Armando Waser has been appointed as the new General Manager of the premium-segment hotel, Le Méridien Batumi. With a Swiss educational background and extensive international experience, Mr. Waser aims to steer the hotel into a new stage of development and strengthen its position within the region. His strategic priorities include deepening partnerships with local stakeholders, fostering a corporate culture built on trust, and diversifying services centered around the "Art of Travel" concept.

Business Insider Georgia spoke with the General Manager of Le Méridien Batumi regarding the details.

You have already taken up your role at Le Méridien. How easy was it for you to accept this offer, and with what plans and expectations did you step into the position of General Manager of one of Batumi’s leading hotels? What will be your first three priorities as General Manager?

I had Georgia in my mind for a long time. Back in the days I used to work for 4 years in Baku and visited Georgia frequently. I was impressed by its people, its culture and of course, its food. When the opportunity arose, I did not hesitate much.

My expectation is to be the leading hotel in Georgia and the preferred destination for people wanting to savor the good life.

My priorities at the beginning lay on connecting with the local stakeholders, meeting with our regular partners, and establishing a culture of trust.

Please tell us about your experience in the hospitality industry. What has been the most memorable moment of your career journey prior to arriving in Batumi?

I studied Hotel Management at SHL in my home country Switzerland and then started working internationally mainly with American hotel companies. My path brought me through the Caribbean, Portugal, Azerbaijan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain and most recently Venice, Italy.

There have been many memorable moments involving heads of state, music stars, and other celebrities. However, I consider discretion as one of my most important values and therefore would not want to share details publicly.

What makes the difference are often the very small authentic meaningful gestures - those remain in memory.

Are you planning to introduce any new services or innovations at the hotel?

We want to further live the art of travel and the joy of living (joie de vivre). This is what Le Méridien stands for.

We have just started a collaboration with an art gallery in our lobby and are looking to prepare events such as Wine&Dine, Wine&Art or Tasting Classes.

What was your first impression of Batumi? How would you describe the city in three words, and what did you like most upon your arrival?

I visited Batumi back in 2010 when no such skyline existed. Returning to see the Boulevard glowing at night, framed by a dramatically transformed cityscape was nothing but breathtaking.

It has this mix between old-world charm and futuristic flair.

Batumi is vibrant, coastal and booming!

What are you most looking forward to when it comes to Georgian culture and hospitality?

The Supra dining culture with the shared national specialties, toasts of the Tamada and the wide variety of Georgian wines.

Stumari - A guest is a gift from God, isn’t it?

Le Méridien is known for its French aesthetic and the ,,Savor the good life” concept. How do you plan to blend this European elegance with authentic Adjara traditions?

At La Brasserie restaurant you savor the French Finesse or the traditional Adjarian Khachapuri, celebrating both classic European elegance and authentic Georgian flavors.

The wine menu thoughtfully pairs European highlights with local Georgian gems.

I strongly recommend our signature best-in-class Entrecôte Café de Paris by the way.

But the experience doesn’t end at the table. Our Chic hosts provide complimentary museum tickets for our in-house guests inviting them to explore the rich Adjarian culture.

In your opinion, what is the key element that distinguishes Le Méridien Batumi from other five-star hotels in the region?

It is the blend of culture, design, cuisine, and location.

Apart from being in a seaside prime location in the iconic Batumi tower, we have the biggest guest rooms with stunning Old Batumi and Black Sea view.

The intimate hotel size creates the perfect setting for highly personalized service with genuine attention to detail.

So, you feel both - Cosmopolitan and Local.