Tobias Schott
Hotel manager
(unique by ATLANTIC Hotels Bremen & ATLANTIC Hotel Vegesack)
"My journey in the hotel world started in 2010 with my apprenticeship as a chef and the opening of the ATLANTIC Hotel Lübeck at the same time.
It wasn't long before I was asked if I would prefer to do a apprenticeship to specialist in the hotel business.
"Yes," I replied
"Looking back, the best decision I made during my professional career so far."
In 2013, I successfully completed my apprenticeship and took on the position of sales assistant – a combination of event sales and banquet service. I was already given a lot of responsibility during my apprenticeship. For example, the independent sale of events as well as their organization. I quickly discovered that it is easy for me to make well-considered decisions in stressful situations and to implement them together with my colleagues in the interests of the guests.
Over the past few years, I have used every opportunity to think outside the box. As soon as a gap arose, I did everything I could to fill it and expand my field of activities. This gave me the opportunity to prove myself in almost all areas within the company. – At this point: a big THANK YOU.
How I always like to say it: Over the years, I have continued to fill my backpack with experiences and never lost sight of my goal.
And then the time had come: unique by ATLANTIC Hotels was presented and it was immediately clear to me - I want to be a part of it!
>> I still experience the familiar support of the company and was able to open the first unique by ATLANTIC Hotels in Bremen in my new function. <<
The success story continues
"The development programme has a high priority in the company and creates visibility. I chose presentation training as my practical module. Attention, here's a fun fact: the last presentation was supposed to be a fictitious situation. I imagined that in addition to uniqueBremen, I was also applying to be the director of the ATLANTIC Hotel Vegesack and prepared the pitch as a presentation. At the time, I didn't realise that this situation would become real and that I would actually use some of this preparation.
I successfully opened the unique by ATLANTIC Hotels Bremen and established it on the market. Two years later, with a strong team at my side, I asked myself the question: What does it take for me to continue to be satisfied?
Shortly afterwards, I heard that my esteemed colleague at the ATLANTIC Hotel Vegesack was retiring and I jumped at the chance to apply internally. For me personally, there could not be a better end result of the 'grow with ATLANTIC Hotels' programme than to be able to gather more important things for my backpack and to be able to put them into practice with responsibility for two hotels.
The different products are particularly exciting for me. I come from a full service hotel (ATLANTIC Hotel Lübeck). With the unique by ATLANTIC Hotels Bremen, I'm getting to know a lifestyle hotel with the latest technology and modern work processes. In addition, as Hotel Director, I have the opportunity to take over and develop an existing hotel - the first hotel in the ATLANTIC Hotels Group - with long-established processes.
It has to be said that in the oldest house of the group I have already learnt things that are used in the unique house. The same is true in reverse.
You have to want responsibility. I knew right after my apprenticeship that I wanted to be a hotel manager – by the age of 35 at the latest. I got the offer when I was 30.
I have grown with the tasks I have been given and have quickly developed into taking responsibility for others. I now get to deal with many people, their personalities and individual needs. This makes my day very colourful and I enjoy going to work every day.
My advice to anyone who wants to make a career: Be visible.
When I think back on what I've done so far, it's amazing how quickly everything has happened. I graduated in 2013 and almost 10 years later I'm running two hotels – and I have a wife and two children. I'm grateful for the trust placed in me and I'm excited to see where things go from here."
// Publication: 1 November 2024 //