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Heinz Egli, general manager of the new Novotel at Mumbai learns the sitar in his free time and says he wouldn’t want to trade places to work anywhere else in the world

What are your main responsibilities in your role as general manager of the Novotel Mumbai?

My core responsibilities include introducing Novotel standards to this new flagship property and make the hotel profitable and ensure smooth running to the satisfaction of all stake holders which includes owners, management as well as employees.

What qualities do you have that make you the right choice for this role?

I have 30 years experience in Asia, enormous background in the food and beverages space and a complete hands-on experience of opening new hotels. Besides I have worked with Novotels before. All of this sums up to the fact that the role suits my interest as well as the hotel.

What is the most challenging part of your job?  What are the challenges a new hotel brand faces in India?

The biggest challenge that I am facing currently is re- branding an iconic property in Mumbai and introducing the Novotel brand at the same time. In this scenario of economical downturn it is very important to plan a launch carefully.

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You’ve worked in the F&B department in Hong Kong. Is working in India very different from working in Hong Kong? What differences do you personally face?

Obviously in Hong Kong, since it is one of the most efficient places on the globe, things would be different. However, I do have the experience of opening properties and launched the first International Hotel in China back in the 1980 and gained a lot of experience since.

I have opened hotels in Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam etc., adding all this together, India will not be much different.

What do you enjoy about working in this industry? 

The most interesting part of this industry is the dynamic life. No day the same as the other.

What has been the most unusual or strangest experience of your career so far?  

I could write a book on this.

If you could work in any country and in any property in the world, where would it be?  

Honestly - nowhere else.

Away from your work, what do you do to relax?

I play guitar in a rock n roll band and I am now learning to play the sitar. I also run marathons.