Page 51 - Special Issue QTM 2021

Paloma Martinez

(General Manager – InterContinental Madrid):

“ As part of Katara Hospitality’s portfolio we have clear strategy of growth in the
luxury hospitality segment in Spain where tourism is the number one industry ”

Paloma Martinez is the General Manager of InterContinental Madrid. She over-
sees all aspects of hotel operations, provide the vision, leadership, and strategy
to inspire the team to deliver exceptional service and drive financial success, as well
as enabling innovation taking care of sustainability and drive results. Martinez was
among the prominent people who participated at the Qatar Travel Mart in its first
edition. In a Q & A on the sidelines of the event, Al Bayan Magazine met her and
conducted the following interview.

* How do you evaluate the tourism trict of the city and since then it has

sector in Spain during 2021? become the headquarters of most

- Tourism in Spain is the number one embassies and large international
industry; it is the country within Europe companies. We have 302 rooms
that is more dependent on tourism. and 17 meeting rooms. We are cur-
Directly it generates 15 percent of the rently planning an exciting refurbish-
GDP in Spain but indirectly 25 percent, ment of the property which will con-
so our country depends very much on solidate the hotel’s positioning
tourism and it has been very difficult amongst the top tiers of the city.

because the government mandated the * How do you evaluate the QTM in

hotels closed. For many months the its first edition?

hotels have been closed and then - It is a magnificent idea that Qatar * What is the importance of being under
although we were allowed to open, has decided to go for this type of the umbrella of Katara Hospitality?
there was no business coming in so event. For sure at the beginning, it is a - Katara Hospitality is a very strong
many of us decided not to reopen. Now lot of work and the first edition is always company that has a very clear strategy
we are being very positive, and this is difficult because you have to position of growth within the luxury hospitality
starting to pick up although slowly but it the event internationally but I think it is niche. Katara is not in the business to
is going better than we expected it. It is a wonderful idea and it will allow the buy and sell assets but it is in the busi-
a very positive outlook. destination of Qatar more accessible to ness of true hospitality and that is a
other countries so I can only see posi- strong plus. I think that the different
hotels who are part of Katara Hospitality
* Can you give us an idea about The tive in the future of this event. have a very strong sense of what the
business is about and that is the why it
“InterContinental Madrid? Katara Hospitality is not in is an honor to be under the umbrella of
the business to buy and sell Katara.
- The InterContinental Madrid hotel is a assets but it is in the busi-
cosmopolitan retreat that opens up the * What will be your strategy for
real charm and passion of this vibrant ”ness of true hospitality 2022?
- We see a very strong focus for
city. A sense of occasion takes over the the first months in the
minute you step into our marble-lined European market which is
the region that is being
lobby, where a sumptuous brunch is more active in the short
term. However, as soon as
served on Sundays. Fine dining, we enter the second part of
2022, we can go back to our
award-winning business facilities usual world-wide commercial
focus, including of course Qatar,
and a 24-hour gym make the as well as other strong international

hotel a destination in itself. markets.

The city’s high-end fashion

boutiques are a short dis-

tance from the hotel, as are

Madrid’s world-class muse-

ums. Established in 1953, it

was the first and only inter-

national hotel in Spain. Up until

then there were only independent

hotels but never with an international

brand. It is located in the business dis-

51 AL BAYAN ECONOMIC MAG - ISSUE 603 - FEBRUARY 2022