Exciting times are ahead! Focusing our strategies on the 3 pilars of Smart People, Smart Technology and Smart Features.
The Agung Sedayu Group is a leading property developer that specialises in bringing together convenience and comfort for the ideal modern lifestyle. With the cluster property of HARRIS Vertu & YELLO Hotels Harmoni, they have welcomed Christoph Voegeli, a German national with over 25 years experience as a hotelier across Europe and Asia, as General Manager.
This assignment comes after years of working in Bali before various international hotel chains in Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Christoph returned to Indonesia where his previous position as Western Regional General Manager saw him managing and overseeing around 30 hotels, over 3500 hotel rooms, and new hotel openings with the biggest chain of hotels in Indonesia while also being assigned in charge of accommodation services at the Athlete Village of the Asian Games and Asian Paralympic Games 2018.
Now, managing a cluster property with two different styles and concepts, especially in the New Normal, has required significant transformation and continuous learning on how to operate the hotels, with physical distancing, hygiene protocols, periodic reviews, and readjusting measurements and requirements in order to deliver services to hotel guests.
With an increased number of people being vaccinated, Christoph believes businesses will accelerate by mid year 2021, returning to a relatively normal business situation. Along with regular maintenance and a future refurbishment program that is expected to be confirmed by early next year, he is focusing on three pilars: Smart People, with a people development program from the management levels to the operation teams that ensures a stronger team will lead to stronger performance and open up more opportunities. Secondly, Smart Technology that provides new and upgraded technology, integrated into the operation for improved efficiency, while at the same time providing guests with better in-room services and facilities. Lastly, Smart Features which link more to the hardware, activities, upgrades and refurbishment programs of the hotels.
With a strategic location in Central Jakarta, the hotels can further maximize their services by, for example, offering outside catering services to surrounding companies, embassies and government offices. Christoph added, “I always remind the team, there are exciting times ahead of us! I instill the vision to our team and we step forward with a positive behaviour and mindset.“ He is confident that with Ascott as the parent company of the group, a leader in serviced appartments and residences that will complement and add options and experiences to the hotel guests, a post-pandemic hospitality industry will continue to grow, maintaining all health protocols and measures.
