Gulf Times recently met with Christian Hirt, managing director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, for an exclusive interview.
Gulf Times: You arrived in Qatar at an auspicious time and at a very historic moment in the country’s history being the host of the Middle East’s very first FIFA World Cup. How does this make you feel considering that this is your first time in the region, and how will this opportunity define you as managing director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha?
 Christian Hirt, managing director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha |
Hirt: Qatar isn’t new to me. I’ve spent a significant amount of my time in the country over the past seven years as it was a key feeder market for my previous hotel. However, there couldn’t be a more exciting time to be in Doha, or indeed the region, as 2022 FIFA World Cup is a momentous event for the entire Middle East being the first World Cup to be held in an Arab nation.
My entire team and I are extremely excited about the tournament and the opening of our two hotels. This is an assignment of a lifetime for us all. There’s a lot of expectation for our offering, which we live up to, so the responsibility is great. We are fully aware that all eyes will be on us as both brands are debuting in the Qatari market and Raffles Doha is the nation’s first all-suite property. On a personal level, this is one of my biggest challenges to date and most certainly, a career high point.
Raffles and Fairmont Doha is an iconic and imposing structure, commanding the attention of those visiting Lusail City. Kindly enlighten our readers on the shape of this establishment. Why was it built that way, what does it represent, and what role will it play in promoting Qatari culture and heritage?
The towers will be one of the world’s most iconic destinations – a striking and innovative landmark that celebrates Qatari culture and hospitality as the nation looks to the future. It’s an incredible project, which embodies Qatar’s national pride and ambition, and is designed to be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike.
Inspired by the crossed swords of the country’s seal, the architecture and interiors incorporate design features inspired by Qatari culture and landscape. It’s an architectural marvel which will fast become one of the most photographed buildings in the region, if not the world, particularly during the World Cup.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner and the country is expecting some 1.5mn tourists and fans to arrive in Qatar for the tournament. Please share more information on the hotel’s preparations for this influx and how it will impact operations.
We scheduled the opening of both hotels to coincide with the World Cup and we anticipate receiving numerous distinguished guests. Our opening teams are working flat out to ensure our facilities live up to expectations, that our staff is fully trained, our food and beverage (F&B) of an exceptional standard, and that when we open, we deliver to an entirely new hospitality benchmark.
We recruited exceptional hospitality and culinary professionals from all corners of the world who are bringing a level of innovation and creativity not previously seen in this market, if not the region. Our operations team began work 18 months ago and we are now onboarding over 1,200 staff members of more than 75 nationalities.
We also engaged haute couture designers for our colleagues’ wardrobes and have developed immersive guest room and suite concepts and aim to deliver service that goes beyond imagination. The stand-out features of the properties, including an awe-inspiring, 30-metre-high kaleidoscopic atrium, a collection of specially commissioned artworks, and a hidden garden are likely to win fans globally by going viral on social media.
