HAVING BEEN WITH RAFFLES İSTANBUL SINCE ITS PRE-OPENING, HOW HAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ITS EVOLUTION SHAPED YOUR APPROACH AS GENERAL MANAGER?
Being part of Raffles İstanbul from its very first day has been an extraordinary journey. I’ve witnessed first-hand how the hotel has grown from a new opening into an established icon of luxury in the city. This continuity gave me a deep understanding of our strengths, our challenges, and, most importantly, the DNA of our brand. As General Manager, this perspective allows me to make decisions not only with today in mind but also with a long-term view of where we want to position Raffles İstanbul for the next decade. At the same time, I’ve seen how the definition of luxury itself has evolved over the years-today’s travelers are not only looking for comfort and elegance, but also for authenticity, personalization, and meaningful connections. Keeping pace with these shifting expectations, while staying true to our timeless Raffles philosophy, is what enables us to remain consistently at the forefront of global hospitality.
AS THE FIRST TURKISH NATIONAL GENERAL MANAGER, WHAT DOES THIS ACHIEVEMENT MEAN TO YOU, AND HOW WILL IT IMPACT THE HOTEL’S CONNECTION WITH LOCAL CULTURE AND TALENT?
It is both an honor and a responsibility. Representing Raffles İstanbul as the first Turkish General Manager means I can act as a cultural bridge-celebrating our global standards while deepening our connection to İstanbul’s heritage and people. For me, it’s about inspiring young Turkish hoteliers to believe that they can thrive in international luxury hospitality. I see it as my mission to invest in local talent, nurture them, and ensure that our team reflects the warmth and generosity that Turkish culture is renowned for. At the same time, having worked alongside leaders from many different countries over the past decade has given me a broad perspective on diverse leadership styles and best practices. Combining those insights with my understanding of the strengths of our local workforce creates a powerful synergy-one that elevates both our team culture and the guest experience.
GIVEN YOUR REPUTATION FOR STRATEGIC AND COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP, HOW DO THESE QUALITIES FOSTER TEAM COHESION AND INNOVATION IN LUXURY HOSPITALITY?
Luxury hospitality thrives on teamwork and consistency. My leadership philosophy is based on clarity of vision, shared ownership, and open communication. By involving my team in decision- making and giving them space to innovate, we build trust and cohesion. At the same time, strategy is about setting ambitious yet achievable goals and aligning everyone behind them. When people feel part of the bigger picture, they naturally bring forward creative solutions that elevate the guest experience. For instance, we created dedicated innovation and sustainability teams within the hotel- cross-departmental groups empowered to reimagine processes, introduce creative guest experiences, and drive greener operations. These initiatives not only produced tangible results, such as waste reduction and new service concepts, but also reinforced a culture where every colleague feels they have a voice and a stake in our success. My role is to provide the vision and the framework, but their passion and creativity are what make the difference in our achievements.
OVER YOUR DECADE AT RAFFLES İSTANBUL, WHAT WERE SOME KEY STRATEGIC MARKETING OR BRAND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES YOU SPEARHEADED?
Over the past decade at Raffles İstanbul, we have dedicated ourselves to building a brand that resonates both locally and internationally. Celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2024 was a milestone that allowed us to reflect on our journey and set the stage for our second decade. In this new chapter, we have introduced innovative ways to express Raffles’ global identity while staying deeply connected to İstanbul’s vibrant culture and energy. Our marketing and brand initiatives have focused on creating meaningful experiences that go beyond traditional communication-through collaborations, events, and digital storytelling, we aim to bring the city’s life into the hotel and the hotel’s legacy into the city. By blending global perspective with local insight, we have strengthened Raffles İstanbul’s position not just as a hotel, but as a hub of memorable moments, recognized internationally and experienced personally by every guest who walks through our doors.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RAFFLES İSTANBUL IN THE COMING YEARS, ESPECIALLY REGARDING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND DISTRIBUTION?
