For Jiri Kobos, Managing Director of Dusit Thani International, the vast panoramas of life have certainly had an unswerving impact on the evolution of his art and expressions. Born in Northern Bohemia, Mr. Kobos developed an untimely interest for the Orient and the artistic influences of different cultures. For over the past 25 years his profession as a successful hotelier has enabled him to live in 13 different countries on four continents, freeing him to reflect his, experiences, thoughts and emotions – by translating them into inspired visual formations…

 

Mr. Kobos, Welcome to Cairo, I read in your extensive profile that you have broad experience in Europe and Asia. In your opinion, how significantly can ethnicity be a factor within the hospitality industry?
A very significant impact, as hospitality is based on cultural history in majority. Even the more recent contemporary service concepts that are being introduced, I believe are still deriving from the cultural traditions. Cross cultural blends of service concepts, like ours, are the result of globalization and development, commercial migrations and migrations.

 

During this hard-hitting economy the world has been experiencing since last year, what measures in your opinion should be taken to minimize any loses in the hotel business? Considering the fact of the down fall of the Euro at the present time…
The bear and bull markets have been roaming for generations, so have the leading currencies had their highs and lows, to maintain a ‘balanced’ business formula through out the lows and peaks is really the foundation to healthy business, regardless of sector. Not to over extend beyond calculated sustainability in peak times and to preserve streamlined structures and efficiency levels which during the lows have expandable margins. Saving
measures within hotels begin with all areas that have no direct effect on the customer, then to enhance the product offer to protect market share. Team well fare, team building and training should continue as customer service, retention and business relations become even more important.

 

Pricing is an important factor in the hospitality business, in such a tough economy, do you think guests and travelling agencies are choosing the price over the service?
Yes, every business has its limits and levels of tolerance, some more sensitive to economic shifts than others, but in the end as we have seen in 2009 everyone does, and anyone selling something through adaptability and creativity can come out perhaps even stronger.

 

In your profile it is mentioned that you have introduced support function for Afghan war refugee camp and orphans by implementing self-help projects and fund raising initiatives, in your opinion how important is the Corporate Social Responsibility?
I believe it is a part of the measure of a successful and respectable company, one which extends their vision beyond the income statement and participates in improving the future in any aspect as long as it benefits humanity.

 

Training, motivation and team work are the essence of
any booming business, but what is the magic equation for
such success?
Vision + Passion + Fun + Perseverance + People management = magic

 

Of all the countries you’ve worked in, where did you feel
the most appreciated?
Good question, I would say, in all of them in one way or the other, as I made friends in all of the countries, worked with great professionals, and both learned and taught in all of them.

 

You also managed the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, India. What were your personal reactions to the extremist attacks there?
I managed the Hyatt Regency, the attacks took place after our departure, but regardless, the reaction to such inhuman acts in which friends perished is a state of numbness, incomprehension and sadness, the search for ‘the why’ but so unfortunately is our history of mankind.

 

I understand that you are a passionate artist. What influenced you to evolve in pursue of your artistic ambitions?
To translate and ‘express’ experiences, thoughts and emotions into creative visual formations…

 

How do you find balance between your work as a professional hotelier and as an abstract expressionist painter?
Painting is the balance, its part of my life now like my family, where there is a will there is way, and to balance passions is easy.

 

When and where, was your work, first publicly exhibited?
1994, in Jakarta, a friends Gallery called Old Java, before that mostly through private showings and commissions that I began ‘sharing’ my works.

 

Looking back, how does it feel knowing that you are effectively following your dreams?
The sense of accomplishment drives us on, the next challenge ahead is to know when it is enough, as that I believe is the true fulfillment.