BEIRUT’S luxury boutique hotel Le Gray, Beirut recently appointed Rana Al Khoury as the new general manager. Al Khoury spoke to TTN about what’s in store for 2013.
What are your objectives as the new general manager at Le Gray?
As the new general manager at Le Gray, I will continue building on the existing strong team at the hotel and getting the right people together to move forward with positivity and vigilance to maintain the standard of service that Le Gray is known for. We are also looking to diversify our target markets along with continuous innovation in our restaurants and bars to cater to the local market needs.
In addition, although Le Gray already has a number of on-going environmentally friendly and CSR practices, I would like to further strengthen these measures throughout the hotel , and continue participating in the community’s well-being with more initiatives such as our Christmas Tree Initiative for the Lebanese Autism Society which took place over the festive period.
It is also essential to ensure the smooth operation and the success of Le Gray’s extension plans and realisation; this will involve a number of different and exciting additions to the property and will further strengthen Le Gray’s position in the market. I understand that my role in instrumental in the implementation of the vision of Campbell Gray Hotels to make Le Gray, Beirut its flagship hotel.
In the last three months, since my appointment, we have been restructuring and building the team with the plan to implement the identified objectives gradually and steadily.
Lebanon has faced a tough year in tourism for 2012. How has the political situation impacted on the tourism sector?
Although the tourism sector has been impacted by the upheavals occurring across the region, the outlook for 2013 is looking brighter and is the perfect opportunity for us to target new markets such as Asia, Eastern Europe and South American Countries in addition to staying focused on our traditional Arab and Gulf markets.
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What needs to be done to ensure tourists continue to return to the city? What kind of recovery do you predict in 2013?
Lebanon has always been a favorite destination with tourists from the Arab and Gulf countries and with increasing stability and security we do see a solid recovery. Improvement in the accessibility of the Lebanese market can definitely impact the influx of tourists to the city with initiatives such as competitive air fares and shopping festivals.
How did business fare at the hotel and what are the key initiatives in store for 2013?
Although the situation across the region has been a challenge for the hospitality industry in general, Le Gray maintained a reasonable occupancy level and our F&B outlets enjoyed ample patronage throughout the year. We maintained that the key to persevering through the bumpy times is building on the superior service quality, competitive edge and guest experience that Le Gray is known for.
What do you believe are the unique selling points of Le Gray?
Le Gray is a perfect combination of boutique chic, modernity and comfort, possessing a cultural wealth and being perfectly located in the historic heart of downtown Beirut. Aside from Le Gray’s exceptional service and personal approach, things such as our hand-picked collection of over 500 painting from different countries displayed throughout the hotel and popular nightlife and dining outlets give it a unique edge that makes it the ideal place to stay in Beirut.
Are there plans for any new developments at the hotel?
Le Gray is now preparing to begin work on its extension that will include a larger lobby with a lobby lounge, a chocolate room, banquet space, a 35-seat movie theater and an additional 18 rooms. The project should reach completion by end of 2014.
What do you foresee to be the major difficulties for the region’s hotel industry in future?
The hotel industry in the region is expanding at a great speed. Hotels are mushrooming in countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq which has increased the demand for hospitality professionals. Locally, it is of great importance that we produce and retain the resources and local hotelier talent that will be required for the hospitality industry to flourish, so as to ensure we constantly meet the demands of the industry.