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General manager, Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche, Julien Pechey

Monday, 19 Oct 2015

Speaking exclusively to Natalie Hami, general manager, Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche, Julien Pechey grants insight into the world of hospitality and his industry journey, while highlighting the property’s message at the World Travel Market 2015.

TTG: Having had a great deal of experience in the hospitality sector, what do you enjoy most about your job?

I love this job because every day is different; you don’t get bored and it’s very unique. I have never had two similar days since I started my career.

Your guests are ever-changing – there is a lot of in/out traffic –, and the hotel industry is very dynamic in terms of innovation, promotions and new products, especially in the food and beverage area.

A well-managed hotel is always ‘alive’; it never sleeps, and so many news things and projects are also happening.

Each day you come to work, you don’t know how your day will be, who you will meet and what will happen. In conclusion, each day is a new experience.

TTG: Tell us a little about how you entered this industry but also how you moved up the career ladder from chef to general manager. Why did you make this move?

I entered in the hotel industry as a receptionist/night auditor at a ski resort in France. Like many hotels in Europe, at night you are alone and handling several jobs at once; you are a receptionist and a security man, you need to be able to deal with room issues, among other things, and you must complete the closing of your property software either in room or in food and beverage. You must also be skilled in handling basic technical issues – this is where you learn a lot!

I started to work in the service industry five years before my first permanent job as a part-timer during my hospitality school years, as a waiter. I did not celebrate New Year’s Eve with my friends. I was working and collecting money, and most importantly, experience. My major is in finance and marketing for hospitality management.

When I moved abroad to Beijing in 2001, I went into operations. This was the best way to start and build up a career plan, integrating the local culture, learning on the ground with experienced ‘dinosaurs’ and expat hoteliers.

You should not work for the money and position, and whatever what you have learned in school in your home country, you need to reconsider it and look at yourself first. I went back to become a basic internship trainee without any hesitation, knowing that one day my hard work will pay off and offer me a better position and better conditions.

The rest of the story is a combination of opportunity, risk, chance, core values, discipline, anticipation, respect and learning. How have I evolved to this position? Because I made it happen and I always learn, look around and question myself.

TTG: Will you be attending this year’s World Travel Market? If so, what will you be promoting?

Yes, we will participate in the exhibition in London. We will promote the quality of the brand and emphasise that we are one of the best dry hotels in Abu Dhabi with a great location, showing that there are a lot of things to do in the UAE and raising more awareness of the destination for those visiting the exhibition.

As our motto ‘Do your things (here in Abu Dhabi) and leave the rest to us (here at Ramada Corniche)’ is a good summary, this is the message we will deliver to our future customers.

ITB Berlin and Singapore are also on our list for next year, as well the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

TTG: How are you working with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) to promote the emirate?

We do work closely with TCA Abu Dhabi and we do have mutual support as we host familiarisation trips from their side. We also join TCA in most of the local as well as overseas events.

Moreover, we also have great support from TCA as they promote the hotel and provide us with databases from their overseas offices.