The man behind the scene!

 

RITIKA SHARMA / Emirates Business

Le Meridian Al Aqah Beach resort is a well-kept secret in the heart of Fujairah emirates. Over the years, it has evolved as one of the most sought-after destinations among business as well as leisure tourists, who are looking forward to something really exotic situated right in the lap of towering Hajjar ranges.
Man behind popularising this venue is Patrick Antaki, Complex General Manager of Le Meridian Al Aqah Beach resort — Fujairah, a remarkably active soul. If there is one leader who is literally standing beside his team in all the campaigns and one who can be credited for enhancing Fujairah’s place in the global tourism map, it is him, without a second thought.
Highly regarded for his down-to-earth and warm personality — just perfect for someone in this field — Antaki is also well known for his opinions and advises that have taken the UAE’s little-known destinations to new heights when it comes to tourism. From devising plans for marketing on social media to ensuring that extra personal touch in all services, Antaki is known for his innovative ways of promoting a luxury destination.
Antaki, who is also the Complex General Manager of Al Maha Desert resort in Dubai, talks to Emirates
Business on the sidelines of the recently held Arabian Travel Market (ATM) event in Dubai about the green initiatives within the properties, the expansion plans and the importance of the element of personalisation in hospitality industry.

Can you please tell us more about your properties? How long have you been with the company?
Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort and Al Maha Desert Resort, pure luxury collections are both unique properties in their own ways. Best known for offering a bespoke experience, be it at the longest strip of beach on UAE’s East Coast or in Dubai’s Desert Conservation area, both resorts have their own unique standing and customer base.
I am proud to have been with the company for over 15 years, and to have seen the mercurial growth. As the tourism sector has grown for UAE, our properties have been catering to needs of luxury holidays since more than a decade now. I must say that we have kept up with the pace of growth of tourism in this amazing country.

Hospitality is a constantly changing industry. What would you say is the newest trend in the industry?
No matter what trend comes and goes, the element of ‘personalisation’ will always remain the need of the hour. Personalisation offers guests a sense of belonging and comfort, which in turn results in a superlative hotel experience. So this trend will never go out of fashion, but instead hotels will continuously strive to build on that and offer the finest that can be offered. There may be advancements on the kind of services or offers but the basic intention of any hotel’s philosophy will remain the same.

What are your views about automation in hotels? Is it a trend to stay?
In the times that we live in, automation cannot be ignored. It is a growing part of hospitality culture as it does offer efficiency of processes, transparency, accuracy of information, speed and so on.
But of course, there are some areas where automation cannot take over. That warm and welcoming human element cannot be exchanged for technology as no guest would like to be welcomed by a robot! So, while certain areas of the industry require automation, there are some areas which can never be replaced and they must not be replaced I believe.

Are you working on any expansion plans within the properties?
Expansion and innovation is the name of the game, and to stay ahead as market leaders we are constantly looking at ways to improve our services and the experience for our guests and associates alike.
In line with the nation’s vision towards a sustainable and green economy based future, I have always kept in mind that we must work towards the same. At Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, we have just setup our own desalination plant, to help with control of quality of the water we offer our guests and also for the environment. We are also embarking in a solar panel project for all the rooms, to heat the pools in the winter, produce hot water in the summer and we also hope to eventually light the rooms via solar renewable
energy.
I believe hospitality is one industry that can greatly contribute towards building a sustainable environment. As we host people from across the world it also helps to send across the message that UAE is well on track towards its sustainability goals.

What are your thoughts about technology and the need to keep up-to-date with it?
Well, this is a burning issue in the hospitality globally. You see, technology is not an option anymore. But that is the case for just certain aspects. Now if we look at those aspects that definitely need a technology boost up, first we need to understand that technology actually can make things more streamlines and easier. About keeping up to date, the best way is by talking to kids, teenagers and customers of the future. This can supplement the knowledge we get through suppliers and reading about technology.

Creativity is one of major aspects of one’s business that decides the success or the failure, what do you think about that? How has that made a difference in your business?
Leading is easier than following and being copied is the best form of flattery! In both the resorts, we lead trends by listening to our guests and adapting. Resting on our laurels and saying: “we’ve always done it this way” is not an option for us. Our loyal guests are used to being wowed and surprised by us on every visit, so creativity has to be part of our DNA in order to keep on delighting them and creating that bond of loyalty beyond reason with them. A number of budget-level hotels are mushrooming in the region and have different things to offer.

What do you have to say about the luxury travel market?
The leisure market is growing, and there’s space for all level of hotels to grow and prosper. With more and more people are travelling, there is a need for different offerings in the market, across different ranges and budgets.

How much do you value
sustainability in your industry?
For us at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, sustainability is second nature – it’s a way of life. Every associate is tuned in and collectively we have achieved a number of sustainability goals keeping our company’s vision in mind. Our guests too appreciate our efforts and want to be a part of the various initiatives. Whether it is beach cleaning, tree planting, Earth Hour or any other such activity, guests are more than happy to join in.

Hotels industry is usually expecting a dip in number of customers during summers. Are there any special offers you have worked out for customers for this season?
We have some great offers rolled out for the hot summer months at Al Maha A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, where we encourage guests to slip away from the routine and enter the luxury Bedouin styled resort. With rates starting from AED1800 inclusive of bed & breakfast and AED 3200 inclusive of breakfast, lunch & dinner, Al Maha is the ideal getaway just a 50-minute drive away from Dubai.Guests can enjoy a 20 percent off on food & beverages (when booking on bed & breakfast), 20 percent discount on spa treatments, 10 percent discount on spa products and 20 percent discount on any day packages.
Would you say you still like the old charm of personal touch in
services in this industry?
There is nothing that compares to a personal touch, especially in our industry. It’s the feeling of being welcomed, and that is the true essence of our industry. Many of our guests are repeat guests, while many are first timers — each is welcomed warmly and wholeheartedly. Guest experiences at Al Maha is second to none. Secluded rooms with view of the desert, observing gazelles and oryx in their habitat, presents our guests with many picture-perfect moments. An opportunity to dine under star-studded night to serve unmatched culinary experience. At Al Maha, an exquisite property is complimented by equally impressive service.