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KONGRES MAGAZINE REPORT
Behind the scenes Regent Porto Montenegro Writer: Gorazd ÄŒad Photo: Regent Porto Montenegro
Preface In the first year of operation, the hotel earned 12 nominations and awards, including the Award World Luxury Hotels for the best hotel and spa center, it ranked among top hotels of the magazine Conde Nast Traveller, among VIP hotels in Sunday Times and got shortlisted for European award for quality in the hospitality European Hospitality Award. The hotel is also ranked on top according to the methodology of Kongres Magazine – Hidden Congress Guest. In the evaluating process received a record 4.90 points out of a 5 possible.
NEW EUROPE MEETINGS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
Exclusive interview
MR. MICHAEL POSCH, GENERAL MANAGER OF REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO From food & beverage to sales to operations, Posch has a demonstrated expertise across all operations in luxury hotels. During his role as the Director of Sales at Estrel Hotel Berlin, Posch was responsible for the sales of Germany’s largest hotel, with 1,125 rooms and over 5,000 key accounts.Posch joins the Regent team alongside a distinguished lineup of General Managers across Regent Hotels in Bali, Beijing, Berlin, Phuket, Singapore, Taipei, and Turks & Caicos as well as noteworthy corporate key executives including President Ralf Ohletz Count von Plettenberg, Vice President of Finance Wee-Ann Lim, Vice Chairman – Americas George Lidicker, Senior Vice President of Technical Services and Development Arjan De Boer, Vice President of Global Development – China Cai Shuo and Global Director of Sales Rene Mayer.
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Exclusive interview
INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL POSCH, GENERAL MANAGER OF REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO The entire hotel is my office Text by Gorazd Čad
Q: Maybe just for the beginning a little bit about your background? After graduating a the College for Tourism Managament in Austria my beginnings are related to one of the most famous global hospitality groups Hilton Hotels – and I did a management training at the Hilton Munich City, early 90’s, before being transferred to the Hilton Berlin. During my time with Hilton I moved into the convention sales department, pro-actively managing the conference and MICE sales. These are the beginnings when I got involved with the opening of the festival centre at the Estrel Hotel – the largest convention hotel and entertainment centre in Europe. As a part of Intercontinental Hotels Group team I was responsible for overseeing the refurbishment of an entire floor into a new convention area and looked after the room sales in their hotel in Munich. At some point I even started my own bussines, by setting up a restaurant with a large beer garden and catering service for the local town’s convention hall in the West of Munich. In the following years I improved my managanment and sales skills by being part of Estrel hotel in Berlin as Director of Sales and the Berlin based 4-star-superior Leonardo Royal Hotel which I did the opening for and took over as a General Manager. Then the opportunity at Porto Montenegro showed up, and here I am today. Q: What inspired you to decide on a career in the hotel industry? It started with travelling: I was fascinated by the hotels, way they operate and the different approaches. I somehow felt that I can also make a difference and with attention to the details I can make a ‘signature’ guests would appreciate. Q: How do you position Regent brand and approach to hospitality? Regent Hotels and Resorts Group is the symbol of luxury, bespoke service and elegance within the global hospitality industry and they are very successful at holding this leading position. I would define our approach to hospitality by rephrasing Regent’s Tao or motto: to hear without being told, to see without being shown and to know without being asked. We are committed
to create “home away from home” atmosphere for our guests. Q: You have been in Montenegro some time. Is Montenegro an exciting place to be doing business right now and open new luxury hotel? Montenegro is an exceptional mix of contrasts: tamed Mediterranean landscapes on one side and inland’s wild beauty on the other, traditional culture of Eastern Balkan on one and strong Western influences on the other side. That very mix creates a wonderful and exciting backdrop for high-end tourism developments. Five-star service combined with unspoiled nature and overall rawness gives a unique experience to the saturated travelers.
"A hotel manager would have to trust his colleagues and empower them to be creative and recognize their strong skills and encourage them to identify and work on the skills and tasks that need to be strengthened."
