Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled to present an exclusive interview with Idriss Saoudi, General Manager of Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach and Spa, who was recently named one of the TOP 100 Hotel General Managers of the World by Luxury Lifestyle Awards in 2024. This recognition highlights Saoudi’s leadership and commitment to excellence in the luxury hospitality sector. This interview offers unique insights into the world of luxury management and the standout attributes of Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach and Spa.

Alexander Chetchikov: Congratulations on being named one of the TOP 100 Hotel General Managers of the World by Luxury Lifestyle Awards! What do you think sets Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach and Spa apart from other luxury resorts in the region?

Idriss Saoudi: I would like first to take this opportunity to warmly thank the committee for this recognition, it means a lot and nothing would have been possible without the contribution and engagement of the amazing team of Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach & Spa. Except for the stunning location, in the Mediterranean Sea, and boarding one of the best beaches of Morocco, what sets Sofitel apart is definitely the generosity of our team members to deliver exclusive and personalized service, we are heading to our 10^th year since the opening of this hotel, and I can tell proudly that I’ve never met such genuine people, which only desire is to make sure their guests are spending the best moments among us.

AC: As a luxury hotel manager, what strategies do you employ to ensure a truly exceptional guest experience?

IS: Luxury experience varies from one guest to another, and one of the easiest ways to approach it is to prepare as best as we can for the stay prior to guest arrival, that’s what we strive to achieve here at Sofitel. Our brand is also well-known for its exclusive service cousu main, where we try with all due humility to touch the hearts of our guests.

AC: Luxury hospitality is all about creating memorable experiences. Can you share a particular story or guest interaction that highlights the level of service you strive to provide at Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach and Spa?

IS: I remember one particular moment last summer 2024, when some clients informed us that they would be celebrating their 60^th wedding anniversary, we decided to make that celebration a special one, one that they will never forget. We designed a committee involving each department of the hotel, and we prepared for almost 2 months at this moment.

We finally agreed to have an enchanting dinner set up on the beach with a fairytale-inspired decoration, we managed to contact their children and knew about their preferences, the chef prepared a customized show cooking next to them and we had the chance to have an extraordinary full moon over the sea that night. I can’t tell you enough how the guests felt that night but we really touched their emotions. They came back a few weeks later to stay again with their children, grandsons, and friends.

AC: How do you foresee the future of luxury hotels evolving in the coming years, particularly in terms of guest expectations and technological advancements?

IS: A new generation of young customers have started to travel, they are young, they have high expectations and they want exclusive experiences. In addition to that, they’ve grown up with a completely transformed digitalized offer. They are looking for a seamless stay, where technology is at every touch point of the customer journey. AI will definitely play an important role in different ways: choosing a destination, connecting people looking for the same emotions, etc.

AC: Now, let’s shift focus to your role. What do you consider the most challenging aspect of managing a luxury hotel like Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach and Spa?

IS: In my opinion, our main challenge in a luxury environment, is to make sure that everyone in the team perfectly understands the important role he plays as a whole, every single decision we make, has an impact on the guest experience, therefore, ensuring a permanent horizontal communication at all time can guarantee a success or failure in our mission. Last but not least, is to constantly design a succession plan at all levels, our industry offers endless possibilities and everyone should benefit from it.

AC: How do you maintain a balance between the authenticity of Moroccan culture and the sophistication of French-inspired design at the resort?

IS: Our logo represents the link between the best of the local culture and the French art de vivre, and our guests are looking for genuine and authentic experiences, therefore we offer them the possibility to discover how we work with the local community, and how we contribute to develop the talents in the region. For instance, we identified a local farmer, who was making one of the best goat cheeses, with an original recipe from its ancestors, and we proudly contributed to developing his business unit production. Today, his product is distributed all over Morocco.

AC: What role does sustainability play in your operations and the overall guest experience at Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach and Spa?

IS: Guests are more aware than ever about the footprint tourism has on the environment, Accor was one of the pioneers to adopt a long-term strategy towards sustainably, for instance, single-use plastic has been removed definitely from our activities. Many other projects have been implemented such as food waste management, aiming to reduce it significantly, or Green Watt which is a global solution using geothermy and aerothermy to reduce energy consumption.

AC: In your view, what is the key to building a team that can consistently deliver the high standards of luxury hospitality you expect at your resort?

IS: You can ensure that everyone in his role has the knowledge, the tools, and the willingness to perform at the highest level, but it’s never enough… if you don’t make sure that everyone in the team has the same aligned vision of excellence. Only then, everything is possible.

Thank you for your valuable insights, Idriss! It has been a pleasure discussing the art of luxury hospitality with you. To learn more about Sofitel Tamuda Bay Beach and Spa and experience the unique blend of Moroccan and French luxury firsthand, visit their official website: https://www.sofitel-tamudabay.com/en/

For a glimpse into Idriss’ world, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/idriss-saoudi-a8b796a1/