IHG Group Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour Director of Sales and Marketing, Stefan Staltare, caught up for a chat with Travel Monitor for this week’s Talking Travel.
This is what he had to say.
What does your job involve?
In my role as Director of Sales and Marketing at IHG/Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour I am responsible for all Sales and Marketing related activity at the hotel which includes training and developing team members for future roles, developing and executing sales and marketing plans, driving results through our distribution network and building partnerships with like minded organizations for long term growth. Another large element of my position involves driving business into the hotel via our distribution chain while also helping Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour surpass internal forecasts and contributing to the greater hotel chain as a whole.
How have you tackled the difficulties caused by COVID-19?
It’s no surprise that COVID has created a number of challenges for the hospitality industry. The best way that myself and the team have been able to work through these adversities is by being able to adapt quickly and pivot when needed, including everything from instating new safety protocols quickly, to reinventing marketing strategies to align with the changing landscape and continue to drive awareness of the property while people are at home and not necessarily considering their next hotel stay. We also push ourselves to challenge existing ways of working and thinking in every day operations.
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I love the sales and marketing strategy of my role most of all. I get a lot of enjoyment out of forward planning for the hotel and coming up with new partnerships or revenue streams for the property. I enjoy building professional relationships and watching them grow and evolve over time. I especially find joy in leading a team of talented individuals and seeing them grow and develop over time, even when faced with adversity like that which COVID has brought upon the industry.
What are the biggest challenges for you in your profession (outside of COVID-19)?
I would say that one of the biggest challenges in my profession is the ability to maintain a healthy work life balance. Hospitality is an “always on” profession, and the importance of maintaining a high level of guest experience doesn’t pause when you need to clock off. While I love wearing many different hats, conscious use of my time and ensuring I am able to periodically switch off ensures I am the best version of myself every day for the business and my team.
What do you think are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
I am sure that many of my industry peers would agree that one of if not the biggest challenge we are facing is around the constant ramping up and ramping down that comes with COVID restrictions. When new health advice is released and restrictions are put into effect, we often have little time to prepare or forward plan. And even then, once planning is in place, these restrictions are regularly coming in and out of effect or being altered, meaning our operations and procedures must adapt in real time. It is certainly a challenging time being at the forefront of an industry that is directly affected by COVID rules day-to-day.
What do you think will be the biggest game changer in the travel industry in the next 12 months’?
Again, an answer that is surely on everyone’s list, but the opening of international boarders is absolutely the “game changing” moment that we and the rest of our industry is eagerly awaiting. We have had to rely so heavily on domestic travel the past 18 months, which was whittled down to just local travel once domestic borders were closed, and now no travel at all. Once our vaccination rates rise and international borders are open again, we are excited to watch first hand as the Australian tourism industry inevitably booms. It’s the moment we are all waiting for, but especially the hospitality industry.
What destination/travel trend do you think is the next big thing?
We are already seeing trends in this direction, but I think Hobart and Adelaide are going to be very hot domestic destination as state boarders open, because many Australians are eager to travel again, even close to home, and both of there are amazing destinations with much to offer.
From an international standpoint, I think we are going to obviously see an influx of travel to our closest neighbouring countries like Japan and Singapore when restrictions allow, as these are nations showing lower levels of COVID, and travellers are likely still going to have certain hesitancies travelling after almost two years in Australia (and will want to ensure they are somewhat close to home to start with, due to a fear of snap restrictions and border rules).
What are your thoughts on responsible travel and how do you try to implement this in your workplace?
I believe responsible travel really comes down to the individual traveller doing the right thing. Our business, along with many others, have implemented many policies and procedures to ensure we are doing our part in protecting our guests when they travel. In order for these policies and procedures to be effective the individuals needs to adhere to these procedures. Like many companies, we also have a responsibility to implement environmentally conscious procedures and offerings into our guest services, which we pride ourselves on at Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour.
Who inspires you most and why?
I feel very fortunate to have two parents that inspire me every day, because of their work ethic, resilience, and dedication to each of their respective fields.
What is your must-pack travel item(s)?
My iPad and ear buds are my must have travel items. Entertainment and solitude while travelling are necessities!
Who would you invite on your next holiday if you could choose anyone and where would you go?
I would absolutely love to take my girlfriend to Tuscany, as we (like so many others) had to postpone our planned trip due to COVID.