The biggest challenge-and opportunity-lies in adapting to rapidly evolving guest expectations. Digitalization is no longer optional; it must enhance the guest journey without compromising the human touch that defines luxury. For us, this means investing in smarter distribution channels, using data more effectively, and ensuring personalization at every stage of the guest lifecycle. At the same time, İstanbul itself is going through a renaissance as a travel destination, which offers us tremendous opportunities to capture new markets and create unique experiences. Technology is a vital tool to make services faster, more seamless, and more accessible in real time. Yet, luxury hospitality can never remove the human element from the equation-guests still expect warmth, empathy, and genuine connection, and no digital solution can replace that. The key is to harmonize both. For the new generation of travelers, technology is not just expected but celebrated, and equally, for the new generation of hoteliers, it is a source of motivation and engagement. That’s why one of my priorities is to nurture future leaders who embrace innovation, while never losing sight of the timeless art of service that defines Raffles.
RAFFLES IS KNOWN FOR GUEST EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE. CAN YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW YOUR VISION HAS DIRECTLY ENHANCED THE GUEST JOURNEY?
For me, guest experience is never a collection of isolated moments-it is a complete story, thoughtfully crafted for every individual. Whether welcoming a family, a honeymoon couple, or a business traveler, we ensure each journey is shaped around their unique needs and expectations. What truly sets Raffles İstanbul apart are the details that go beyond standard gestures: minibars inspired by Turkish heritage, children’s amenities that anticipate every need, and subtle touches that make each stay unforgettable. Sustainability is also woven into this story. Even small initiatives, such as transforming unused linens into pajamas, may not transform the world in an instant, but they reflect a genuine commitment-something our guests notice and deeply appreciate.My vision is to remain personally engaged in every touchpoint while empowering our team to take ownership and bring their creativity to life. It is their passion and attention to detail that turn each element into a seamless, meaningful journey. Ultimately, a stay at Raffles İstanbul is more than just a visit-it becomes a story our guests carry with them long after they leave.
WHAT ARE YOUR PRIMARY GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS FOR RAFFLES İSTANBUL UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP? ARE THERE ANY NEW INITIATIVES YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT?
My goal is to secure Raffles İstanbul’s place among the world’s top 20 hotels consistently, not just occasionally. To achieve this, we are focusing on three areas: elevating service standards even further, enhancing our F&B offerings to reflect both innovation and authenticity, and continuing to strengthen our connection with the local community. Of course, being recognized among the top 20 is highly motivating, but my foremost priority is that whenever people hear the name Raffles İstanbul, they immediately associate it with delivering the best service without question. Awards and rankings are the external reflection of this, but the most tangible proof is our returning guests-and here we are proud to excel. The key is to never stay static; each time a guest comes back, they should find new touches and fresh experiences that elevate their journey even further. That continuous renewal, combined with our timeless service philosophy, is what keeps us truly ahead.
RAFFLES İSTANBUL WAS NAMED “BEST CITY HOTEL IN EUROPE AND İSTANBUL” BY TRAVEL + LEISURE. WHAT DOES THIS RECOGNITION MEAN TO YOUR TEAM, AND WHAT SETS THE HOTEL APART?
This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of our team. It tells us that what we do every day-welcoming each guest as if they were the only guest-truly makes an impact. What sets Raffles İstanbul apart is the unique blend of heritage and modernity: the timeless Raffles service philosophy combined with the vibrancy, creativity, and soul of İstanbul. Of course, our hotel is physically stunning, but being named the best city hotel in Europe cannot be achieved through facilities alone-it is only possible with an extraordinary team. I am fortunate to work with colleagues who have made this possible. This award doesn’t just crown the hotel; it elevates them as Europe’s finest hoteliers. They carry this title with pride, but also with the awareness that it brings an extra layer of responsibility-like a star on their shoulders that inspires them to keep reaching higher.
