Promising luxury with an exquisite European flair
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City: Engaging guests through technology WRIT TEN BY
CATHERINE S TURM AN PRODUCED BY
CR AIG DANIEL S
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Khaled Koro, IT Manager for Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, discusses how technology will support the group to deliver exceptional customer experiences
A
strengthening worldwide
a visit to Kempinski Summerland
economy has led to a significant
Hotel & Resort, Beirut reflects the
boom in global tourism.
culture of the destination” explains
The hotel business is thriving, where
Khaled Koro, IT Manager for Kempin-
smaller enterprises are competing
ski Hotel Gold Coast City.
against large corporations in develop-
Joining the Group in 2016 to support
ing new products and services to
the opening of Kempinski’s first
entice travellers.
European luxury hotel and Resort in
Situated within the hospitality
Lebanon, Koro believes that technol-
industry for over a century, Europe’s
ogy has been a significant driver
oldest luxury hotel group, Kempinski
across the group’s operations. Working
Hotels, provides guests with unforget-
alongside designers and contractors,
table experiences, inspired by exqui-
Kempinski has overhauled its digital
site European flair. Believing that life
infrastructure and outdated network
should be lived in style, its growing
to radically enhance its performance.
collection of distinguished properties provide a five-star, European luxury
Implementing new digital tools
service, wherever the destination may be.
Implementing high standards across
“If you visit Kempinski Hotel Gold
its entire portfolio, Kempinski Hotel
Coast City, Accra you’ll immediately
Gold Coast City has adopted new digi-
observe the European cultural fusion
tal tools to support staff and engage
engaged with technology. Likewise,
with customers.
“ Technology is going to further reshape the way we do business. All the big enterprises worldwide are focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality (VR)� — Khaled Koro IT Manager for Kempinski Hotels
From migrating its fibre connection and increasing its bandwidth capabilities, the group has worked alongside esteemed technology leaders to install wireless and mobile technologies, network switching capabilities, point-of-sales systems for restaurants and more. Hence improving efficiency and reliability. For guests, Internet Protocol w w w. k e m p i n s k i . c o m
MANAGED PRINT SERVICES
Hardware
Supplies
Services
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Solutions Document Management
Capture
Webforms
Multi-year contract
www.waspltd.africa sales@waspghana.com
Process Automation
Reporting & Compliance
“ From video and audio conferencing to banquet conferencing, we are implementing a new digital solution to promote our events” — Khaled Koro IT Manager for Kempinski Hotels
Television (IPTV), is installed
“These applications will instantly
in all rooms where they can gain
communicate the rooms’ status
full access to view bills and other
update, additional requests and
interactive services.
more. Nowadays, Kempinski
“We also use technology to
Hotel Gold Coast City has
enhance check-in and check-
invested in migrating into mobile
out experiences for guests
technology. So, from having
and suitable applications for
every room attendant having a
housekeeping, engineering
smartphone, this particular
and other operational depart-
application has enhanced the
ments,” he adds.
employees’ productivity.”
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Disrupting present business models Fully enhancing its network and guests’ services, Koro is continuing to seek new ways to further utilise data and analytics to transform ways of working and guarantee further business growth. “Whether it’s a hotel property, museum, or tourist destination, guests are able to take a look without even leaving their living room due to upcoming inventions in the next 10 years. The goal is to offer a preview of what guests will experience, or offer the next big thing.” “Technology is going to further reshape the way we do business. All the big enterprises worldwide are focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality (VR),” explains Koro.
Recreating success Following the successful opening of its first hotel in Lebanon, Koro is expected to deliver the same success by moving to Accra, Ghana, and
BIO
Khaled Koro joined the Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort, Beirut in 2016 as an IT Assistant Manager overseeing and managing the pre-opening phase of the Hotel. Which he played a main role in creating the successful story of Kempinski Lebanon. Khaled joined Kempinski from the CampbellGray Hotels in Downtown Beirut, where he worked as an IT Administrator from 2014 to 2016 managing the IT operations of the 103 boutique key Hotel and leisure facilities. Khaled studied Information & Communication Technology at the American University of Science & Technology in Beirut. A Lebanese national, Khaled speaks basic German and Turkish, fluent in English and his mother tongue Arabic.
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Click to watch: ‘Kempinski Hotels - An Iconic Resort in Beirut’
implement policies, standards and keep the technology up-todate with the latest software and hardware releases. However, with limited technology providers available, challenges will be clear from the outset. By partnering with authorised dealers and suppliers, Kempinski Gold Coast City has worked tirelessly to upgrade systems and servers and implement customer-focused tools and services. Eradicating the use of traditional newspapers, mobile applications and iPads are provided which enables e-newspapers to be accessed. Guests can also stream media over TV, mobile and tablets. For corporate guests, the hotel in Accra has successfully delivered exceptional banquet events by providing advanced technology and support. “From video and audio conferencing to banquet conferencing, we are implementing a new digital solution to promote our events at the hotel premises,� says Koro. w w w. k e m p i n s k i . c o m
“Unlike the old days, the hotel lobby is equipped with a stateof-the-art digital screen guiding guests to the hotel events and their location. “Future will utilise the VR technology in running more efficient “virtual” meetings whereby the individual won’t feel distant or remote from the other participants and would feel as all in one venue. “Technology is going to further reshape the way we do business. All the big enterprises worldwide are focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality (VR),” explains Koro. There will be truly no end to the value technology can add to travel and tourism, but we need to be careful it doesn’t become so good that guests prefer technology over the real thing.” By embracing technology, eliminating all paper-led processes and reaching business maturity, Kempinski Gold Coast City is no stranger to change and will continue to train its staff members on all technology
“ There will be truly no end to the value technology can add to travel and tourism” — Khaled Koro IT Manager for Kempinski Hotels
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FACTS
• Khaled joined Kempinski Hotels in 2016 to support the opening of its first European luxury hotel and resort in Lebanon • Following the successful opening of its first hotel in Lebanon; Koro is expected to deliver the same success by moving to Accra, Ghana, and implement policies, standards and keep the technology up-to-date with the latest software and hardware releases. • Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel provides guests with unforgettable experiences, inspired by exquisite European flair
which it believes to be essential to business growth, catering for luxury and offer memorable experiences for our guests. “We are always up-to-date with technology; we invest in our employees for them to serve our guests at their best.” notes Koro. “There are few hotels that can match us. Our service, believe me, is more exquisite, and more guest-oriented — technology is set to take us to the next level.” w w w. k e m p i n s k i . c o m
PMB 66 - Ministries, Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue - Ridge - Accra : Ghana T +233242436000