EXCLUSIVE
The man steering iconic Brisbane hotel through pandemic waters By Mandy Clarke, Editor
Adapting to meet obstacles head-on is how the team at Hilton Brisbane has powered through what must have been the most chaotic few months ever experienced by the Australian accommodation industry. Chris Partridge, Hilton Area General Manager of South East Queensland talks to Accom News about the effects of COVID-19 and how his team negotiated its way through
restrictions to create a postpandemic norm. “What has taken place this year is something we could not have predicted, that’s for sure,” Chris said. “But there are positives we can take from all this! We’ve learnt to be more agile, more nimble, and to be much quicker thinkers. The fundamental business vision of Hilton is to be proactive and seek out opportunity through innovation, the pandemic has seen us step up the pace of change.” With 36 years of experience in the accommodation industry, Chris has seen over four decades of change while working in
the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. He began his career in food and beverage in London at Gatwick Hilton, followed by the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane and a move to Australia in 1988 led to him the general manager role at Hilton Melbourne Airport, followed by a move to New Zealand as General Manager for Hilton Auckland and opening of Hilton Lake Taupo. Subsequently, Chris returned to Australia's Gold Coast where he spent two years managing Hilton Surfers Paradise and in 2015, he joined Hilton Brisbane. In the last few years, Brisbane’s hotel, restaurant, and bar scene really
began to shine. Now, it is a truly international city that offers a tremendous cultural experience and thriving social scene. The popular Hilton Brisbane evolved alongside the vibe of this young city and provides enhanced dining and leisure experiences, making it one of the CBD’s most iconic destinations. Indeed, before COVID lockdown, business at Hilton Brisbane was booming, according to Chris. In February and early March, the hotel was almost full and experiencing great conference and events business but within three weeks the hotel was looking at single digit occupancy.
Chris Partridge, Hilton Area General Manager of South East Queensland, Images supplied by Hilton
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AccomNews - Spring 2020
MANAGEMENT
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