? My wife and I fell head over heels for a plot of land in The Vale( between the Daruty Forest and Grand Baie). The location is fantastic; a stone’ s throw from Grand Baie, very close to the motorway, the children’ s school and friends. From our garden, we can see all the Northern islets; from Gunner’ s Quoin to Serpent Island. Some music, a nice glass of wine, my wife and kids around me... what more could one possibly ask for!
The Constance Belle Mare Plage opened its doors in 1975 and is a historical symbol of Constance Hotels and Resorts. Its recent renovation is daring and marks a visible evolution. Can you explain why? The result of this‘ facelift’ is unique in Mauritius. The hotel has been given a modern and creative touch while respecting the historical essence of every nook and cranny of the hotel; its stones, wood,... For 40 years, we have always listened to our loyal clientele, and at the same time attracted a new generation of clients. It is very daring, but the feedback has been very positive. The Blu Bar, both cosy and arty, is the area which has received the most positive comments, but also the rooms, and the Blue Penny Cellar; the jewel of the hotel with its 15,000 bottles and its unique atmosphere.
The Constance Belle Mare Plage is characterised by its exceptional beach but also by 2 legendary golf courses. You have been voted best golf hotel in the Indian Ocean in 2014. Is Mauritius a true golfers’ paradise? Of course! With the Legend, Constance Hotels and Resorts was a pioneer in attracting foreign golfers. Today, golf represents 60 % of our clientele. We host a European Senior Tour golf event and we are the only hotel on the island to offer two 18-hole golf courses( Legend and Links).
The Constance Belle Mare Plage is also a particularly committed hotel. Could you give us more details? At Constance Hotels and Resorts, we attach a great deal of importance to sustainable development. We are the only Mauritian hotel group to have been awarded the Green Globe Certification. We limit wastage, do not use any plastic and strive to integrate the neighbouring population of the East coast; from the hiring process in our hotel to the purchase of organic fruit and vegetables with the greengrocers. At the same time, we have hosted the Bernard Loiseau Culinary Festival since 2006 with renowned starred chefs. We wish to showcase Mauritian cuisine as well as its talents on an international level.
In 2016, Constance Le Prince Maurice hotel was voted the best luxury hotel in Mauritius and is 2 nd in Africa according to TripAdvisor. What impact does TripAdvisor have on the industry? With TripAdvisor, a positive or negative comment can have a huge impact. Everything becomes transparent; the World is watching you. Social networks have, in general, revolutionised the way we communicate. Instagram is also a great tool for promoting our destination with photos being uploaded by a new generation of clients.
2016 has been an excellent year. What are the next challenges in the foreseeable future? Business is great and clients are happy. The constant challenge is to maintain an irreproachable level of service while opening up new opportunities. With its seven 5-star hotels which accommodates over 100 different nationalities each year, Constance Hotels and Resorts boasts the Mauritian savoir-faire which has proven itself in the region. Our strength lies in our international experience and gives us the necessary open-mindedness to look towards the future. And the future looks bright!
ÉDITION 2017 39