Antonio Gonzalez is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sunset Hospitality and has been a stalwart in the hospitality industry. Sunset Hospitality was established 10 years ago and have been growing from a small beginning here in Dubai to an international presence across 11 countries now and 30 outlets around the world.
Hotel & Catering News ME caught up with Antonio to discuss a variety of topics. Check out the full interview below:
- What makes Sunset Hospitality unique from other companies in the sector?
I think what makes us a bit unique is our approach to the business we are very focused on doing and creating an experience that means we go back to the true truth of hospitality which for us is the social element, getting people together and getting them to socialize and spend time with family and friends so that insight is something that we care deeply and all our business grows and evolves around that from the more casual restaurants to the beach club to the hotels everything that we do has that concept.
2. What are you looking forward to for Sunset Hospitality in the months ahead?
We have a few very busy months; we have a lot of openings coming here in Dubai but also internationally. Over the next 6 months some of the highlights will be Sushi Samba that will open in October on the palm on the 51st floor of the St Regis Hotel which is going to be an extraordinary location and just on the floor below will be opening AURA which will be the highest 360 pool in the world. In Dubai Harbor we will be opening L’AMO Bistro Del Mare, a fine dining Italian Seafood restaurant. We also have MOTT 32 and also around the wall is coming to the address JBR in December will be DREAM, which is one of our latest concepts like a show dinner concept and that’s only here in Dubai in the next few months. Internationally we have a massive pipeline in Saudi and Qatar and looking down the line for next year we’re going to continue our F&B expansion but we are making a big push for growing our hotel Business.
3. What will be the biggest challenge for your sector in the months ahead?
The Acquisition and retention of talent, this business is made up of different parts like your offering, your location and your pricing but the most important thing by far is your team. The Talent that works in our Business is the key Pillar of everything that we do so to be able to as we grow and almost double our business every year to keep on acquiring the right talent to bring to bring into the culture of the type of hospitality that we want to do is always a challenge and I think it’s one of toughest ones especially as we grow exponentially.
4. What do you think the hospitality industry will look like in five years?
I think Hospitality is going to rebound very strongly and I believe it’s already happening. The moment we allow clients to socialize, you’ll see an immediate need to travel, get together and celebrate. So I think we are going to see a rebound as soon as we get out of the pandemic… whether it’s going to take one month or one year, I don’t know but it will happen and this is a given and we’ve seen that over and over again as soon as the regulations ease, immediately you will have a pick up in the industry.
