Interview: Talar Sabbatucci on how she increased bookings by 200%

Interview: Talar Sabbatucci on how she increased bookings by 200%

Palazzo Versace’s spa and recreation manager gains customer loyalty through personalised marketing

Holistic wellness has always been a passion for Talar Sabbatucci. She was fascinated with the process of treating the whole mind, body and spirit, and gaining an understanding of how they all work together in the human body. After obtaining a master’s degree in nutrition, Sabbatucci joined the team at Espa in Beirut in a five-star hotel as a nutritionist and dietician and that was the start of her hospitality career.

Connecting Travel: What’s on offer at the Palazzo Versace spa?
Talar Sabbatucci: Palazzo Versace’s Spa includes bespoke treatments for ladies and gents, as well as plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas. It has an outstanding selection of treatments using high-end luxury brands across the world. Treatments include result-driven facials, holistic massages and energising body treatments curated to deliver a relaxing wellness experience for guests, as well as a highly qualified team available to provide their expertise.

CT: Are there any new treatments in the pipeline?
TS: 
We are introducing a very exciting and refreshing treatment for the summer in partnership with Aromatherapy Associates. The treatment is called Cryo Summer Revive and is a 90-minute energising ritual that brightens and refines the skin, prepping the body to beat the summer heat.

CT: Do guests request more natural or science-based treatments?
TS:
Both natural and science-based treatments are offered at the spa as we try to cater to all preferences and interests among our guests. In terms of science-based treatments, we have introduced the IV bar at Palazzo Versace, which leaves guests refreshed and replenished. The treatment is formulated to boost your overall wellbeing with carefully formulated vitamin blends, minerals, and amino acids that supply all nutrients needed directly into your bloodstream. On the other hand, we also offer natural treatments one of which is the Asleep Treatment, an extraordinary blend of essential oils. All treatments at Palazzo Versace aim to drive our guests to a blissful state.

CT: What’s your strategy for increasing bookings?
TS:
Working closely with a PR agency and a marketing team are key strategies we implement to run a luxurious hotel successfully. This leads to generating visibility in the hospitality industry in terms of promotions and media presence, as Dubai is a fast-growing city and is bursting with news about new restaurant and hotel launches. Most importantly, creating guest personas to tailor marketing efforts accordingly. For instance, regularly creating new tempting and unique treatments that create loyal customers to continuously explore the Spa at Palazzo Versace.

We drive and implement in-house and outside guest plans to increase our footfall, which has increased tremendously over the past two years by more than 200% even compared to pre-Covid numbers

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CT: What’s the split of clientele between hotel guests and residents?
TS:
Currently, approximately 70% of our guests are residents, which is something we are very happy about and it has increased post-Covid with the strategies we have implemented.

CT: What are the current trends in the spa industry?
TS:
More than just aesthetics, we’re finding that our guests are seeking to improve their overall health, wellness and quality of life. To achieve and maintain this, we’ve introduced longer spa treatments that allow our guests to truly switch off and calm their minds, as well as wellness experiences ranging from preventive, non-invasive medical procedures that would boost confidence to immunity boosting treatments.

For more information, visit www.palazzoversace.ae

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