Your definition of hospitality?
Good hospitality is like a great big hug – genuine, warm and effortless.
What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability is taking only what you need, letting it replenish so it keeps producing and then take again without depleting it completely. We all have a responsibility through our everyday lives to make small changes to help create and maintain an environment that can live on for generations.
Team or staff, and why?
Always team – they are the engine, the inspiration and motivation to everything we do.
Where do you see hospitality’s priorities?
In our people – we have a huge challenge ahead to reposition hospitality as a vibrant and progressive industry which supports, recognises and promotes clear career paths. Investment into people’s development, ensuring fair pay, reward and recognition are absolute priorities for me.
Is hospitality local or global?
I have to say global as hospitality touches us all no matter where you are in the world or what language you speak. But we all have a responsibility to support local, especially now as we rebuild our wonderful industry.
What’s best about your weekend?
Sleep, and spending quality time with my husband and friends.
I relax by…
Eating out, seeing friends and when I can, go on holiday. I love a holiday.
Eat out or eat in?
Absolutely eat out – I’m a pretty boring cook so I love to eat out, discover new restaurants and let the experts do their thing. Plus, it’s important to support our industry right now.
Tea or coffee?
Both
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise our readers…
I lived in Hong Kong for 2 years at the age of 16 which sparked my passion for food and travel. In 2011 I quit my job as a General Manager and with my boyfriend (now husband) bought a one-way ticket to China. We spent 9 months travelling through Southeast Asia followed by a further 6 months travelling through South America until the money finally ran out and we had to come home. So far, I have visited over 55 countries which sounds a lot but is only 28% of all the countries in the world! This year I am adding Switzerland and hopefully Costa Rica to the list.
Katy Thompson, Managing Director Venues by CH&CO
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