Q: What are the challenges when opening a new hotel in Montenegro? How does it differ from the rest of Europe? Regent Hotels and Resorts group has come to Montenegro following a successful step of already established Porto Montenegro development. In that way we did not meet too many difficulties, but were committed to offer an ex3
cellent service which will enhance Montenegrin overall tourist offer. We are proud to be part of this ongoing process of positioning Montenegro as one of the most attractive European high-end destinations. Q: How can Montenegro embrace modernity but retain its identity? That’s the biggest challenge for every rising destination, and in my opinion the secret of the success is in the right balance of old and new, unique and universal. It’s about to extract the best of both. Regent Porto Montenegro promotes fine dining, and our culinary team will incorporate all high-quality organic ingredients typical for this region to create modern unexpected blend of familiar tastes and as a result our guests will get new tempting menu. Q: How have you grown Regent Porto Montenegro hotel team so far? The department heads are all with an extensive international experience. Other key positions and about 70% of all our colleagues are people from Montenegro and the region. Our Executive Chef is a young professional from Croatia who gained his experience by sharpen his culinary skills in world-known Danish “Noma”. The people we hired are young, motivated individuals with the knowledge of at least one foreign language, eager to learn, progress and grow along with the Regent brand. I believe that we have picked the best employees from the amazing number of interested applicants. I have faith in the young generation of Montenegrins who are willing to work and prove themselves in their careers and I am confident that the trend that The Regent Porto Montenegro set – employing locally more than internationally, will be continued. Q: Your partners are the most demanding congress clients. What is it like to work with them and meeting their needs? One important part of our offer are our meeting venues: spacious and well-equipped Ballroom “Teodo” for up to 200 persons, Regent Lounge ideal for smaller and less formal events and Salon “Boka” which can accommodate 12 persons for
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important business occasions. We established trustful relationship with many regional and Montenegrin companies, offering them privacy, state-of-the-art technology, professional staff support and a wide choice of food and beverage menus. Q: Is the price associated with a sense of quality? It is known that the wealthier guests also decide on the basis of how high is the price. Our guests are discerning travelers who search for the unique Regent experience which combines impeccable service, luxurious facilities and attentive staff with the best that Mediterranean can offer – wonderful landscape, delicious cuisine and excellent climate. Price often reflects the quality of service but the quality of service is always consisted of many priceless details and experiences one just cannot buy. Q: What do today’s costumers expect from hotels in terms of sustainability? Sustainability issues touch on nearly all aspects of hotel ownership and management. Over the last decades it became so much more than just concern for energy conservation. Environmental responsibility as a part of corporate social responsibility, LEED green building programs when it comes to new build projects, waste disposal practices, usage of organic local food, it’s all part of hotel guests expectation. Regent Porto Montenegro hotel applies waste disposal practice in accordance with EU regulations. Regent’s “Green and Clean” signs are made of trimmed olive trees. By using local organic products we stimulate small local producers to continue developing this healthy practice. These are small steps yet acts of great importance. Q: What is your favorite place in Montenegro and why? Montenegro is truly the small country of the endless spectacular sceneries. I was amazed by the Boka Bay as soon as I arrived in Montenegro: the scenic mountains meeting the sea and the charming beauty of the Boka Bay grew on me instantly. As for the must see spots, I would definitely recommend Durmitor National Park and the Tara Canyon: to me, this is how I define the sheer beauty. Q: What do you personally love about Montenegro? I personally enjoy outdoor sports, especially sailing so my answer would be unspoiled Montenegrin nature. Sea and mountains on such a short proximity is quite rare to find. And people, young professionals I’m working with every day, their strong will to learn, to embrace the knowledge and to follow the global hospitality trends. Q: Where will Montenegro’s hospitality scene go in the next decade? Montenegrin tourism paved its road toward establishing Montenegro as a new top destination on Mediterranean offering high-level service combined with experience of enjoying surreal landscapes. In 10 years from now I expect Montenegro to double its 4-star and 5-star accommodation unites and to continue developing nautical tourism as leading tourism force in the region.