Hotelier Middle East – August 2019

CAREERS

22 HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST | August 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 08

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
Since I was small, I have always been drawn to the
hospitality industry. The fun in hospitality is that not one
day is the same which makes it very exciting to work
in this fast pace environment. From there, I worked
towards getting into hotel school and starting a career
within the industry.

HOW HAS YOUR PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE INSPIRED YOU TO
GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
I had a great fi rst impression of the industry when I did
my internship in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai,
India. This is where I learnt about the beauty of the
industry and the personalisation of service. Through-
out hotel school I always enjoyed the topics on mar-
keting and project development and decided to give
it a try in my second internship and it led to me being
where I am today.

GIVEN YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE, WOULD YOU SAY IT IS THE MOST
NATURAL PROGRESSION TO BE A GENERAL MANAGER?
I have climbed my way to the top by starting off as an
associate, gradually moving into a PR & marketing
executive to then progress into a PR & marketing
manager to now being appointed as head of market-
ing and communications.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE OTHER MARKETS YOU WORKED IN AND
HOW THAT COMPARES TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE IN DUBAI?
I have always worked in the hospitality industry which
feels like home to me. I love the interaction with diff er-
ent people, and I think this is the perfect place to work
as you are surrounded by so many diff erent nationali-
ties and cultures. You learn something new every day
and that is what keeps it exciting.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FORESEE, AND THE
OPPORTUNITIES YOU SEE CROP UP FROM THEM?
People have the perception that marketing is just
about promoting the hotel, however it is integrated
in everything you do and sometimes this has its own

THERE’S NO ‘I’ IN TEAM

MY GOALS

MY CV

Media One Hotel head of marketing & communications Anu van der Sande aims to use her new perspective to drive results

Careers

Innovation and creativity:

I would like to continue to

do things differently by keeping

in mind the Media One spirit.

They have always been the kid on

the block to watch and I would

like to carry that forward.

Marketing is so much more

than what people think, I

would like to approach most of our

campaigns in a 360 way to be able

to measure the success of each

campaign and work on a strategic

marketing approach.

I want my team to grow

with the hotel but also

within the team, for them to

succeed is a success for me as

well. I hope to be able to create

campaigns with them that are

recognised across the industry.

In a couple of years, I

would love to head the

marketing of a group of hotels

in a boutique chain, doing

things differently and out of

the box is what I love about

my work and strive for.

Eventually I would

like to branch out into

hospitality related markets (from

hotels to restaurants) to offer

best practises and advise to

doing marketing campaigns in a

creative and different way.

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai

Front office associate

August to December 2011

Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Complex, Dubai

Complex PR & marketing associate

March to November 2014

Complex PR & marketing executive

January 2015 – October 2017

Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road &

Downtown Dubai

Complex PR & marketing manager

October 2017 – May 2019

Media One Hotel, Dubai

Head of marketing & communications

Jun 2019 – present

IN WHAT WAYS ARE PLANNING TO ADD TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR

NEW HOTEL?

I hope with the experience I have, and a new set of eyes we

can create great campaigns and carry forward the Media

One legacy that my predecessors have left me. There are

big shoes to fi ll and I’m excited to take on this opportunity.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE ANY NEW INITIATIVES OR PROGRAMMES

THAT YOU ARE PLANNING ON INTRODUCING AS PART OF YOUR

NEW POSITION?

We are gearing up for some great campaigns in the

next few months, we have our 10th anniversary coming

up and of course Christmas is something that we plan

on brining to life the Media One way. In addition to that,

we are working hard on our digital presence and that

will have a major focus for the next six months.

challenges. The nice thing is that with experience your

challenges become your biggest wins and it prepares

you for anything that comes your way. The key to real

success is your team, without the people around you

nothing great can be achieved. I always remember that

and value everyone’s input.

WHAT WOULD SAY ARE A FEW OF YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT

ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR?

I have had the opportunity to do some great 360 mar-

keting campaigns with some of my previous properties

and create real memorable moments for our guests

and associates. In addition to that it is the teamwork

that makes it all a success and being able to work

closely with everyone towards a common goal is what I

strive for every day.

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