"Four Seasons will have properties in almost every capital city in the GCC within the next few years, which will serve to further consolidate our presence in the market,” Norton asserts.

　　Christopher W. Norton, president hotel operations Europe/Middle East/Africa Four Seasons, has a vision.

　　It is a vision that many have wanted to see put into action for some time. But Four Seasons, much to its credit, is not a company to be rushed into throwing products out there for the sake of it.

　　The fundamentals have to be right and this is one of the reasons the company’s arrival in Dubai has been anticipated and delayed in equal measure.

　　But that is all set to change and the year ahead sees Four Seasons’ development pipeline move up a gear.

　　"Four Seasons will have properties in almost every capital city in the GCC within the next few years, which will serve to further consolidate our presence in the market,” Norton asserts.

　　"In addition to a strong development pipeline, we have in recent years invested continuously in further enhancing our physical product and service innovation.”

　　This pipeline will be pushed along by the recently established Dubai office, which is pursuing both new-build developments and conversions in the region.

　　The goal is simple Norton says; to become “the first and only choice for the Middle East traveller, both at home and abroad”.

　　There are three properties opening in the Middle East by early 2015, Four Seasons Resort Dubai, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca. Of these, Norton is aware that all eyes will be on the Dubai property.

　　"As Four Seasons has expanded our footprint across the Middle East, anticipation for a property in Dubai has been growing,” he enthuses.

　　Talking talent

　　However, with expansion, comes the challenge of staffing, and when you claim to be the best you need to employ the best.

　　Fortunately, Four Seasons’ focus on people — for 16 years in a row the company has been named in Fortune magazine’s list of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ — is paying dividends.

　　"The key to our success is our people,” says Norton.

　　"Each employee across the organisation is empowered to think creatively and elevate guest experience. They are encouraged to develop a new service, a more efficient system or an original amenity tailored for a guest’s interests,” he explains.

　　This philosophy is the foundation for the ‘Four Seasons’ culture’, and with 60 new projects under development globally, there are also plenty of opportunities for the ambitious to join, or grow within, the group.

　　"We have many initiatives in place that actively promote staff development, cross training and mentoring, which are very attractive for young talent hoping to carve out a long-term career,” Norton explains.