An Interview With Mansi Vagt, Global Brand Leader Of Fairmont

Mansi Vagt, International Model Chief & Vice President, Fairmont was in London just lately to launch a brand new guide, Fairmont, Grand by Nature.

Sarah Turner: We have been by way of this era of big change, which has introduced each alternatives and challenges. What would you say have been the challenges?

Mansi Vagt: After an occasion that was as traumatic as this pandemic, we must be rather more empathetic to the best way individuals are on the lookout for stability of their lives, in order that we will retain expertise but in addition entice new expertise. That is each a problem and a possibility for us.

And alternatives? Earlier than individuals would fly throughout continents for a one hour assembly; that’s not going to occur once more. Nevertheless, the connection all of us want as human beings will proceed. We see a shift taking place in direction of longer size enterprise conferences, the place individuals actually need to invigorate their groups with workshops and conferences.

How would you see the evolution right here on the Savoy? Due to the guide, I’ve just lately been fascinated about what the fashionable traveler – particularly within the luxurious market – is on the lookout for immediately. It’s very totally different from the experiences individuals had been on the lookout for 10 years in the past, and in addition pre-pandemic. Nevertheless, having the ability to contact the previous, stroll into a bit of historical past; that’s by no means going to alter and it’s such an vital a part of the Fairmont model.

The guide, Fairmont, Grand By Nature is a celebration of Fairmont’s most historic manufacturers. Why did you resolve to create it?

As Cornelius Van Horn mentioned when the Canadian Pacific Railway was being constructed; you’ll be able to’t export the surroundings, so we will import the vacationers and he did so with properties just like the Banff Springs in 1888 and Chateau Frontenac. We needed to create a guide to rejoice the unimaginable properties we now have.

Chateau Montebello, which opened in 1930 in Quebec is likely one of the largest log cabins on this planet and is surrounded by extraordinary nature. It’s a model with a rare heritage. With our American origins as properly, we’re one of many two luxurious manufacturers that had feminine founders. Sisters Virginia and Theresa constructed the primary Fairmont Hotel at Nob Hill in San Francisco in 1907.

It was additionally an opportunity to doc all these unimaginable, historic and cultural moments which have occurred at Fairmont Motels, from the UN Constitution of Rights being drafted and signed at Fairmont San Francisco to John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-in for peace on the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal and Truman Capote’s Black and White ball on the Plaza in New York.

How do you suppose Fairmont’s Canadian heritage nonetheless informs the model?

When you go to Fairmont in Asia Pacific, you do not need to really feel such as you’re in Texas; we’re a model that really believes in being genuine so visitors can really feel the tradition of their vacation spot however we additionally need to have a heat, a way of neighborhood that feels to me to be fairly Canadian.

Fairmont has made important funding into branded residencies lately.

Our trajectory and development plan for residences is skyrocketing, from the Pink Sea undertaking in Saudi Arabia to residences to Phoenix and Vietnam. The expansion in residences are each about getting away from the cities and feeling a part of these stunning locations but in addition wanting that Fairmont degree of luxurious and repair. A luxurious lodge expertise that feels extra like house is one thing individuals are actually gravitating in direction of.