Markus Iseli - General Manager of LUX* North Male Atoll


Maldives
Interviews
Markus Iseli - General Manager of LUX* North Male Atoll
PUBLISHED December 01, 2017

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Markus Iseli is the General Manager of LUX* North Male Atoll. He has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge through his work in various positions of the hospitality industry throughout Europe and the Indian Ocean. As the Island Chief Sits down with Markus we learn about how he ventured into the industry and his thoughts on the status quo and future of what hospitality has to offer</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Could you share with us how you first started in this industry?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I graduated as a Civil Engineer but my passion has always been cooking. I enjoy the idea of experimenting with food and creating flavorful meals while pairing it with wines. As Civil Engineering became too commercial and I gradually lose interest in it, I started to travel around the world and learnt about other cultures, food and hospitality. During my travels, I have spent time in Switzerland, Germany, Africa, the Middle East and Indian Ocean. I hone my interest in the hospitality industry by working with numerous international hotel brands and in various positions, mainly in F&amp;B and gradually became a Hotel Manager. In total, I have spent more than 30 years in this industry.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Tell us about the differences between hotels in European countries and the Maldives?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">One main change would be the infrastructure and operations, here in the Maldives. e integral part of a successful construction and opening of such projects is the set-up and implementation of the supply chain.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Given that many new resorts are rapidly opening in the Maldives yearly, FInding talented individuals for the resort is also a di cult task, as not many people will want to work in the hospitality industry anymore. However, our strategy and plan is to build a strong team and we will try to retain them as much as we can.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Why do you feel that, people do not want to work in the hospitality industry anymore?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">One obvious reason would be the income. Talents in the hospitality industry are not as appreciated as their counter parts and their income levels are not as highly paid as, for example, bankers or lawyers. Even though a passionate talent in this industry will strive their best to overcome any obstacles they are facing, the matter of fact is that they will still not be paid enough compare to other similar professions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What are some of the highlights of your experience?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">During my three decades of experience, I have travelled most parts of the world, opened hotels and resorts as well as have worked in various places in di&shy; erent positions. The hotel in Damascus, Syria has certainly created a unique experience for me as well as my current project here in the Maldives. Being exposed to many cultures and working with di&shy; erent individuals from more than 30 nationalities would be my biggest highlight.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>During your long career, what is the most important thing that you have learnt?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I learnt to respect the local cultures and religions. One must embrace and adopt a behavior of the locals in order to be accepted and most importantly, one should not o&shy; end them as you are working and living in their country.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For instance, during the month of Ramadan in Islamic countries, you should not eat in public when they are fasting, as this is simply disrespectful and o&shy; ensive to the locals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What are some of the challenges that you expect to face with the opening of the new resort in North Male?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Finding the right talent will be a challenging task. We can only give the best service if we have dedicated and passionate individuals with the right attitude and energy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I believe that having the right type of leadership is very important, as we are able to work as a team to train, grow and retain these individuals. Here at LUX*, we like taking a di&shy; erent approach in managing our talents.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>How many staff will be at the resort when it opens?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Should be approximately 300 team members.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>How would you improve the hospitality industry of Maldives?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The standards here at the Maldives are already very high and saying something like this about the country would be like trying to re-invent the wheel. Maldives is extremely high class with international brands such as Four Seasons, Cheval Blanc and many more. However, if you ask us how LUX* is going to improve the industry, I would say that we will try to do it in our own way and manner. We will improve the service approach and delivery in a less sti&shy; and more easy-going approach. We will do it in a &ldquo;lighter, brighter&rdquo; manner, just like all the other LUX* properties. We will enhance it with a LUX* touch.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Share a unique feature of the new opening of LUX* North Male Atoll?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">At LUX* North Male Atoll, we will have aroo op terrace in all our villas where guests cansunbath on the sundeck. In addition, guest can hold barbecue party for family and friends while enjoying a gorgeous bird&rsquo;s eye view over the island and lagoon. We trust that this is something unique in the Maldives.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Tell us more about the resort?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The resort is located in a very famous former picnic island. We will have 67 villas with diff&shy;erent categories that includes one bedroom, two bedrooms and three bedrooms villa, both beach or over water villas.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Restaurant includes the signature Beach Rouge and a Peruvian restaurant - Nikkei, which highlights a fusion mix of Peruvian and Japanese taste and cuisine. Apart from that, ICI &ndash; ice cream parlor will be there and additionally, we will have an underground dining restaurant. To me, I think that the Peruvian restaurant &ndash; Nikkei, will be truly unique and would make it as a dining destination to visit.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Would you like to add and share anything else to our readers?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">LUX* Resorts and Hotels, in every destination is fostering a good and lasting relationship with local community and talents. It is our objective to incorporate these into our resorts by recruiting, promoting and providing opportunities to each individual, as we believe that they are the hoteliers of tomorrow. is a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility in all the destinations we operate</p>
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