Eggert Muus is an open-minded, optimistic man confident about the future of ‘Concorde El Salam Hotel Cairo, despite the fact that he acknowledges the fierce challenges in an extremely competitive market; Muus envisions a bright future for the hotel. He focuses on the morale of his staff members and says, “My team is my family, staff members who have done an extraordinary job are rewarded - to foster a sense of belonging in them”. Muus absolutely enjoys the mobility afforded by his career, as it grants him a chance to explore other cultures. Born in a touristic area of Germany close to the Baltic Sea, he had initially intended to go into banking or insurance. However, he joined a hotel management program which taught him every aspect about the industry, and accordingly Eggert Muus decided to pursue it. Read on to discover this issues “Man of Action”.
Please introduce Eggert Muus to our readers.
I’m a German citizen who joined ‘Concorde El Salam Hotel Cairo’, to proficiently fulfill the position of General Manager of the hotel since 19 of October 2009.
You graduated from the ‘Johann Heinrich Voss Gymnasium Eutin School’, Germany. When did you decide that the hospitality industry was exactly what you wanted?
In fact my initial goal was to get my education in banking, but I changed my mind and went into hotel management as I always enjoyed hosting guests back home. Growing up in a touristic area of Germany, close to the Baltic Sea and its beach resorts, I decided for an education program in hotel & restaurant management which I completed in 1982.
You were the General Manager of the Swissotel, Hong Kong and Kempinski Hotel, in China for several years, before being appointed as the new General Manager of Concorde El Salam Hotel Cairo , Egypt - correct? What are the most significant differences you have noticed since your arrival, when compared to your initial experiences when you were Deputy General Manager for Sheraton Heliopolis Cairo back in 1997?
Since my previous appointments here in Cairo the number of hotels has increased and the competition is extremely fierce. The same time, development in hospitality training in the country seems to have stagnated or cannot match the requirements of growth in the industry. However the overall kindness of people in Egypt has remained on a high level.
No doubt your broad international experience will be an invaluable asset to the Concorde El Salam Hotel Cairo in Egypt, and I understand that you have not yet been working here for a period greater than 3 months, but I’m fascinated to know –What were your personal expectations from the employees of the Middle East?
My personal expectations are to apply tools of International planning & management, and to provide the team with the necessary training and coaching to understand and support these goals. Teaching and implementing structured communication into a team no doubt will bring positive results and ensure more stable and consistent service standards in order to increase guest satisfaction.
What considerations do you incorporate in the workplace environment to stimulate innovative and positive productivity?
Gradual implementation of new concepts and technologies in order to ensure all team members can follow these changes, see the benefit and consequently support the new approach where needed.
How seriously has the economy crisis impaired the hospitality industry worldwide?
Egypt with its historical sites, great beaches, perfect climate and image of hospitable country along with its extremely competitive prices will always ensure a quick return in leisure business and the same happened in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2009. So the overall drop in touristic guests is minor compared to 2008 and is expected to grow further.
Corporate business is affected stronger, though financial disasters in banking and the finance over all are not greatly related to Egypt. Yet investment climate is not very promising, overall lack of infrastructure and complicated customs obstacles are not supporting fast recovery, and corporate segment will take longer to recover fully or even show a stronger growth in the years to come.
What challenges do you foresee and how do you plan to overcome them?
The challenges are to find, train and maintain the level of top performing employees. Hotels in the Heliopolis region are suffering challenge of applying price levels allowing sufficient funds to maintain the product well. The challenge and mission will always be to increase training activities, ensuring quality services and increase customer focus and care, but I am sure, with a strong team our set goals will be achieved.
I had a read through your Curriculum Vitae earlier, and I’m interested to hear your opinion - With such a remarkable record of credentials, which do you consider your utmost triumph?
The biggest triumph I had in 1991 when I was part of the pre opening team of the first member of ‘Leading Hotels in the world’ in St. Petersburg in the North of Russia, where at that time just nothing was available as far as products, know-how and xperience are concerned. Yet up to date this hotel is the best I orked in my entire life.
From a proficient viewpoint, are any industries recession resistant?
The hotel industry can always find its way out of any recession, hough recent oversupply is the threat and the reason for increasing challenges as far as profitable operation is concerned. Deluxe and five star hotels will always face the biggest challenge, s customers tend to opt for lower categories in periods of crisis.
"Since my previous appointments here in Cairo the number of hotels has increased and the competition is extremely fierce. "
