Rafael González Ensesa, anterior director general del Jumeirah Living Marina Gate de Dubai, es el nuevo director general del María Cristina de San Sebastián, un hotel de la marca de Marriott International The Luxury Collection. En su nueva posición, González será responsable de la estrategia y proceso operativo del hotel, uno de los más emblemáticos a nivel internacional, toda una institución en Donosti y parte activa de la vida social de la ciudad.

¿Cuáles son los retos de un GM en un hotel de lujo actualmente?

Hay muchos retos que enfrentamos, pero destacaría la necesidad de adaptación y resiliencia. Los recientes acontecimientos sociales y económicos han acelerado ciertas tendencias, lo que nos obliga a ajustarnos rápidamente a los cambios.

In the world of hospitality, experiences play a crucial role in creating lasting memories for guests. While everyone may talk about the ideal guest experience, it’s essential to recognize that not all experiences are created equal. What truly sets a guest experience apart and makes it unforgettable? Personalization is obviously key. Tailoring each interaction to the individual guest’s preferences and needs can elevate a stay from ordinary to extraordinary and as a result, be highly memorable. But there is more than just understanding preferences and meeting needs…

Europe’s tourism industry is experiencing a robust recovery in the first months of 2024. Based on data from reporting destinations, foreign arrivals (+7.2%) and overnights (+6.5%) in the first quarter of the year surpassed 2019 figures. This continues the upward trend observed in 2023, which recorded foreign arrivals 1.2% below 2019 levels, and nights just 0.2% below. The recovery is largely driven by strong intra-regional travel fuelled by Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. This is coupled with demand from the US, which continues to be Europe’s most important long-haul source market.