Jordy Tousain Reveals Commercial Strategies of Maritim Hotel Amsterdam
Meet Jordy Tousain, the driving force behind the commercial strategies of the soon-to-open Maritim Hotel Amsterdam, scheduled for the summer of 2024. Describing himself in a way that speaks to his dynamic and dedicated personality, Jordy is known as an enthusiastic, passionate, reliable, and results-oriented commercial leader. We delve into his career story, uncover the sources of his inspiration, and shine a light on the ambitions and strategic visions he has for Maritim Hotel Amsterdam.
First steps in hospitality
My fascination with hospitality began early on, inspired by visits to the Canary Islands, where I was captivated by the dynamics behind the bar. These experiences led me to the Hotel School in Maastricht, where I began to realize my dream. I took my first practical step in hospitality at Restaurant Smouzen at the age of 15 or 16. The work gave me a unique sense of community and joy, where the friendships and the conviviality of working together in hospitality further deepened my passion for this profession.
Challenges in hospitality
Fresh out of hotel school, I started at Hotel Villa Ruimzicht in Doetinchem as a host in food & beverage. This was a big leap for me, especially since I was moving from working in a nightclub to fine dining. This new job came with many different tasks, from organizing large events like weddings to serving on a terrace. Learning about all the different types of dishes and wines, and remembering them, was a big challenge. All this taught me a lot and made me even more enthusiastic about working in hospitality.
Important lessons
As a restaurant host, I learned how crucial it is to provide every guest with an unforgettable experience. The most important thing was making guests feel welcomed and cared for as soon as they arrived. With a warm greeting and small attentions, we showed that we understood their needs and could cater to what they required. This experience significantly improved my people skills.
Key mentors on the path to success
At the start of my career in hospitality at Hilton Hotels, I met Caroline Receveur, a mentor who was crucial to my growth. She guided me towards commercial responsibilities at Maritim Hotel Amsterdam, and together we achieved a successful pre-opening. Also, my manager at Hilton, Selina van Kommer, holds a special place in my career; she provided me with growth opportunities and became a good friend. These relationships have given me valuable insights into leadership and team management, essential for my professional development.
Passion and eagerness to learn
Success in hospitality doesn’t start with specific skills but with a deep passion for the industry. This passion inspires you to be motivated every day and enjoy your work. It’s about the willingness to learn, develop yourself, and be open to new experiences. These qualities ensure you can grow and excel in hospitality, regardless of your starting level.
Change and innovation in hospitality
In recent years, the hospitality industry has undergone rapid changes, especially due to technological advancement and the push for innovation. These changes have made our work processes more efficient and enabled us to offer guests unique experiences. Maritim Hotel Amsterdam is capitalizing on this by investing in technology and training for staff, such as advanced booking systems and mobile apps. A notable trend is the growing ambition among hospitality workers to constantly improve and innovate. This has led to a culture where learning and adapting are crucial to stay ahead and provide guests with the best possible service. It has become essential to be open to new ideas and continue innovating in an ever-changing hospitality world.
Learning moments in hospitality
Things sometimes go wrong in hospitality, but you learn from that. For example, a booking for a large dinner on the wrong day was a significant challenge. Fortunately, we solved it without the guest noticing, but it taught us the importance of accuracy and teamwork. Another time, I accidentally gave incorrect information about a wine pairing. This made me realize how crucial it is to double-check and be accurate. It’s about how you handle these mistakes and learn from them to prevent future misunderstandings.
Advice for a successful career in hospitality
To be successful in hospitality, it's important to be curious and always willing to learn. Love your work and strive to continually improve. Show that you want to do more and build a network in hospitality. Work hard and make sure you are happy to go to work. To excel in what I do, I must always be aware of the latest trends in hospitality. It's important to keep learning so you stay ahead. We always try to improve our way of working to better serve guests. This means sometimes revisiting old ways of doing things, such as how guests check in, and coming up with new ideas to make queues disappear during busy times.
Ambitions and challenges
With the opening of the new Maritim Hotel Amsterdam, we aim to become the best employer in Amsterdam, creating a work environment where everyone is happy to go to work. Our goal is to make the hotel a great success, both commercially and as a place where employees are proud to be part of. As the commercial head, my focus is on maximizing revenue, which is essential for the hotel's success. At the same time, it's crucial to develop a culture where employees feel valued and look forward to coming to work. Successfully navigating these challenges and realizing our ambitions for Maritim Hotel Amsterdam is what we ultimately aim to achieve.
Pride in upcoming project at Maritim Hotel Amsterdam
My greatest pride in my career is yet to come. The upcoming pre-opening of Maritim Hotel Amsterdam will be a milestone that I will be immensely proud of. It's an honor to be part of such an important project at my age, working together with a diverse team of young enthusiasts to experienced professionals. The unity, collective effort, and ambition of our team give me deep satisfaction. I am honored to contribute to this and help realize the success of the hotel.
An unforgettable hospitality memory
One of my most memorable moments in hospitality was when we unexpectedly dealt with a blocked access road just as we were expecting a large group of 450 guests. With about 20 colleagues, all dressed in our neat jackets, we quickly devised a plan. We escorted the guests from the bus parking lot, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, in an improvised parade to the entrance. Despite their initial disappointment, we managed to turn the situation into a positive experience through our creative and collective approach. This incident highlighted the importance of teamwork, creativity, and the ability to quickly devise solutions in unexpected situations, making hospitality so unique and fulfilling.
Are you interested in a challenging career at one of Amsterdam's leading hotels? Explore the career opportunities at Maritim Hotel Amsterdam and contribute to a unique story.
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