The strength of Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives lies in its people. A team of experienced leaders and industry experts in the team brings something valuable, whether it’s a fresh perspective, a creative solution, or deep operational expertise. From anticipating emerging travel trends to delivering exceptional service, these key individuals combine their industry knowledge with a forward-thinking approach, consistently exceeding guest expectations.
By embracing creativity and collaboration, they continue to shape the resort into a world-class destination, always staying ahead of the curve to meet the ever-changing demands of the modern traveller.
With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Tommy Kesatria Sugeng has built a strong foundation working with leading international five-star brands across various countries. His extensive background in financial leadership, strategic planning, and operational efficiency shapes his role as Cluster Director of Finance for Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives, where he leverages his financial expertise to oversee operations and ensure the resorts meet their financial goals.
Tommy’s approach to pre-opening budgeting for Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives began with close collaboration with the management team to create a detailed timeline and assess staffing needs. Leveraging his vast experience, he anticipated costs for key expenses like marketing and recruitment, ensuring that the resort’s financial plan supported its long-term vision. At Barceló, Tommy takes a hands-on approach to financial oversight, managing budgeting, forecasting, and cost control across all departments. By maximising revenue through strategic upselling and keeping a sharp eye on market trends, he ensures the resort stays financially on track. With a strong focus on expanding into high-potential Asian markets, such as India, China, and Japan, Tommy’s leadership and passion for mentoring make him an invaluable asset to both the resort and the wider hospitality industry.
Tommy advises aspiring finance professionals to stay curious, embrace learning, and seek career growth opportunities. His journey highlights the importance of adaptability and a proactive mindset in the dynamic hospitality sector.
Fatho’s career in hospitality has spanned over a decade, marked by a progression from entry-level roles to senior leadership positions. He began his journey as a Public Area Attendant Trainee and quickly advanced through key areas like guest relations, Housekeeping, and front-of-house operations. Throughout his career, Fatho has cultivated a leadership style that blends empathy, collaboration, and a results-driven mindset.
Fatho closely monitors competitors, analysing their offerings, pricing, and guest feedback to identify gaps and opportunities. At Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives, he leverages this data to create a unique positioning for the resort, focusing on personalised experiences, strategic partnerships, and targeting emerging and niche luxury segments. When sales targets fall short, Fatho adopts a data-driven approach to diagnose the root cause, whether market conditions, pricing, or marketing outreach. He works closely with his sales team to adjust strategies, offering promotions, targeting new markets, and enhancing guest experiences to drive repeat business, while maintaining regular communication with agents and partners to adapt quickly to market changes. Committed to continuous growth, Fatho completed Cornell’s Hospitality Management program and stays updated through networking and trade shows. He also utilises technologies like Opera PMS, IdeaS, STR Global, and social media for sales strategies.
Looking ahead, Fatho is focused on integrating sustainability and showcasing authentic Maldivian experiences at Barceló Whale Lagoon to meet evolving customer expectations for sustainability, experiential travel, and tech-driven personalisation.
Usman’s hospitality career began with a passion for enhancing guest experiences through attention to detail. Starting as a villa attendant, he worked his way up through various housekeeping and management roles. His early experiences with pre-opening teams at luxury resorts in the Maldives shaped his leadership style, highlighting the importance of preparation, attention to detail, and team coordination. Today, as Cluster Director of Housekeeping at Barceló Hotels, Usman leads by example, prioritizing team empowerment and staying calm under pressure.
For Usman, a successful housekeeping leader needs qualities like attention to detail, empathy, and adaptability. He has cultivated these traits in his team through consistent training, mentoring, and fostering open communication. He also addresses key challenges in the Maldives, such as maintaining service consistency, high turnover rates, and seasonality through robust training, improved employee retention, and efficient housekeeping operations. By leveraging technology for improved scheduling and communication, Usman and his team at Barceló Hotels and Resorts ensure consistent service standards throughout the year.
Usman advises young professionals to embrace challenges, find mentors, and focus on continuous growth. He believes lifelong learning and a passion for service excellence are key to success in hospitality, with his own journey proving that hard work and dedication lead to long-term achievement.
