In Conversation with… Petr Dubsky

The General Manager of The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, talks career ambitions and a love for Bahrain.

The hospitality industry, with its long hours and sometimes difficult work-life balance, is not for everyone. What made you choose this sector?
I believe, each one of us feels a connection to a specific industry. Since high-school, I knew hospitality was the right path for me. There are many areas which help us to channel our skills and knowledge, then the experience develops us towards our final goal. Being a hotelier means you have to be able to multi-task, understand how operations work at the ‘back of house’, and always think of the service you deliver to your guests through the ‘front of house’. Definitely, we have stressful situations, but the advantages which come with the job are beyond any doubt exceptional: the opportunity to work with many different nationalities; learning about new cultures; and creating lifelong memories.

You have had, what seems to be, a very swift rise from bar/ restaurant manager to GM. To what do you attribute your success? And did you expect to be in this position, as one of the Kingdom’s youngest GMs, so soon?
Success is an outcome of an ambition that comes from within. If you don’t have this drive in you, which encourages you to make steps outside of your comfort zone, all your hard work will go to waste. During my previous appointments, I always felt this urge to achieve more in my career. However, I must say, I am thankful my ambition was supported by great mentors.
For the past 14 years with Radisson Hotel Group, I was guided by brilliant minds and the strong family pillar of my beautiful wife and daughters, who left a strong impact on my future steps.
Today, I stand proud as a mentor to my colleagues and am grateful that RHG has strong faith in me and my leadership.

This is the third position you have held at The Diplomat, what keeps bringing you back to this property?
Back in 2014, the Kingdom of Bahrain was my first stop in the Middle East, followed by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel is one of the flagship properties in MENA with great support from its owners, National Hotels Company. While I was working to progress in my career, building my way from Food and Beverage Manager to General Manager, without exception, I had Bahrain on the top of my list as a place where I would like to bring my family and raise my children. The country itself feels safe, gives comfort and a chance to genuinely feel at home.

What’s going to be coming up at The Diplomat in the coming year that our readers should look out for?
In 2019, we finished the renovation of the hotel and Health Club. Today we have new projects in the pipeline, however the official announcement is yet to come. Last year, we opened two new outlets Bo.Sabi, Asian restaurant, and Mondo, Taste of Italy. I guess, I would have to invite your readers to come and discover our beautiful property, enjoy Friday Brunch, book your new sport spot in Manama and visit one of the biggest ballrooms in the Kingdom.

What is the thing you enjoy most about Bahrain? Would you recommend it to others in the hospitality industry?
With a smile on my face, I must say, absolutely!
I’m a Czech by nationality, but also a citizen of the world. I’ve lived in Ireland, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain and gathered experience during my short relocations to Poland and Nigeria. However, Bahrain and the people of Bahrain, the locals, make you feel welcome, appreciated and respected. Unique, rare and graceful – this island truly is a Pearl of the Middle East. ✤