Ryszard Majewski is the current General Manager at the Six Seasons Hotel. He has more than two decades worth of experience in the hotel business. He has worked all over the world. The man is vigilante and has in his possession excellent communication skills. His attention to detail is impeccable and his passion for high standards remains at an all-time high.
What is your opinion about the current hospitality industry in Bangladesh?
I believe that investors foresee a viable future in the Bangladeshi hospitality sector. This is why we have recently seen a number of new hotels launch. However, the infrastructure necessary to move forward should be looked at. There are various other aspects which act as detriment to growth, for example, not establishing a smooth visa-on-arrival process till now, no maintenance of heritage/tourist sites, etc. In order to attract tourism, the government needs to market themselves well. Foreign countries, such as Australia and Malaysia, are prime examples for implementing new strategies to attract tourism . As long as we maintain a clean, safe and a -friendly environment, the industry can really grow here. The Ministry of Tourism needs to make an effort to include small and medium hospitality components into their development processes.
How is Six Seasons Hotel standing out from the rest?
We instill a very friendly environment and provide personalised service to our guests. Located in a safe and quiet location, Six Seasons Hotel is rated as a 5 star boutique hotel . Guests want tranquility and we can certainly provide that. our banquet services are also highly sought after, so it is safe to say that we are the best boutique hotel in Dhaka..
Do you think hotels in Bangladesh follow a global standard for attracting foreign tourists? What can be done to attain that standard?
The prices need to be reviewed, as it is very high for the global market pricing. . A good hotel maintains maximum occupancy for every month of the year I believe different projects and plans need to be made for low-occupancy seasons, so that our guests can enjoy our services throughout the year to its fullest extent.
Do you think our Tourism Ministry does enough in terms of training?
Firstly, it is vital to focus on the proper training of individuals in the hospitality sector. We lack institutions that are up to standard, however if that can be rectified soon, then we can train future and potential hoteliers in all sectors. As it stands now, as soon as some bright individual becomes qualified, then they are lured by our competitors, even the ones abroad. So we are losing out on all the good staff and are left with a substantial amount of unskilled staff. We need to review their salary structures to make the workforce more competitive and effective.
What challenges have you experienced so far?
The political and economic situation of the country always play a crucial role, for one . Needless to say, the hotel industry is heavily dependent on tourists and business clients and turmoil directly affects that number. Negative impressions, due to external forces not confined within the walls of the hotel, guests may develop preconceived notions even before their arrival and taint their opinions As a result, it inadvertently contributes toward losing out on guests.
Any expansion plans for Six Seasons Hotel in Chittagong or Cox’s Bazar?
We have been operating here for one and a half year now and the majority of our hotel’s infrastructure is complete. We are currently busy with the last phase of construction of our infinity pool and a sky pool bar, which once completed, will be the first of its kind in Bangladesh. Other expansion plans will be looked into soon .
Where do you see the future of the Bangladeshi hospitality industry?
In a nutshell, there is business for everyone here. At the end of the day, guests will make their preferences based on budget, location, etc. As long as we look into the infrastructural developments and a proper hospitality training schools, then this industry will grow smoothly. Bangladeshi individuals are friendly, willing, passionate and hard-working by nature. If they receive an opportunity to train for this sector, they can take this industry forward and create a positive image of Bangladesh globally.
