From Laundry Attaché To Tanoa International GM

Daniel Roy knows Tanoa International Nadi all too well having started his career as a young laundry attaché.

He recalls wonderful memories of how his career in the hospitality industry began from the bottom up.

Mr Roy’s first practical attachment was at Tanoa International hotel in 2003.

“My first interaction in the industry was at the laundry, as a laundry attaché and what wonderful memories, people, work culture and skill I was exposed to.

“I have now been in the tourism and hospitality industry almost 17 years and still learning, meeting people.

“I was blessed to be exposed in the industry and working through varies departments, meeting some of the most wonderful characters and professionals who passed their wealth of knowledge.

“My most recent experience has been the front house or rooms and Revenue division in the highly evolving and charged industry.”

One reason he particularly enjoys this business, and the challenges that come along with it, is the opportunity to connect with people.

“My real strength is my attention to detail.

“I pride myself on my reputation for following through and meeting deadlines.

“When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time.

“What I am looking for now is a company that values guests relations, where I can join a strong team and have a positive impact on guest retention and revenue.

“I had spent the last six years developing my skills as an executive member of the Castaway Island Resort Fiji as resort manager.

“The past one year I was the director of Revenue Management at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Fiji looking after revenue strategy for Castaway Island Resort Fiji and Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort.

“Exciting achievements with Team Castaway where we won several performance awards in the Fiji Excellence and Tourism awards.

“I love working with my teams, solving guests problems and achieving new heights with the business objectives.”

Below are excerpts of interview with Mr Roy:

1. Can you tell us a bit about your job?

As the general manager, I look after all aspects of the operations for Tanoa International Hotel including;

Motivating staff to achieve high standards of guest satisfaction and improving productivity by maximising available resources.

Maintain good relationship with clients and focus on guest satisfaction

Driving the total revenue strategy and work closely with the property revenue and sales teams

Improving efficiency of operations and team building

Adapting to varied international and local market conditions

Identifying areas of strength and weakness and implement hotel policies, standards, changes in operation and systems to optimise revenue and the bottom line.

2. What do you enjoy most about your job and what you least enjoy about it?

The job provides me the opportunity to build on the below:

νCreate Great Results

νWork relationship

νWorking with great people

νGaining Knowledge

νFriends in the workplace

Least –

I really prefer not doing administrative work.

Whilst it is an important task and has to be done at the end of the day, it is time not spent with the guests and staff, which is my strong suit. However it is all about prioritising and time management.

3. What is your source of inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is Jesus, I admire his patience, thoughtfulness, keep going and doing good.

I aspire to make a difference, not just a living.

4. What are some of your future plans?

I had put my MBA on hold when I started work at Castaway Island.

I aim to complete my education.

With my career, I plan to continue as GM for the next five years and upskilling is one very important part.

5. If there was anything in life that you would have liked to become what would it be?

I would like to become a child again.

I am encouraged that life is perfect from an eye of a child, always wanting the best for everyone and approaches any challenge with an open mind.

6. Can you tell us a situation at work that you encountered that taught you a valuable lesson?

I once encountered a manager in my career who had a systematic approach to every situation.

The approach was hard and fast, any failure or short comings was disciplined, every situation was dealt mechanically.

I witnessed every indicator of demotivating your team, causing emotional breakdowns, set to fail and limited room for self-improvements.

Whilst this drove fear in the staff and an added focus to do things right the first time, this taught me valuable lesson that we deal with people and their emotions in this industry.

As a leader it was important to understand, support, and encourage the team to excel, coaching them in areas of distress.

Humbling yourself is the key, listening was important, if there is a problem, brain storm with the very team to bring about a change or take corrective action.

This was the huge motivator for me to work with my fellow work colleagues and bring the best in every situation. Learn from our shortcomings and strive to consistently deliver quality and excellence.

7. What would be your advice to young people out there who are looking to join the tourism Industry?

Don’t aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference by Denzel Washington

Work hard, it is not going to be easy, make goals, work on your goals, enjoy achieving goals.

Never be afraid to fail, the key to every success is failure.

Pick yourself up and run again to your goal.

It is never about the role, always about the goal.

(Source: FijiSun Omline SUNBIZ 20 December 2017)

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