“As the Head of Public Relations, my job is to present our hotel in a positive image as a way to increase PR for my hotel” – Salman Kabir, Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka
Photograph by Sakib Muhtasim
Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka has been a reigning name in the city’s hospitality industry. Salman Kabir, Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka discusses how the hotel still stands strong even after 35 years.
Every hotel thrives on a particular service that they cater to their guests. Which services (food, spa, gym, corporate events) do you think has given Pan Pacific Sonargaon immense popularity among local and international guests?
I believe that the one aspect which makes this hotel the first choice for guests is its ability to host grand corporate events. Be it a meeting of 50 people or a big convention or conference for 500 guests, clients can choose from our extensive selection of lavish indoor and outdoor venues which are primed for any occasion customised to the host’s need. The multiple banquet options under one roof have garnered massive popularity amongst both, the local and foreign guests alike. Our aim is to deliver seamless event management.
Aside from that, a majority share for that success goes to our sales and catering team. Our dedicated professionals are certified and trained to be creative and think for and on behalf of the meeting organisers to ensure their event is a successful one. Once guests have booked an event with us, we will do right by them to provide luxurious settings alongside exquisite menu options.
Pan Pacific Sonargaon has been in the hospitality management business for more than decades. How much has the PR strategies changed for the hotel after the rise of upscale hotels in Dhaka?
Over the last decade or so, there has been a string of new five star hotels coming into the city. The obvious strategy here would be to target several key media outlets. As the Head of Public Relations, my job is to present our hotel in a positive image as a way to increase PR for my hotel. Circulating new updates, posts and articles each week is a relatively convenient way to socialise with not only new, but our old loyal clients and business connections as well. But you also have to post fresh content and always keep your hotel promotions in the race with other competitors in the city. Overall, our goal is to come up with a schedule of topics geared to events on our annual calendar – seasonal festivals or holiday occasions or any relevant local key events hosted by the hotel. As a growing form of communication, online PR strategy today is a fast and effective way to reach our large guest base.
Apart from hospitality, hotels in Dhaka are known for events centred on business, lifestyle and recreation. What kind of events generate revenue for the hotel?
Ceremonial events such as weddings and the likes usually generate great revenue for the hotel. For years now, our hotel has housed several huge weddings and the reason for it being the fact that the name ‘Sonargaon’ is now a brand in itself. Our team of catering specialists is known for creating a spread for magnanimous weddings. From September to December, the wedding season is in full swing and that’s when we have the most traffic in the hotel, business wise.
In terms of administration, what global standards do you incorporate for Pan Pacific Sonargaon? To what extent has it been efficient in ensuring customer satisfaction?
The hotel is managed by the Pan Pacific Hotels Group, a leading hospitality brand in Asia and the Pacific Rim, situated in key cities of distinguished destinations offering upscale accommodations and services. In the context of Bangladesh, one must look into the prime factors that the guests consider while choosing a hotel to stay. We have found that the utmost requirement that foreign travellers base their decision to choose a hotel here in Dhaka is the safety and security standard of a hotel. And to ensure the highest customer satisfaction, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka implements the highest security standards. The level of surveillance in the hotel is quite extensive. The property has more than 100 surveillance cameras installed in and outside the building as an illustration of the importance we place on life and safety matters. Whether it’s a short or long-stay business trip, we ensure that our environment gives our guests the confidence that security is factored into their stay.