Falling in love with Africa

Karl Hala

Karl Hala, 54, the Intercontinental Hotels Group Regional General Manager loves everything African to the extent he went for an African bride. PETER MUIRURI spoke to the ever-optimistic hotelier

I have met Karl Hala, the Intercontinental Hotels Group Regional General Manager for Africa and Nairobi’s General Manager, a number of times. Whenever I ask him how things are going in his stable, the ever-optimistic hotelier always draws attention away from himself, giving credit to his charges.

Enthusiasm and humility are two qualities that best describe the man who recently steered the hotel in being voted as the Best Accommodation Facility in the city during the recent Kenya Tourism Awards.

“The award is a culmination of hard work and combined efforts from our staff. We work as a team while giving each individual quality time. People here do not just work to please an individual,” says Karl.

Secret of success

According to him, the secret of success in any managerial position is to encourage open communication.

“The hotel forms my extended family. The whole team looks up to us to take the lead and create an environment where everyone is appreciated. People are not perfect but you must learn to look on the good side. There is no need to wash one’s linen in public. Learn from mistakes and move on,” says Karl.

Values teamwork

True, it takes a team to run a hotel but his contribution to this success cannot be overlooked. For starters, Karl, 54, has at least 30 years of experience in the hotel industry holding several managerial positions throughout his career spanning 12 countries in four continents, including Austria, Germany, Jordan, Egypt, Hungary and Poland. He has left an indelible mark in all these locations since joining the group in 1991.

For example, in 2000, while serving as general manager for Intercontinental Budapest in Hungary, he embarked on a major refurbishment project for the hotel while his posting in Poland saw the property win several excellence awards.

Paradoxically, had he listened to his father, he would have carried on his legacy as a renowned architect in Austria, his home country.

“My dad ran one of the most successful architectural firms back home while my mother was a PhD holder. As the only son in such a background of top scholars, I was also expected to toe the line. I think I disappointed them,” he quips.

Conversely, he would have become a professional footballer or a musician.

Loves football

“My love for soccer superseded everything else. I played as a goalkeeper for a top club in Vienna League in the late 1970s. At some point I even formed my own club,” says Karl.

Three years ago, Karl approached the principal of Kenton College with an appeal that he be allowed to coach the young team, a request the school happily granted.

Yet, as matters turned out, this love for the outdoors is what thrust him in the hospitality arena and is today streamlining a large portion of one of the well-known hotel chains in the world.

Burning desire

His sojourn in Africa — the place he now calls home — is especially etched in his heart.  As a small boy growing up in Europe, Karl was always mesmerised by blacks and their talents.

His list of heroes includes the legendary Shaka Zulu, Mike Tyson and the legendary Mohamed Ali. His burning desire was to visit and interact with Africans in their homeland, taking in their rich culture.

I witness his love affair with the continent during this interview that was held in the backdrop of Buganda drumbeats during the recent celebrations to mark Uganda’s 50th anniversary at the hotel’s poolside.

“Nothing beats this kind of lifestyle. The relaxation, the vast and varied customs.  For me, it was Africa or nothing,” he remarks over the din created by the rhythmic movement of the dancers. I urge him to join in the dance.

“No way. I don’t want to start something I won’t finish,” he says, letting out a generous dose of laughter.

Nothing, I learn, is too big for Karl. Defying the stereotypical business executive, Karl’s adventures have seen him discover the little secrets hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest, a no go zone for many. The father of four has no qualms shark diving in the waters of Cape Town, South Africa.

Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest land mass, has not escaped Karl’s outdoor exploits.

“This continent is blessed with many natural resources that some may take for granted. Go out there and appreciate nature. I love the wild side of life that Africa provides,” says Karl.

His tour of duty brought him here for the first time in the mid 1980s. He immediately loved what he saw. Life back then, he says, was a bit slow but enjoyable.

“The city had less traffic than it does now. Social life was vibrant then where one had to book a seat in some restaurants in advance. The country is now changing rapidly with a lot of infrastructure improvements.” 

Drumbeats

Still, he will not trade anything for the beauty of Africa and its people. According to him, one never appreciates the good things in life unless you lose them.

He says: “Kenya has many attractions that other nations can only dream of. Our sportsmen and women are among the best in the world.  We have some of the best parks, game reserves, beaches, waterfalls and hot springs. Nairobi is the only capital in the world where animals roam on its doorsteps. Use it or lose it.”

As the drumbeats recede, so does my interview with Karl. “Believe in God and yourself while you enjoy the good things in life.” I am left wondering as to just how many caps Karl can wear.

Love brewed in an African pot

My wife, Harriet was born in Uganda and was a design student at Evelyn College of Design in Nairobi when we met. We dated for a while before getting married in May 1990 at the Attorney General’s office. We had a brief honeymoon — three days to be precise — since I had to travel back to Harare Zimbabwe for my assignment.

In 2009, we did another ‘wedding’ in Austria for the sake of my family.

We have four children, Alexander, (12), Daniel (ten), Joshua (eight) and Jemima (five). I love doing things with my children and many are the times I have taken them with me during some of my world tours.

My wife has increased my love for Africa. As a professional designer and event organiser, she has obviously influenced the way I dress up. Harriet also has a passion for cooking. She especially loves preparing Ugandan delicacies.