Bilal Essop has been appointed Deputy General Manager of The Palazzo Montecasino, having risen rapidly through the Tsogo Sun ranks since joining the group as a student in 2009.
Essop attended Al-Aqsa High School in Lenasia, Johannesburg, before attaining his National Diploma in Hospitality Management from the University of Johannesburg. He joined Tsogo Sun’s SunSquare Montecasino hotel in January 2009, starting in the Front Office and working his way through all departments. Requesting additional responsibility, he was moved to the kitchen where he monitored purchases, reduced food costs, and maintained consistent standards.
In 2010 he joined Southern Sun Grayston as Assistant Front Office Manager where his first project was hosting Bafana Bafana during the Soccer World Cup. A year later he joined Intercontinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers and then moved to Southern Sun Montecasino as Front Office Manager and later transferring to Housekeeping. He then moved on to Garden Court Sandton as Deputy GM, which was “a massive learning curve in a very hands-on hotel.”
Essop moved across to the Rooms Division at the Palazzo and then to the Deputy GM position when it became vacant in May 2016. Essop says his key responsibilities are to maintain service excellence, ensure sound financial health, and develop staff as future leaders in the industry.
General Manager of The Palazzo, Robert Jasper, welcomed Essop to his new position. “I have no doubt that his passion for the hotel industry, his dedication to customer service, and his ability to learn will stand him in good stead and help to ensure our great hotel maintains its reputation for excellence.”