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH MICHAEL POSCH: Q: What time do you like to be at your desk? The entire hotel is my office. Part of my role is to be present everywhere, to see everything to react every time. I am the first one in the office, checking the email, evaluating the results of the past day and reviewing the forecasts. Also, late afternoons are probably those hours when you may find me at my desk. Q: What’s your management style? I believe that this is the question for my colleagues not for my yet I value the work and efforts of each individual in this company. I do pay attention to details and immerse of oneself in to the tasks set in front of him / her. Q: What would your key management advice be? I believe that the targets need to be set so our colleagues would see what they need to aim for and achieve. On the other hand, a manager would have to trust his colleagues and empower them to be creative and recognize their strong skills and encourage them to identify and work on the skills and tasks that need to be strengthened. Q: What’s on your reading list? The Starbucks Experience: 5 principles into turning the ordinary into extraordinary The new Gold Standard: Five leadership principles for creating a legendary customized services, courtesy of the Ritz Carlton Company
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Behind the Scenes
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Behind the Scenes
REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO Meet the 2015 Meeting Star Award Winner for Best Resort Meeting hotel
Text by Gorazd Čad
Photo Credits REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO
126 YEARS OF NAUTICAL HISTORY When in 1886 Maximilian von Sterneck, the commander of Austro-Hungarian Navy, arrived in the little fishing village of Tivat, the fate of this destination changed irrevocably. The Austrian Navy was the seventh most powerful maritime force in the world before the First World War and he immediately recognized the strategic position of the bay, hence the idea to build a main naval base, which they called Arsenal, that would transform the image of the city. The Austrian naval base later played an important role in history, the story of which you can learn more through an interesting photo-journal that you can see once you go through the Regent’s main entrance. THE VISION OF PETER MUNK Tivat’s destiny turned once more when this picturesque bay impressed Peter Munk, the Canadian businessman with Hungarian roots. In 2007, he sailed into Kotor Bay with his yacht, Queen of Drachs, was immediately mesmer-
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ised and thus was born the idea of a marina for mega yachts up to a length of 160 metres. Munk gathered his friends who were willing to invest: Lord Jacob Rothschild and his son Nathan from the respected Rothschild banking dynasty, the French luxury brand magnate Bernard Arnault and the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripask. The construction of the Adriatic Monte Carlo immediately began and the first part of the marina was inaugurated in 2009. TECHNICAL HERITAGE The former Arsenal naval base was a major Overhauling Institution of the former AustroHungarian and Yugoslav Navy and the investors’ concern for its rich history and the environment is responsible for two interesting details. The entire hotel is equipped with extremely interesting technical images of the base’s past, which were rescued before its degradation and before every fan had the chance to siphon them off to private collections. The most impressive feature of the Naval Heritage Museum are the
Behind the Scenes
two completely reconstructed former Yugoslav Navy submarines. The P821 submarine, Hero, allows you to experience first-hand how to be a submariner and work in the submarine force, showing how things are in the most demanding and most dangerous war vessel. PRESTIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE The complex designers have placed their bets on sustainability and pleasure in designing a more modern and functional hotel in the Venetian palace-style, which yields a bit to traditional Montenegrin hotel clichĂŠs. The architecture is the work of Reardon Smith Architects, but Tino Zervudachi, primarily known as a decorator of luxury yachts, has designed the interior. The result is an incredible level of detail with stunning elegance. During a visit, it was possible to envisage a series of ideas of how an event could be organised: superb landscaped terraces and romantic paradise-like gardens are all in place, and everywhere picturesque views of the marina and the Bay of Kotor frame the view.
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Behind the Scenes
THE CREATORS OF THE NEW CULINARY SCENE Despite his tender age of 29 years, Croatian Chef Željko Knezović already has a wealth of experience. Among other places, he worked up dishes in the Danish cult Noma restaurant and in some of the best restaurants in the Adriatic. His culinary creations focus on Mediterranean tradition, with superior local ingredients at the heart of its cuisine, and his work complements the exquisite hotel story. Guests can enjoy the superb cuisine in the Dining Room and Gourmet Corner, the latter acting as a house bistro with delicious dishes suitable for light lunches and dinners. Everything here is about detail, which is overseen by the chef and his 31 colleagues. A special story is the unprecedented breakfast, the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else on the Adriatic. It is a bona fide true fine-dining experience, where it’s evident that the individual dishes are prepared very carefully and with an eye on the origin of the ingredients. Recently, Harpers Bazar has named this kitchen the best on the Montenegrin coast.
