Mei P. Pun is the General Manager of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, a premium all-inclusive resort in the Maldives. With a wealth of expertise garnered over two decades and spanning various countries, Mei’s leadership approach is centred on motivating her team and placing their happiness at the forefront. She believes that when her team is fulfilled, they have the power to create exceptional guest experiences that are nothing short of magical.

In this exciting interview, Mei delves into her secrets for maintaining sky-high guest satisfaction levels, unlocking her team’s full potential, and revealing her vision for the future of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives.

Could you tell us about your professional background and how you got to be the General Manager of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives?

I discovered my passion for resort management in the early days of my career, and I have been fortunate to do just that for the past two decades, working with several international hotel chains in 12 cities in 9 countries around the world at a variety of resorts. When I found myself managing ski resorts in the French Alps and China, I realized clearly that I prefer to be surrounded by the ocean in places like Bali, Phuket and the Maldives. Undoubtedly, the Maldives has a special place in my heart and I am always drawn to its unparalleled beauty and breathtaking water world. 

When the pandemic happened, after closing my previous resort, I told myself that I would be returning to Maldives again and sure enough, a few months later, I joined Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, as the GM of Atmosphere Kanifushi. 

How do you ensure that the guest experience at the resort is consistently high and meets or exceeds their expectations?

A key focus is paying attention to the details. In line with the company philosophy, “Joy of Giving” our team strives daily to create engaging moments and unique experiences by going the extra mile in delivering the best hospitality straight from our hearts. The notion that we will go to any length to accommodate our guests is embodied in our culture and pride. 

How do you ensure that your team stays motivated and productive on a daily basis?

I am a strong believer that happy employees always equal happy guests. When the right level of delegation of authority is given to the team, they have more freedom to create and deliver. The respect and trust given to the team allow them to perform optimally while being mindful of our policies and procedures.  

What is your vision for the future of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, and how do you plan to achieve it?

My vision for Atmosphere Kanifushi is for our daily actions to reflect our strong commitment to sustainability. The way we operate must continue to have a positive impact on our environment and local community. We have plans for a coral garden as well as other conservation projects. We are also sponsoring a special SEN Class at our local island school.  

How do you see the hospitality industry evolving in the next 5-10 years, and how do you plan to position the resort for success in that future landscape?

In the Maldives at least, there will be an ever-increasing demand for resorts with premium all-inclusive offerings especially since this unique geographic destination featuring the one island one resort concept is, I believe, the ultimate dream holiday of all vacationers. Faced with the hustle and bustle of city life, I truly feel that everyone needs a holiday experience to rejuvenate and recharge; the Maldives is the best place to do just that. 

With our resort’s premium all-inclusive Kanifushi Plan™, Atmosphere Kanifushi is already well-placed to offer guests that luxury experience. 

What advice would you give to someone who aspires to become a successful leader in the hospitality industry?

Great leadership means creating a legacy that inspires others to learn more, achieve more and become more. In the hospitality industry, we are in the business of taking care of people and making them happy. As a people person and nature lover myself, my passions have been the fuel to my motivation in this industry. I strive to take positive actions each day and focus on creating memorable experiences which form lifelong memories. Other attributes one should embody are being resilient and agile to face all challenges as well as being open to personal transformation in the process of learning.

I have always believed that the key to success is how we treat our guests and colleagues; this is directly related to how emotionally engaged we are in creating a positive impact on their experiences. When we look after our colleagues, they will look after our guests. Happy colleagues always equal happy guests.