60 SECONDS WITH HARUN DURSUN, GM, MANDARIN ORIENTAL BODRUM, TURKEY
How do you assess the hospitality industry in the MENA region and what do you think makes Bodrum stand out?
According to the EY Middle East Hotel Benchmark Survey Report, the MENA hospitality market in general saw steady growth in hotel occupancy in Q1 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2017. Several reasons were given for this, including shopping festivals, improving bilateral relations and overall pleasant climate conditions across the region. Bodrum is truly a must-visit location and a key tourist destination in the region. In addition to the beautiful weather, delicious Turkish cuisine and traditional Turkish hammams, it also offers key attractions for tourists, which include the historical Bodrum Castle, Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the Turkish village and much more. Our focus is to provide our guests with the most luxurious resort in Bodrum on a beautiful beachfront, with a variety of delectable dining options, an award-winning spa and genuine Turkish hospitality.
With Turkey facing an economic downturn, what steps are you taking to give the Mandarin Oriental Bodrum an edge ?
Our strategy has always focused on two major aspects, which is being unique in our offerings and services, and increasing our overall room occupancy by both accommodating our guests’ demands and anticipating their interests. What makes us unique, we feel, is that we have a wide selection of facilities, offers and activities to choose from, and that helps us target all our guests, regardless of their gender, age or what they are looking for during their stay. We also always listen to our guests and obtain their feedback on how we can improve our overall services and offerings. That said, our job is to also be proactive and always come up with creative ways for new activities and packages to keep our guests satisfied and coming back to enjoy our luxurious offerings.