Marketing Communications Manager at Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives

Sales and marketing professional with almost 20 years of experience, hails from international business principle background. Her passion brings her expertise in opening new hotels and resorts, brand development champion and an omnichannel marketer. Prior to the Maldives, professional portfolio evolved around Asia namely Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Driven personality and with a growth-mindset for achievements, she also believes in innovation for today’s hospitality industry.

How did you get started with your career?

Started my career in public relations with Hilton, one of the best hotel in Borneo after university. It was my inquisitiveness of how ‘people industry’, also known as ‘hospitality’ operates. I am considered an extrovert and loves to do the story-telling, be it about a pen or a mountain trip to different medias but with the same objective.

What are some of your notable successes?

Campaigned for the hotel I was working for during that time and the hotel won three consecutive years of TTG Best Mid-range Hotel, APAC 2009 – 2012. Brand development project for a Singapore hospitality chain resulted in 300% of hotel growth within 3 years around APAC.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced?

Traditional mindset of public relations and marketing methods from industry practitioners that refrain new innovative technology initiatives to market Maldives effectively. Another common challenge will be to measure brand loyalty building activities that will benefit the brand in the long run and not immediate. It is either quality or quantity. Never concurrent growth. Eg: Kempinski versus Starwood.

What is your advice for young adults interested in entering the Tourism Industry?

Cultivate service from the heart as for how you would like to be treated and multifold it to have happy guests. It will be a paradigm shift for hospitality in the future.