Christian Sack took over operational management at the Bürgenstock Resort at the beginning of January.
What advice do you give young, aspiring hoteliers and hoteliers?
Young hoteliers and hoteliers should take on the role of host early on and practice this profession with a lot of passion and enthusiasm. Of course, it is also an advantage to gain experience on other continents and in other countries.
What would you like for Swiss tourism?
I hope that the governments’ corona vaccination plans will be resolutely implemented so that people can travel across borders again.
Christian Sack has gained a lot of experience in the international luxury hotel industry and has worked for brands such as Raffles, Shangri-La and Ritz-Carlton. His professional positions have taken him to Tokyo, Sydney, London, St. Petersburg, Manila, Shanghai, Siem Reap and Doha. The 50-year-old is an Austrian citizen and studied hotel management in Vienna.
What do you dislike about your industry?
I don’t particularly value arrogance and self-expression. Hospitality and warmth for the guest must always be the focus.
What is so fascinating about your job?
Our industry is the essence of the people business. It is a privilege to accommodate people from all over the world and from a wide variety of cultures and it fascinates me every day. Making a guest happy is the greatest recognition in our business.
What does an attractive workplace look like for you?
Ultimately, interpersonal relationships decide whether a job is attractive. Company values such as trust, integrity, openness and passion make a job attractive. Top motivated employees who are promoted are our greatest asset.
How do you inspire employees for and in your company?
I always ask my employees to think big. First we have to dream and come up with crazy ideas. Whether these are feasible can be evaluated early enough. Leaders need to lead by example and live the values outlined above.
How do you ensure a work-life balance?
Hiking in nature with my wife, playing tennis and having a good glass of wine with friends and family. I don’t have to travel far to do this, I can find all of this on the Bürgenberg.
What would you choose – and why: punk music in a 5-star hotel or waltzes in a youth hostel?
As a Viennese, of course, I choose the waltz.
Which is more true and why: an orgiastic banquet like at Asterix or healthy carrots like the one Bugs Bunny nibbles on?
Asterix: Every now and then you can go overboard.
Which hotel inspires you and why?
The Raffles Hotel in Singapore with its great service and the unique history of the hotel.
What do you do first when you enter a hotel room as a guest?
The first thing I do is enjoy the view. You can imagine that during my first stay at the Bürgenstock Resort I could hardly get enough of it.
Who famous person would you like to have dinner with?
With the Swiss national hero Roger Federer.
What special skill would you like to master – and why?
I would love to be a better tennis player to get off the pitch in a match with Roger Federer.
Which song can you hear in the continuous loop? And why?
«Wiener Blut» by Johann Strauss. A classic in music history – to bring back memories of a Vienna Opera Ball that I was allowed to attend many years ago. (above)
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