Name: Seema Pande
Title: Group director of sales and marketing
Company, city: Emaar Hospitality Group, Dubai
Number of employees: 80-plus on the sales and marketing team
Recent project: Opening our new hotel — Manzil Downtown Dubai in December 2014, a modern boutique hotel brand that celebrates authentic Arabesque design aesthetics and culinary flavors
First job: Front office assistant, Crowne Plaza, New Delhi
Little-known fact about you: I like to spend time on my own — not generally obvious, given my personality.

Your Business

Essential business philosophy: Don’t fix something that is not broken.

Best way to keep a competitive edge: Embrace change as long as it makes sense. Listen to the young team members; they have amazing ideas.

Yardstick of success: Happiness and satisfaction in a job done well

Seema Pande as a Traveler

What is the most important item you take when traveling? A hair dryer (provided my iPad and mobile are already in the bag)

How do you spend your time on board? Catching up on movies and reading

What is your favorite restaurant in the world? A small restaurant in Berlin with the most amazing Italian food

What is your favorite destination in the world? Italy

About Emaar Hospitality Group

The Address Hotels + Resorts celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2014; what is the philosophy behind the brand’s success, and what makes it stand out from other luxury brands in the region?
The Address Hotels + Resorts is the 5-star premium hotel brand by Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure subsidiary of global property developer Emaar Properties PJSC, with a growing portfolio in Dubai, Egypt, Turkey and Kenya. The brand differentials we brought to Dubai five years ago helped us establish a clear niche in the industry that now also lends momentum to our global expansion. We differentiate ourselves from others through our unique positioning of “where life happens.” This means a concerted focus on providing a more personal and approachable experience to guests, whether business, leisure or group travelers, in a vibrant lifestyle environment.

What unique amenities do you offer business and leisure travelers?
The high point of The Address properties is the emphasis on providing guests with tangible benefits and ensuring the highest standards in service, which have now set industry benchmarks. This is highlighted by the number of international accolades we have won within a short span. Diverse on-site food and beverage options, premier health and wellness facilities and iconic attractions in close proximity enhance the overall experience, differentiating us from our competitors.

Please share any news on hotel openings with our readers.
A key international project is The Address Residence Istanbul, a premium collection of 5-star serviced residences, a part of the Emaar Square integrated community in Turkey. This marks the first full-fledged hotel and serviced residence project of The Address Hotels + Resorts in an international market.