Kempinski Hotels - Brochure 2018

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infrastructure and outdated network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

MANAGED DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS

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