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Perform:Duong Thuy
Although it opened in mid-March, InterContinental Nha Trang – the newest international 5-star hotel in Nha Trang – only recently held its launch event in Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Pascal Caubo, General Manager of InterContinental Nha Trang, shared with Travellive reporters the business strategy to drive the growth of this fourth InterContinental hotel under the IHG group.
A Dutch national, Mr. Pascal Caubo has been involved in the hotel management industry for over 20 years. Prior to assuming the position of General Manager of InterContinental Nha Trang, he was the Deputy General Manager of InterContinental Asiana Saigon.
Travellive: There's a Vietnamese proverb that says, "All things are difficult at the beginning." What was that experience like for you when you stayed at InterContinental Nha Trang?
Mr. Pascal Caubo:Of course, there are many challenges when starting a new job, especially bringing a 5-star international standard hotel into operation. However, I feel fortunate to have a very dynamic and enthusiastic team of employees by my side. We work together harmoniously, seamlessly, sharing and bonding with each other. All of this is aimed at affirming InterContinental Nha Trang as a perfect 5-star luxury accommodation, an ideal destination for tourists visiting Nha Trang, which has been voted one of the 29 most beautiful bays in the world.
Travellive: Formerly a Crowne Plaza project, what significant changes has InterContinental Nha Trang undergone since rebranding, sir?
Mr. Pascal Caubo:Every hotel brand always has one.conceptThe design and layout bear a unique imprint. When transitioning to the InterContinental brand, all previous designs were rendered unusable and had to be completely changed. Our team spent months working intensively with architects, construction companies, and suppliers, meticulously translating our vision to transform the hotel into a perfect InterContinental Nha Trang, meeting the brand's standards.
Travellive: Unlike Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the local workforce of the appropriate caliber to work for InterContinental Nha Trang seems insufficient to meet the demands of an international-standard hotel. How did you and your management team overcome this human resources challenge?
Mr. Pascal Caubo:It's true that Nha Trang still lacks a sufficient number of well-trained personnel in the hospitality industry. Recognizing this, we have planned our recruitment based on criteria that prioritize young people with potential, and above all, a willingness to learn and a passion for the job. We actively visit universities and colleges in the city to talk to young people about career opportunities, and through these interactions, we have selected a team of young but extremely enthusiastic employees. We believe that experience and skills can be trained, but a sense of responsibility and passion must come from within. My philosophy on this matter is: "Take good care of your employees, and when they are happy and work with a relaxed and enthusiastic attitude, they will bring that into their work and provide excellent customer service, and that is the key factor in bringing customers back to us." That is also the secret to my success!
