The management of Farmington Hotel in Lower Margibi County over the weekend honorably retired its General Manager, Dominique Viard, who had spent over six years at the institution since its establishment in 2017.
The elaborate ceremony, held at the main premises of the hotel, around the Roberts International Airport, Margibi County, attracted top business entrepreneurs and partners, as well as government officials.
The retirement and turnover ceremony of the out-going and in-coming general manager was marred by emotions and laughter due to the long-standing working relationship he had with the employees of the institution.
Speaking at the event on October 20, 2024, the out-going General Manager of the Hotel, Dominique Viard, said it was an honor to serve the people of Liberia at the prestigious hotel, noting that his stay at the hotel was a complete eye-opener and a landmark experience for him, promising to always remember the challenging and joyous times with employees while in retirement.
According to Viard, his stay in Liberia has given him more experience in working with professionals from diverse backgrounds, and vowed not to forget about them throughout his lifetime.
According to Viard, there are many challenges in the hotel management sector, but believes that with the coming of the new management, headed by another trained and experienced hotel manager, he remains optimistic that the hotel will maintain its standard as one of the leading and best hotels in Liberia.
Viard added that, after years of service to countries in Africa and Europe it was exciting to work with such a hardworking and dedicated staff at Farmington Hotel.
For his part, the incoming Manager of the hotel, Gerald Schraven, thanked the out-going manager and staffers, promising to use his long-time experience in hotel management to make Farmington Hotel second to none in Liberia.
Schraven is a native of Madagascar who obtained his diploma in hotel management in London and later moved to Kenya, where he started his professional career as a hotel manager at some of the prestigious hotels in that part of Africa.
He expressed excitement of taking another assignment at Farmington Hotel in Liberia, West Africa, promising to work with the staffers of the hotel in ensuring the smooth operation of the hoteI and making it attractive to customers and other partners.
The new Manager, Schraven, added that, as head of the hotel he looks forward to collaborate with the team in transforming the hotel and providing employment opportunities to the people of Liberia.
“We will make the difference, and we all will need to develop Africa through the tourism sector,” he added.
The program was graced by the city mayor of Unification City and the Labor Inspector General of Liberia, as well as several government officials in lower Margibi County.