Shaping Luxury and Sustainability at InterContinental Dhaka

1. Give us a low down on your journey in the hospitality industry.

Ans. My journey in the hospitality industry has always been very fulfilling. Being the brand custodian and marketeer of renowned global brands has been very enlightening throughout my hospitality career. Every brand has a unique persona and positioning the hotel through the brand lens has been something that I’ve enjoyed the most. Each day brings in something new – a new opportunity, a new challenge, a new perspective and a new learning. I truly enjoy networking with global guest partners, learning from industry stalwarts, working with a multicultural team and creative storytelling. There is a lot of glamour in the hospitality industry, which attracted me to it. It is a lifestyle once you start enjoying, you cannot let go. 

2. How has it been ever since you joined the InterCon Dhaka? How is it different from other properties you have worked for? 

Ans. I always dreamt of working for InterContinental Dhaka – the first Luxury hotel of Bangladesh with a legacy very few hotels in the world can equal. This historic institution is deeply intertwined with the Great Liberation of Bangladesh. The leadership team, the colleagues and the work culture here is fantastic. We are truly the “1 Team” who have enjoyed breaking various quantitative and qualitative records together and I stand proud to be a representative of this iconic hotel.

3. As a marketing expert in the realm of the hospitality business, how has consumer behaviour shifted? 

Ans. Consumer behavior in the global hospitality industry is looking very promising. The guest today is more aware and is always seeking experience-driven, technology-focused, ethical and sustainable tourism. At the same time, as a service provider, we are also dedicated to providing personalized, convenient, wellness and sustainability-focused services to cater to our guests’ needs.

4. Tell us about the recent accomplishments of InterCon Dhaka (the award)? How would it impact your hotel’s reputation? 

Ans. InterContinental Dhaka has recently been recognized as a Continent and Regional Winner at the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards, as Asia’s Best Lifestyle Hotel at Haute Grandeur Global Awards and as the Leading Luxury and Eco-Friendly Hotel at the country’s first Bangladesh Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Awards. In recent years, our iconic hotel has been awarded numerous times in various categories by World Travel Awards, South Asian Travel Awards and other prestigious organizations which we feel highlights the potential of Bangladeshi Hospitality globally. It also reflects our commitment and passion to achieve excellence every day. Our guests from all across the world also acknowledge these international recognitions, which gives them a lot of confidence to stay or host events with us.

5. Tell us about the new initiatives/programs/events your hotel will launch. 

Ans. As a Luxury brand of IHG, we all have a common goal of shaping the future of responsible travel by creating awareness and by implementing sustainability initiatives at our hotel in our Journey to Tomorrow. At InterContinental Dhaka, we champion Sustainable Hospitality and some of the initiatives that we are proud of are – Implementation of “Farm to Fork”: a concept through which we utilize our rooftop spaces for growing organic herbs and vegetables, which are used by our culinary team during food production. We have also been using bulk and eco-friendly amenities to reduce single-use plastic (SUP) at our hotel. We have also recruited Differently Abled Colleagues (DAC) to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workforce. Aside from our sustainability initiatives, we also tailor-make our hotel offers keeping our guest preferences and requirements in mind. Towards the end of the year, we will be activating Festive Staycation and Food & Beverage Promotions to celebrate Christmas and New Year. On Christmas, we will also be hosting a Christmas Kids Wonderland for the little ones and their families. 

6. Will there be anything special for the wedding events for which InterCon is famous?Ans. InterContinental Dhaka has always been the top destination for hosting extravagant weddings which is mainly because of the spacious indoor and outdoor banqueting spaces our hotel offers along with our rich legacy of providing delicious food & beverage. We are currently offering 3 Wedding Packages featuring exclusive wedding menus, complimentary venues and a honeymoon suite for guests looking to host their dream wedding at our iconic hotel. We are also offering Honeymoon Staycation packages, which have been very popular, especially during the wedding season.