NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 27 – For the past 30 years, Thomas Simonnet has worked for Accor group across 7 countries in a total of 18 hotels starting as a food and beverage manager at Novotel hotel in South of Paris in 1993.
He grew in the ranks over the years moving to Sofitel also in France then Sofitel in Budapest, Hungary.
In 2007, Simonnet moved to managerial roles after being appointed General Manager at Mercure City Center in Budapest.
After three years in two hotels in Budapest, he then moved to the Dominican Republic as a country manager for three hotels owned by Accor group; MGallery Hostal Nicolas de Ovando, MGallery Hotel Frances and Mercure Commercial.
In 2013, he came back to Africa after being appointed General manager Novotel Senegal before moving shortl to Ibis, then 2017 he moved to general manager Novotel in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Fast forward to 2020 and he was appointed general manager Pullman Nairobi, this was just before Covid-19 hit and hotels had to shutdown. This was a sort of stepping stone for him or a short break of sorts.
From 2020 to 2022 as the hotel industry was recovering from the troubles of the pandemic, Simonnet worked as a consultant in hotel organization management supporting hotels in the reopening phase post-Covid while offering learnings on how to modify operations to the new realities.
As the sector now approaches full recovery, Simonnet is back in business after being appointed the new General Manager Ibis Styles Nairobi which is also owned by the Accor group, he spoke to Capital business on his plans in his new role.
Why did you choose the hotel industry?
I chose the hotel business industry because I like the human part of it, it is rich. Ever since I started working for Accor, I have never had the same day. I never had the feeling that I did this yesterday, every day I learn something new. This is why I chose this. I get to share with guests and staff and this is extremely rich because I learn every day.
How was it working for different brands?
It was different in each hotel. Each brand is able to give you a service, there is no hotel better than the other one. If you compare 3-star hotel and the 5-star hotel there is no difference in the service, but each brand has its own unique way of serving guests.
What are your plans for Ibis styles?
Having worked for Ibis in Dakar, I love the brand therefore I am very enthusiastic to be back. I plan to be very dynamic and bring new products for clients as this brand allows me to think out of the box. I feel fully empowered to do new things. I will be working with the owner of the hotel to change the offerings; we are going to bring something new to the city.
In your 30 years in the industry you have been faced with different challenges, how are they shaping your leadership stance as you take up this role?
I think the biggest challenge was Covid-19 because there was no movement. It brought everyone to think differently, you can’t think how you thought before Covid. Moving forward most companies, hotels included, realized they need to have a strategy, learning points, targets, budgets, focus. This was not there in the past and I think it is a good turn even as I lead. Things are now running better and we hope to recover fully.
How is the hotel going to continue recovering?
Our 2023 target is to stabilize our business to get more finance, to get more benefits. For almost two years the Ibis styles owners were spending and not getting back money, now we are working to reorganize how we get profit. We understand that travellers have reorganized their way of working, a lot of working from home. We are now working to give back self-confidence to people for travelling to have the market secure. This is because we don’t know if Covid will come back, we are still uncertain about the future. Even so we are hopeful for new stability in the market; new hope and trust.
Key lessons from the pandemic?
I think before Covid, life was too complicated, now we are more simple. Covid brought back humanness. During covid there were so many restrictions such as masks, social distancing, no greetings, we had become like robots. Now we value the smiles, greetings and are as simple as ever.
How will you deal with competition?
I am not scared about new entrants, as more and more players come this is good for us as it shows Kenya is a good market. What we will continue to do is be the best three star hotel catering to the four star needs. We will more attentive to our guests.
How are you working towards the sustainability of the business?
We pray there will not be another pandemic, but even as we hope we are preparing our staff to be able to face uncertain times such as the Covid-19 period.
As you join the Kenyan market, what is your main agenda?
I want to have pleasure in my work, my aim is to share my experience. I don’t have any truth, I can only tell you what I have experienced across the world.
In the hotel, I will strive to give people souvenirs when they leave our hotel because we are selling a service. We need to have the same services. We want if one waiter serves you with a smile, everyone should serve with a smile. I will push the staff to give the best to our clients, to have them come back here.
