Upul Gedarakumbura - General Manager, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi


Maldives
Interviews
Upul Gedarakumbura - General Manager, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
PUBLISHED October 01, 2018

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Let us start with a brief introduction of yourself.</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">My initial introduction in to the field of hospitality began when I joined Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management to complete my higher education in 1991. Hospitality and tourism was a subject I was always interested in given the diversity it held, in terms of work and operations.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Although this was not a popular industry in demand back then, I saw an opportunity and the potential to grow. Now, I have over 27 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having started my career as a Management Trainee at Taj Samudra Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka. Since then, I have gained experience including foreign exposure in India, Australia and Dubai.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Some key highlights of my career were working for Kerry Packer (Australia), managing his yacht and onboard operations; also managing two properties in Dubai from 2007 to 2009 and later taking over as General Manager at Earl&rsquo;s Regency &ndash; a five-star luxury hotel property managed by Aitken Spence Ho-tels, in my hometown, Kandy, Sri Lanka.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">My most recent appointment here, in Maldives, as General Manager of Adaaran Select Huduran Fushi and Prestige Ocean Villas in January 2018 is, I believe, owing to my dedication and passion to excel in whatever I undertake.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>In your opinion what is the key to be a competent General Manager?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">To be a successful leader, you need to have a deep understanding of your role. It is about creating a per-fect balance between our service to the guest, wellbeing of the team, engagement with the community and conserving the environment. This is a difficult task, as a General Manager needs to wear many hats and juggle diverse areas simultaneously. However, this is also what makes the role exciting.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Primarily, it is about creating a lifestyle and a memorable experience for guests so that a holiday at the given property is remembered for years, shared with friends and re-visited.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What changes or improvements do you plan to implement here under your management?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Along with my senior management and team. we plan to introduce additional soft touches where our guests have a unique experience at Adaaran Huduran Fushi. For example, we are working on an organic garden in the island where we will have a variety of homegrown fruits and vegetables. Given the current positive trend in wellness, guests are more conscious than ever about their health and wellbeing. This is why we believe it will be an advantage for our guests to understand and see organic produce from our own garden being added to their meals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Given the value Aitken Spence Hotels places in preserving culture and heritage of the destinations they operate in; we will also introduce more authentic Maldivian dishes to the menu. Alongside the new menu additions, I am also looking at hosting a local arts and crafts exhibition at the Resort. This is planned with the intention of creating an outlet for local artisans to showcase their traditional craftsmanship whilst giving them an opportunity to sell their products to guests.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>In your opinion, what makes the experience at Aitken Spence properties unique?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As I mentioned before, Aitken Spence Hotels has always placed great importance on locality and traditions. Similarly, the hotel chain understands the importance in inherited values and hospitality from the heart. Our key brands, Heritance &ndash; which has a range of properties in Sri Lanka, and Adaaran in Mal-dives echoes these values, starting from the names itself. &lsquo;Heritance&rsquo; is a m&eacute;lange of &lsquo;heritance&rsquo; and &lsquo;in-heritance&rsquo;; whilst &lsquo;Adaaran&rsquo; is derived from the Dhivehi phrases &lsquo;adaa&rsquo; and &lsquo;ran&rsquo;, which translates to &lsquo;golden service&rsquo;.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Company has invested heavily to ensure that these values are well ingrained into the system &ndash; from deciding the location of its hotels, interior and exterior architectural designs of its properties to honing the skills of those who join hands to work at these properties.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This is where I contribute in terms of my knowledge and skills that I have gained over the years in the hospitality industry. My first experience with Aitken Spence Hotels was as a receptionist at Neptune Hotel (presently known as Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara) in 1992. While key trends in the hospitality industry change and we adapted accordingly, our core values have made us resilient amidst the challenges and helped us to evolve. We believe that this is what makes Aitken Spence&rsquo;s heritage a rich one and stand out from others.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>How will you ensure guests are satisfied with the service they receive from Adaaran?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Satisfying guests in my book is a complicated and challenging scenario because each one is different. Not everyone will like, appreciate and want the same thing. Therefore, satisfying a vast number of guests is not an easy task.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What we do is give attention to every detail from the arrival of guests from the airport till their departure. We have to make sure that everything is planned well, followed up, executed and the expectations of our guests are met. We aim to deliver our services higher than their expectations. That&rsquo;s the bench-mark we follow.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Share your work philosophies with us. How do you encourage and mentor your staff?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Have a plan for each and every individual in your team, know their strengths and weaknesses. Outline their career path and help them to envision that with the company. Look into their day-to-day needs and have an open-door policy where they can discuss their concerns and issues.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">All these things have to come in a bundle. If all exists, not just in paper but in reality, the staff will be happy and motivated. When there are happy employees, they score the winning goals for you.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Tell us a little bit about Aitken Spence Hotel&rsquo;s plans in Maldives?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Adaaran Resorts has been in the Maldives for past 25 years and enjoys a cross-section of guests from around the world. Despite the intense competition, we have done well in terms of securing occupancy and financial growth. We completed some key upgrades at a few of our properties and the rest will follow this year.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">A highlight for Aitken Spence Hotels is the launch of Heritance Aarah which is scheduled to open end of this year or beginning of next year, marking the first foray out of Sri Lanka for the Heritance brand. The new property nestled on an island in the Raa Atoll that will house 160 villas targeting the premium clien-tele. It will also have several dining options, and a medi-spa is among the luxurious facilities offered to cater to this niche market.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>What do you do in your free time and what is your favorite thing about the Maldives?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I like to spend time with my family, watch a game of cricket on TV, and enjoy a cup of tea while looking at the sea sums up an ideal way to relax and unwind.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>
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