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Behind the Scenes
THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR EVENTS Lifestyle events, sumptuous weddings and memorable outdoor incentives are the main events at the hotel, with the global jet-set elite has quickly discovered the charms of the Montenegrin coast. The hotel also offers a series of events of their own production. The biggest congress hall, Teodo, accommodates up to 200 guests. In addition to this are the salon Boka, 2 foyers and the Regent Lounge. There is also the impressive Regent Spa. FUTURE - REGENT POOL CLUB RESIDENCES Regent Pool Club Residences will soon join the hotel. The modern apartments will be connected to the hotel and inspired by the style of the Italian Riviera. The special feature here is a central atrium with pool, which will act as a green oasis and also be suitable for organising events. Privately connected to the Regent Porto Montenegro, each residence has direct access to all the facilities and services of the fivestar hotel. Following a ‘Hotel Condo’ concept, Regent Pool Club Residences offer hassle-free ownership with an onsite management team to take care of all maintenance and rental administration.
REWARDS In the first year of operation, the hotel earned 12 nominations and awards, including the World Luxury Hotels award for the best hotel and spa centre. It also ranked among Conde Nast Traveller magazine’s top hotels, VIP hotels in the Sunday Times, and got shortlisted for a European award for hospitality quality in the European Hospitality Award. On top of all this, the hotel is also ranked top according to the methodology of Kongres Magazine – Hidden Congress Guest. In the evaluating process it received a record 4.90 points out of a possible 5. HERO SUBMARINE Hero Submarine has been active for almost 23 years and in 1991 was lifted from the sea to the shore. In its day, the submarine carried out 726 days and 910 dives, travelling 46,659 nautical miles, equivalent to twice around the Earth. It is 50.4 metres long, 4.7 metres wide, 9.75 metres high and weighs 706 tonnes.
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Behind the Scenes
REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO Porto Montenegro Village, 85320 Tivat, Montenegro Tel: + 382 (0) 32 660 660, Fax: + 382 (0) 32 660 661, e: reservations.pm@regenthotels.com, www.regenthotels.com/porto-montenegro ACCOMODATION: Regent Porto Montenegro offers 86 accommodation units ranging from double bedrooms to one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and residences. RESTAURANT, BAR & LOUNGE: Regent Porto Montenegro has 3 in-house restaurants: Dining Room, Library Bar and Gourmet Corner. Its gastronomy represents a distinguished mixture of Mediterranean cuisine. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: The hotel’s signature Regent Spa offers a wide array of treatments and a holistic approach to rejuvenation. Facilities include: Four treatment rooms, a relaxation room, separate his and hers changing rooms with lockers, experience shower, sauna, steam room and Hammam, fitness Studio and Juice Bar, indoor pool with Jacuzzi. Other recreational facilities: The 20m infini-
ty-edge infinity outdoor pool with expansive views over the marina and the Boka Bay. Also, within the marina village, guests have access to two outdoor tennis courts and sports club, where priority access is guaranteed. Guests arriving during the summer should not miss the Lido Pool, a gorgeous 64-m infinity outdoor pool. SERVICES & FACILITIS: Concierge service, 24-hour room service, Housekeeping service twice a day, Pressing & laundry service, Airline ticketing service, Transfers from/to airport, Boat transfers. Function facilities: the Ballroom Teodo, Salon Boka and Regent Lounge. POINTS OF INTEREST:
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Old medieval town Kotor, town of Perast and two signature islands - Our Lady of the Rocks and St George. TRANSPORTATION: Easily accessible through 3 international airports: Tivat (4.6km), Dubrovnik (47km) and Podgorica (90km). VISITOR INFORMATION: Language: Montenegrin/Croatian/Serbian Currency: EUR (â‚Ź) Electricity: 220 V Visas: Slovenian citizens are allowed to arrive Montenegro, pass through the territory and stay in Montenegro for up to 90 days with a valid passport/identity card only, or other document which proves their identity and citizenship, no visa needed. Source: www.mvpei.gov.me/rubrike/ konzularni-poslovi/Vizni-rezim-ino/slovenija LOCATION: Located in the heart of Porto Montenegro, a luxurious super-yacht marina on the Adriatic Coast (Tivat, Montenegro).