Ram Geci “The Best Always Goes with the Best”

View from the signing ceremony of the first InterContinental Hotel in Albania by Mr. Rame Geci (R) and Mr. Hylko Versteeg, Photo credit: Tirana International Hotel

The Owner and President of Geci Group, Mr. Ram Geci shared with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE his journey from the beginning to the moment of signing the agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group.

“The interweaving of InterContinental’s experiences around the world for 75 years and ours, domestically, for more than a decade will serve and give its effects in the best possible treatment of customers,” Mr. Geci told exclusively to TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

He highly appreciates the cooperation with InterContinental Hotels Group. “We have no doubts that it will be an excellent cooperation,” he said, underlining that “Hotel Tirana International, as an Icon for our city and country, will continue to function as it is, as a 4-star Hotel, with specific target groups, completely independent from InterContinental Tirana.”

Regarding the talks with InterContinental Hotels Group, Mr. Geci said that they had contacts and discussions with many prestigious world Brands. “In the end we decided on the best. Of course, the beginning was not easy for both parties, but here we are today, because the best always goes with the best.”

Full interview below:

1. Recently you signed the agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group. How would you assess this cooperation with this prestigious Group and what are your expectations?

The interweaving of InterContinental’s experiences around the world for 75 years and ours, domestically, for more than a decade will serve and give its effects in the best possible treatment of customers. We highly appreciate the cooperation with InterContinental Hotels Group and of course the expectations are at high levels, we have no doubts that it will be an excellent cooperation.

2. How did you select the InterContinental Hotels Group among many others that want to be present in our country, especially in the city center as you are for so many years?

We were very clear from the beginning about our selections for big Brands, and of course InterContinental is one of the Hotel Giants that should definitely be present in our country, in the center of the Capital. We had contacts and discussions with many prestigious world Brands and in the end, we decided on the best. Of course, the beginning was not easy for both parties, but here we are today, because the best always goes with the best.

3. With the signing of this important agreement, what are the plans ahead for the iconic Tirana International Hotel?

Hotel Tirana International, as an Icon for our city and country, will continue to function as it is, as a 4-star Hotel, with specific target groups, completely independent from InterContinental Tirana.

4. What is your view about the actual situation of tourism and hospitality in the country with the upcoming of many international hotel chains? In your view, what Tirana needs to have more in order to make the tourists stay longer?

I think that the situation has improved significantly, and will continue to improve with the addition of these hotel groups, and this is thanks to their decades of experience and good government policies in improving the country’s image with fiscal facilities. A good way to become attractive for tourists is: Applying as much as possible the traditional elements of the country, such as hospitality. To increase the quality and professionalism of hotel standard service provision and focus on food & beverage.