Patrick de Staercke

General Manager at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa

With twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry, Patrick de Staercke, a Belgian national, has brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the management of several Crown and Champa Resorts’ properties. Under Patrick’s leadership, in his roles of F&B Director, Pre-Opening Resident Manager or General Manager, Meeru, Vilamendhoo, Komandoo and Hurawalhi saw an enviable growth and high levels of guest satisfaction and retention. Patrick is widely recognized as a person who nourishes positivity and teamwork among team members, which results in any resort he is involved in becoming more than a workplace; that, in turn, makes properties under his management much more than holiday destinations to their guests.

Patrick de Staercke is currently at the helm of Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, the country’s second largest resort, which is entering its thirtieth year of operation and remains one of the Maldives’ best value for money properties.

How did you get started with your career?

After completing my Bachelor’s Degree at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, I spent the first ten years of my professional career working at various properties in Europe and the States: Forum Hotel Inter-Continental Group (London), InterContinental Hotels Group (Patris), Hotel Jerome (Aspen) and Brown Palace Hotel (Colorado). Throughout these years, I gained experience in all key areas of hospitality, allowing me to establish a solid knowledge and management base that now helps me sail across the challenges the Maldives’ resorts face.

What are some of your notable successes?

I’m especially honoured to have been entrusted with the General Manager roles at Komandoo, Hurawalhi, and now Kuredu. All three are outstanding properties, each in its own way, and showcase high standards of customer satisfaction, care for the environment, and openness to follow the trends that make the guests’ experience repeat worthy. What’s more, receiving positive feedback from my team is another personal and professional achievement; I’m strongly convinced that encouragement and support to the team shouldn’t take a backseat in any business, and I feel that I’m doing everything that’s in my power for team members to feel a sense of pride and achievement in what they do.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced?

The biggest challenge is, of course, making sure that each and every guest leaves the resort happy, and this can only be achieved with a hard-working team. Due to the specifics of the Maldives, hiring and retaining good staff is a challenge in and of itself, however, I am proud that Kuredu has less than 11% turnover in a year, which is very little considering we’re the country’s second largest resort. I like to say ‘good players and born, but great players are made at Kuredu’ – we help good staff who have a positive attitude and are willing to learn become the best in hospitality. This helps them grow on a personal level, which in turn reflects on guests’ satisfaction.

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

The expert in anything was once a beginner, so keep an open mind, never stop learning and be stubborn about your goals.