Reasons for Seasons

SHANGHAI: Like most hoteliers, Peter Weber used to move from city to city around the world, with each job lasting no more than three years.

But that has changed since he became general manager of the then newly opened Four Seasons Shanghai six years ago.

"Shanghai is such a growing city and there is still a lot to achieve," says Weber, at a top-floor cafe of his hotel, pointing at the fast changing skyline in the distance.

The Swiss national feels happy that his employees have made huge progress over the years, from raising the English language level, understanding the needs of international travelers to responding to needs proactively.

To him, the biggest assets of the hotel are its employees.

"That's the nicest thing and that makes you proud to see your employees grow," he says.

Weber no longer has to worry while being away from the hotel, since his colleagues know exactly what guests expect from a Four Seasons hotel.

He talks with pride of some local employees who, after working at Four Seasons Shanghai for years are assuming important roles in sister hotels in Hong Kong, Macao, Bali and the Maldives.

While many hoteliers in China are struggling to retain their staff, Weber believes that you almost have to encourage them to move on if the hotel cannot provide them with the opportunities they want. But he says Four Seasons still keeps in touch with the senior managers who have left.

"Maybe they will return some day and you can't be too selfish," he says.

Joining the hospitality industry 30 years ago, Weber is a loyalist. He has been working for the Four Seasons for more than 20 years.

"You stay loyal, they'll take care of you. Four Seasons has helped me grow over the years," Weber says.

Apart from being the hotel general manager, the 49-year-old has added a new title as regional vice-president of Four Seasons, which is expanding rapidly on the mainland.

Just next to the 101-story Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong, Four Seasons is opening another hotel at the end of next year.

Also later next year, Four Seasons will open one hotel in Beijing and one in the scenic city of Hangzhou, featuring traditional architecture near the West Lake.

Another three Four Seasons projects are also getting under way in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hainan, according to Weber, who still concentrates on Shanghai but has to oversee other projects as well.

Weber, whose first job was in Shanghai in 1987 working for the Regent International Hotels office, says the city's hospitality industry, from hotels, taxi services to airports and immigration services, has made great progress.

Shanghai is certainly getting to the international level of the hospitality industry. "If you look at 10 years ago, there were no hotels in Shanghai and Beijing rated at the top of the world, but nowadays the top 100 hotels selected by any international publication would have some hotels from Shanghai and Beijing," he says.

Despite the progress, Weber believes the road to perfection is always under construction.

"We still have a long way to go if you look at the best of the best, such as Hong Kong for a good reputation, Bangkok for friendliness and Singapore for efficiency.

"We still can do a lot more if you want to put all these (strengths) together," Weber says.

Indeed, Weber is concerned about a glut of hotels in Shanghai but he hopes the Shanghai Expo in 2010 will help turn the tide.

He firmly believes the strength of his hotel in the competitive market is service. "It's about knowing our guests, to have return guests, and to give them a home away from home," he says.

Weber feels fortunate that his family - Canadian wife and two teenage daughters - all enjoy Shanghai.

He tries to keep them company on weekends - doing barbecues in the backyard and drinking beer.

But on some winter weekends, he joins an international group to play ice hockey in a rink transformed from a swimming pool, however Weber says he's glad to learn that Shanghai is going to build a real ice hockey rink.

(China Daily 09/08/2008 page6)