Michael Kreipp
Welcome to the final episode of season 6 “Monday motivation – Felix asks” on Monday, November 15th, 2021. It is a memorable date, as one year ago today, the first episode with Mr. Barnes went online, and since I welcomed a total of 36 passionate beings from all around the world with different backgrounds and various engaging conversations. The year passed by during times when I was confident that Covid would be something of the past. But unfortunately, we are in the same vicious cycle with Germany going through rough times, and incidences are exploding without any assurances that we will undergo another lockdown. This uncertainty will have another negative impact on our industry. Passionate people will consider leaving our beloved industry.
The feedback that I have received from various people, and the encouraging messages, all show me the importance to continue sharing positive stories about the most exciting and beautiful industry in the world.
Going through all the interviews once more makes me grateful to everyone who participated in my little project so far. People like you are the reason working in hospitality and tourism is still extremely special. And with every interview I was able to do this year, the list of people I would love to feature in year two of "Monday motivation - Felix asks" got even longer. There are still many inspiring people on the list, and I cannot wait to share their stories and get to know them.
One person I have connected with because of this project is today's guest. Hence, I am taking you to Bad Gastein, a spa town in the Austrian state of Salzburg. Back in the days, the waters of Bad Gastein became a fashionable resort. The city looks back on a long list of special guests. As someone that loves the Middle East, I was especially happy to find a YouTube video from 1962 showing the arrival of King Saud ibn Abd al-Aziz to Bad Gastein. You should look at this beautiful piece of footage
My guest today is General Manager and Regional Director at the Cesta Grand Aktivhotel & Spa, part of Fidelity Hotels and Resorts, Michael Kreipp. Michael has a long career within the world of hospitality with various brands such as NH Hotels, Radisson Blu, H-Hotels, and van der Valk Hotels, before he joined the Cesta Grand Aktivehotel and Spa in February 2020.
I hope you will enjoy today's read, and please feel free to share your thoughts or comments below or directly via Email to felix@withfelix.de.
Question 1: Where did you start your career? What do you love the most about your current role?
Michael Kreipp (MK): “In 1997 I started my career as a fully trained hotel clerk at the Queens hotel. About my current role, I love the variety between administrative work and the direct guest contacts and the cooperative work with my young team, as well.”
Question 2: What does hospitality mean to you?
MK: “Hospitality means to me to give our guests unforgettable holiday moments every day.”
Question 3: Can you please share an anecdote you experienced, that shows the variety and beauty of our industry?
MK: “Of course there are a lot of stories that could be told, but the best memories are the positive guest resonances. When I changed my company in 2014, I had such a lasting memory. Before I left Salzburg, Helene Fischer was a guest in our house, and I took care of her well-being. A few weeks later I walked through my new hotel and who was sitting at the bar? Helene Fischer. She recognized me immediately and we had a small conversation. You know you have found your calling when a guest recognizes you and felt comfortable.”
Question 4: Have you had a mentor in your career? Who was it and did he/she give you a piece of advice you still follow?
MK: “All hotel managers in my career were mentors. I tried to acquire the best qualities of each director to create my style.”
Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality/ tourism student/ professional who recently started his / her career, at this right moment?
MK: “Especially in the current situation, the industry offers huge opportunities for motivated employees to start a successful career.”
Question 6: Do you have a book recommendation – this could be everything from a novel to an autobiography, etc.?
MK: „“Das Sacher –Die Geschichte einer Verführung” – Rodica Doehnert“
Michael, thank you very much for taking the time and I hope we will have the chance to meet in Bad Gastein or at Lake Tegernsee.
Please do not forget to #sharepositivestories,
Felix
