Acar looks ahead to the long run of Fairmont and Raffles.
Monaco is an exciting and glamorous getaway. The noble principality’s annual calendar is stuffed with lavish fashion events, a high-profile F1 race and next February will see the Forbes Travel Guide Summit, the world’s most significant meeting where luxury brands and luxury travel meet. So when the French enclave talks to Omer Acar, the brand new CEO of Fairmont and Raffles Hotels, he understandably perks up.
“There’s something very special about Monaco as a destination,” says Acar, who took on his dual role in January. “It’s the smallest city in the Mediterranean, but it’s also powerful and kind of dreamy. When you walk through the casino and see all the hustle and bustle, it’s quite an exciting place.” Fairmont Monte-Carlo is true on the water. It’s a dream destination.”
But it isn’t just the French Riviera that excites Acar today. As the face of two of essentially the most respected brands within the hospitality industry, Acar can be motivated to speak about timeless properties in New York and recent opportunities in India. “We look at the over 200 years of history that we have together. [with these hotel companies]”, he says. “I feel very honoured to own such prestigious brands and to be able to [parent company] Accor and Sébastian [Bazin, Accor CEO] Entrust it to me. It is an honor, but also a responsibility that I take very seriously.”
Knowing how hectic Acar’s schedule is straight away, Forbes Travel Guide thought this was the right time to introduce a fast interview format called “Express Check-In.” In this ongoing series, we’ll quickly cover a wide range of topics, from business tricks to popular minibar snacks, with a few of a very powerful people within the hospitality world.
Fairmont’s stunning property in Monaco.
Who do you admire most within the hotel industry?
I actually admire Parisian Societya restaurant group that understands that a restaurant will not be just in regards to the food, but additionally in regards to the atmosphere.
What is the worst trend within the hospitality industry?
Putting a chocolate candy on a turndown service gift. When you sweep your teeth, go to bed, and find that chocolate candy in your pillow. I still do not get it.
Which trend within the hospitality industry would you wish to see more often?
More sustainability.
What is an overrated culinary trend?
More and more chefs have an incredible talent for tracking down the very best produce from across the globe, but we do not necessarily wish to fly in fish from eight hours away.
What does hospitality mean to you?
At the tip of the day, it’s what I do day-after-day when someone visits my home. It’s common sense to handle people. To handle your employees. To handle your owners. To handle your guests.
The Fairmont New Orleans will open in 2025.
What is essentially the most underrated quality of leader?
Focus on the strengths of team members.
What might be the largest change within the industry in 10 years?
I feel exploring and discovering recent destinations and places might be the important goals. It is essential to open hotels and offer experiences in distant destinations.
What is the very best business advice you will have ever received?
Do it with love.
If you would change one thing in regards to the travel industry, what would it not be?
The queues on the airport.
What was your best achievement?
What am I doing now? I manage Raffles and Fairmont.
What is the last great book you read?
Lovemarks: The future beyond brands by Kevin Roberts.
Which travel destination can you come to time and again?
Bali has a novel energy.
The plaza offers excellent opportunities for people watching.
What is the very best little-known activity in your hometown?
I feel I’m sitting at [Manhattan’s] The spacewithin the lobby and watch the world go by. Whether it’s the style world, politicians, business people, easy families on the weekend or couples celebrating their wedding, [it is great].
What is your favorite thing to order from room service?
I even have a weakness for club sandwiches. When I am going to every hotel, I compare them.
What is your favorite hotel amenity?
Good water pressure.
Which snack or drink from the minibar do you enjoy most?
Fiji water.
What is your favorite cocktail?
A whiskey sour.
What is your wellness routine on the go?
Go jogging early within the morning. Sunlight and a bit sweating are the very best remedies for jet lag.
What is essentially the most impressive natural wonder you will have experienced while traveling?
I do not know for those who’ve ever been there. Lake Louise [in Banff National Park]but the colour of the lake is sort of unreal. It looks like someone got here and put ink in it.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Play tennis.
What does your dream vacation appear like?
Everywhere with my parents, my wife and my children.
What was essentially the most memorable meal you will have ever eaten?
If my wife is reading this text, it should be the primary meal she has ever cooked. The Royal Monceau [Raffles Paris]we’ve got a restaurant called Il Carpaccio. We have a partnership with Da Vittorio from Bergamo. This is a really famous Italian family. Their dish Vittorio’s bread is a really thick, tube-shaped pasta with tomato sauce. I simply can’t get enough of it.
Raffles Jaipur premieres this summer.
Window seat or aisle seat on the plane?
Window.
What are your most significant travel items?
My iPhone.
What is your favorite outfit for the airport?
Always a jacket and pants.
Is there a movie you’ll be able to watch endlessly on an airplane?
The Godfather.
Which travel destination on this planet is currently trending?
India, India, India, India.
Favorite view out of your room – beach, city or nature?
Lake.
Which city surprised you essentially the most whenever you visited?
How do you explore a brand new destination whenever you get off the plane?
If I haven’t got a gathering, I am going running.
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