2024 | MAY ISSUE
ECO-FRIENDLY
4* Family Rooms at Castleknock Hotel
“My time spent working in Great Southern Hotel Dublin airport was challenging, it was something different, something new, but it was without doubt a valuable learning experience.” It is an optimal time to reinvent the industry and to not only make changes within our businesses but also to challenge these negative preconceptions.
THE CHANGING FACE OF HOSPITALITY An interview with Syed Rizvi
H
ospitality is an industry which is changing and evolving and there are now many path breaking opportunities within the industry. The positive development of the industry is ongoing, even in the face of adversity.
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MAY ISSUE | 2024
SYED RIZVI
HOTEL & RESTAURANT TIMES
We are all acutely aware of the staff shortage crisis experienced within the industry for the last number of years. There has been a significant decline in the numbers of students embarking on a career in hospitality.
This is due to long standing preconceptions around harsh work environments, long unsociable work hours and poor pay conditions. We understand these issues, and many are adopting a solution-based approach to the recruitment and retention of staff. WWW.HOTELANDRESTAURANTTIMES.IE
I recently met with Syed Rizvi, who has recently been promoted to General Manager at Castleknock Hotel, which is part of the FBD Hotels & Resorts. He shares with me his inspirational story, of how he came from Karachi in Pakistan to Ireland as a young man to study hotel management and is now the general manager of the prestigious and premium ‘Castleknock Hotel’. He talked me through his employment history and career progression highlighting valuable learning curves experiences. We also discussed the concept of work/ life balance and the importance of having a solid and accessible support system for our employees.
Modules include business management, languages, commerce, and employment law. Connections were made and opportunities were seized from his time spent at college.
The Professional Journey
Syed was fortunate to get placement at the Nuremore Hotel a well-established, award-winning hotel in the picturesque countryside in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan as part of his work placement during his second and fourth year with the college. This experience lay the foundations for rest of his professional journey as his employers became mentors, teaching him valuable lessons of the business and offered Syed a taste of all aspects of hotel management, from weddings, corporate events and golf links and other amenities. After completing college Syed then worked at this hotel for over 8 years, in the role of assistant manager. He shares that he thoroughly enjoyed his time spent here and was a proud to be part of the hotel and team of staff. 22 Bar & Restaurant at Castleknock Hotel
From Pakistan to Ireland Syed is an alumnus of Shannon College of Hotel Management. His father noticed an advertisement in a Pakistani newspaper for the college and encouraged his 20-year-old son to travel aboard to study. Syed graduated in 1997 after four years of study, intensive practical training, and placement in the UK. To this day, Shannon remains a highly reputable institute of education, where students can obtain undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. WWW.HOTELANDRESTAURANTTIMES.IE
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