Conquering Kazakhstan’s Hotel Industry: Aktoty Shurtabayeva’s Formula for Success

Through this delightful conversation, Aktoty Shurtabayeva, a noted expert in the hospitality sector, reviews her extraordinary odyssey with worldwide brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Sheraton. Her conversation is further reviewed in terms of the learnings and messages gathered after successfully starting three landmark hotels in Astana. 

She will also comment on the things the industry faced because of the pandemic, including sales management concepts, innovative sales management techniques, and her perspective on emerging trends. She shares valuable insights for young professionals entering the hotel industry. 

Beginning of Aktoty’s Career in this Field 

Her long journey in hospitality started quite accidentally back in 2009. As a student keen to improve her English skills, this desire took her directly into the hotel industry. She opted to start with the international hotel, Renaissance Atyrau, a Marriott property, at the reception desk. It was a starting position that was so satisfactory, giving her such important experience in talking to guests and listening to their needs. 

She became quickly convinced that the hotel industry was not just a source for temporary income but rather an ocean of great possibilities. She loved how dynamic the industry was, how alive it always felt, and the daily challenges it threw at you. Then she moved on to the sales and marketing department so that she could have some taste of another side of the business. 

She became interested in how hotels operate, how they attract guests, and how they develop their brand. Her intentional hotel career started then, and this cemented her wish to develop herself in the industry further.

Skills and Opinions That Helped Her Grow in Career

Promotions in the front office motivated her to further her career. While several factors contributed to her advancement, her ambition for professional development stood foremost. She was always seeking learning and growth opportunities, willing to acquire new skills and put her knowledge to practical use. She was also keenly aware of her responsibilities to her colleagues, whom she was always willing to help, and to the outcome. 

Stress management was also something she valued greatly, due to, in her words, the complicated nature of the hotel industry, with all its presented challenges, yet she was able to remain calm to find solutions in tense moments while maintaining her focus on her objectives. 

Another of her strengths was results orientation, always setting high goals for herself and working extremely hard to accomplish them. This attitude did not go unnoticed by her superiors. Most probably, it was due to these traits that she climbed the career ladder.

Pandemic’s Effect on the Shertan Astana Hotel Opening

A great opening had been prepared for Shertan Astana Hotel, and in March, just before they were going to open, Kazakhstan announced a state of emergency, completely changing their plans. Borders were closed, and all business events were cancelled, which had great implications for their marketing and financial returns. So, they had to shut down the hotel and stop all activities; it was a major loss never to have that chance to open as planned. But that was not the end of their endeavors. 

She assessed the situation and concluded that the sales strategy should change. From a focus on business travelers, she redirected their efforts toward the local market. They also started selling different weekend packages to encourage relaxation opportunities at the hotel. 

They continually introduced new services and products to respond to the dynamic market. The difficult situation brought these opportunities and gave them a way to not only fight for survival but also prosper. 

Akoty’s Advice to Young Professionals in Hotel Management

She would offer some advice for young professionals just kicking off their careers in the hotel industry. The first one would be to take advantage of every training and development opportunity offered to them by the company. Getting to know how the business works, asking questions, and seeking help from seasoned colleagues is essential. The next point she highlights is the need to possess an attitude of taking the initiative and being proactive. She urges not to shy away from taking responsibility or stepping outside of their comfort zone.

AllInsider’s Advice to Entrepreneurs and Businessmen: Join a Hotel Management Group and Take Your Hospitality Business to the Next Level.