In this podcast Manrique Rodriguez talks about Lebanese hospitality and compares Lebanon to other countries in the Levant and Middle East and shares his extensive, global insights into the hospitality field.  He touches on the topic of hospitality changes and challenges and the importance of moving towards more sustainable practices and eco-tourism. Manrique Rodriguez recently became the General Manager of the JW Marriott Guanacaste in Costa Rica and he was the General Manager of the iconic Intercontinental Phoenicia in Beirut, Lebanon.  He has a strong background in hotel operations with over 30 years’ experience in different styles of hotels.  He has a highly motivational, people-orientated management style with a clear vision of hotel objectives.   Manrique also talks about a tragic and unforgettable event – he was in the Phoenicia hotel on August 4, 2020 when the explosion at Beirut's port occurred.  It was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in global history. The explosion sent shock waves through the city, killing at least 220 people, and wounding over 7,000.  In addition, there was extensive property damage all over Beirut and The Phoenicia hotel was forced to close due to extensive damage.  Manrique talks about this trying, challenging event that happened during the COVID pandemic. Manrique has had a progressive hotel management career spanning more than 30 years within IHG Hotels & Resorts.  A truly global hotelier, he has worked as General Manager for IHG Hotels in the USA, Brazil, Australia, Spain and in Beirut, Lebanon at the Intercontinental Phoenicia.