Heddo Siebs

by Abyssinia Business Network / ABN /

MODERNIZING TRANSPORT

ABYSSINIA BUSINESS NETWORK ABN

Cluster General Manager

The spacious hotel lobby and its extended lounge area offers an integrated business center, a gift shop, flowers and a coffee area that serves freshly brewed, world famous Ethiopian coffee, delicious pastries and bakery items. At The Kitchen, a modern yet casual restaurant, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring authentic Levantine cuisine. At The Oriental, guests will experience a contemporary and lively restaurant featuring mouth watering barbecueue and authentic Asian cuisine complemented by attentive service. involving many participants to discussions among only a few people, we present event spaces to share and stimulate ideas. The hotel has 1,700 sq m (18,300 sqft) of flexible and contemporary spaces with natural daylight. There is the spacious 468 sq m (5,037 sqft) Regency Ballroom as well as two beautifully appointed meeting rooms with spacious adjacent pre-function areas and an open area terrace in the main hotel courtyard. Finally, there is the 400 sqm (4,305 sqft) Meskel Terrace, overlooking Meskel Square, for dinners and social events.

Cascara Coffee & Cocktails, located in the beautiful courtyard of the hotel amidst landscaped gardens and water features, is the place to be in Addis for informal afternoon meetings and sundowners after a busy day. Recreation and relaxation are the “order of the day” at the pool and spa. After a workout in the 235 sqm (2,530 sqft) fitness center with the latest exercise equipment, pass by the pool bar overlooking the hotel courtyard for a light bite or sunset cocktail.

Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa offers meeting facilities dedicated to providing the most versatile and flexible options to suit every event organizer’s personalized needs. From conferences or meetings

ABN: What do you think are the reasons customers prefer the hotel to other hotels with similar standards /grades?

Heddo : I think guests like our vibrant social spaces as well as our cuisine. Also the wellness areasincluding the spa, gym and infinity pool are very much appreciated.

ABN : What safety measures are you taking now to prevent the spread of COVID-19 here?

Heddo : The safety and wellbeing of our guests and colleagues is always a top priority. Some of the measures include:

• Colleague certification and training for hygiene and cleanliness • Increased frequency of cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants on all high-touch surfaces, guestrooms and sharedspaces • Implementation of enhanced food safety and hygiene protocols for restaurants,room service and group meetings and events • Prominently placed hand sanitizer stations through out hotel’spublic and employee areas and entrances • Exploring purification and sanitization device installation in an effort to ensure enhanced airquality • Protective masks and other equipment for hotel colleagues • Physical distancing guidance in public areas across hotel properties • Guests and employees must wear face masks while they are on the premises

ABN:How would you describe the capacity of your employees in different departments?

ABYSSINIA BUSINESS NETWORK ABN

ABN :Would you please explain how modern technology is incorporated in the hotel’s operation?

• Guests can book online via the World of Hyatt app and use their mobile phone as a digital key to check into their rooms • QR menus available in all outlets to avoid contact • Cutting-edge contemporary AV system • Automatic gate barrier / under vehicle scanning / face and plate recognition feature • GRMS system in place • AC system with heating and cooling features in all rooms and facilities

ABN :What short-term and long-term plans do you have?

Heddo : We always strive to be the preferred hotel in Addis and a trendsetter in Ethiopia.

ABN : Nowadays the Ethiopian government seems to be planning to ease the partial lockdown of the hospitality industry very soon, and tourists across the globe are expected to come to Ethiopia, how optimistic are you on that issue?

Heddo : I truly believe that our colleagues are the most important asset in order to make a difference, and it is through them that we look after our guests. Empathy and care are the most important tools to be successful. I always believe that the best service is always at home, since we naturally look after our guests with care and they can feel it is from the bottom of our heart, truly and naturally. If we manage to do that, and our colleagues look after our guests as they would look after friends and family at home, we are the winners. Heddo : I believe we have to be optimistic rather than pessimistic and learn how to adapt and overcome the current challenges. As you may have already seen, Ethiopia has been featured in Forbes magazine as a rising star in travel and it is assumed that the nation will be one of the major destinations in a post-COVID world. So the ease of the lockdown and any further measures to aid the industry will be very helpful.

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