David Seymour, head of a family-owned group of hotels in Jersey, is stepping down after 43 years in the role, citing the challenge of attracting future generations as a key concern for the industry.
David, who began working in the family business at the age of 11, will pass the role of managing director of Seymour Hotels to his son, Matthew Seymour, on 2 November. Reflecting on his time in the industry, David acknowledged that "working in the industry can be tough," but emphasized that the people he had met along the way had been the most rewarding aspect of the job. Founded in 1920, Seymour Hotels owns the Pomme D’or, Greenhills, and the Merton hotels, employing 350 staff.
"We're very proud of our loyal customer base, but that is changing," David said. "Visitors are getting older, and both the business and the island need to focus on attracting new visitors to replace those who can no longer come. It's a significant challenge."
David also expressed a desire to see more local businesses involved in Jersey’s hotel sector. "I don’t believe it should be dominated by branded hotels. I’m proud of what the island represents, and preserving our identity will benefit everyone."
As he prepares to hand over the reins to his son, David hopes Matthew will enjoy the role as much as he has. "If we didn’t have the enjoyable side of working in this industry, I’m not sure how many people would do it. It can be tough, but the people you meet make it worthwhile."
For David, the most fulfilling part of the job has been seeing satisfied guests. "There’s nothing better than the warm glow you feel at the end of the day, knowing that someone has had a wonderful stay thanks to the hard work of our staff," he said.