A. Patrick Imbardelli, Chief Executive of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) Asia Pacific, has been named Hotelier of the Year 2006 at the 10th Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference, organised and hosted by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. The eighth recipient to receive the prestigious award, Mr. Imbardelli has been leading many high-profile developments for the group since he took on his role at IHG Asia Pacific in 2003.
IHG today has grown to 188 hotels in the region, with 105 more in the development pipeline. The company is now the largest international hotel group in Greater China, well on track to achieving its goal of having 125 hotels opened by 2008. The recently formed IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan - a joint venture with All Nippon Airways - makes IHG the biggest international hotel operator in Japan, the second largest hotel market in the world. IHG is also growing in India, another strategic business tourism market within the region.
IHG's family of brands have crossed major milestones in profitability and distribution growth under Mr. Imbardelli's leadership, delivering consistent value to hotel owners. Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts is now the most recognised brand in China, while Crowne Plaza & Resorts is one of the fastest growing hotel brands in Asia Pacific. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts continues to build on its legacy as a leading premium brand, and the recent introduction of the franchise model for Holiday Inn Express in China is yet another strategic move in a key market for IHG.
A veteran hotelier, Mr Imbardelli has over 24 years of experience in the hotel and tourism industry. A member of the Young Presidents' Organisation, he has held key appointments in industry bodies and other advisory boards, including the Global Hoteliers Society. Both the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Variety Club International have recognized him for contributions to the disadvantaged and underprivileged children in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Each year, the Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference honours an Asia Pacific Hotelier who has had the greatest impact on the region's hospitality industry. The Hotelier of the Year award was first presented at the 3rd Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference in 2000. Mr. Imbardelli joins the list of past winners including:
* Mr. Kwek Leng Beng, Executive Chairman of Hong Leong Group
* Dr. Hari Harilela, Chairman of The Harilela Group
* Mr. Richard Hartman, Managing Director of InterContinental Hotels Group
* Mr. Gwee Liang Kheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of publicly listed company Hotel Plaza Limited, and also President and CEO of United Overseas Land
* Mr. David Baffsky, Chairman of ACCOR Asia Pacific
* Dr. Lo Ka Shui, GBS JP, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Great Eagle Holdings and Chairman of the Langham Hotels International Group
* Mr. Giovanni Angelini, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Held annually in Singapore, the Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference is widely recognized as the premier forum for the Asia Pacific hospitality industry. A 'By-Invitation Only' event, the conference brings together senior decision-makers of hotel owning and operating companies as well as investors. The 10th Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference has the sponsorship support of Accor Asia Pacific, Baker and McKenzie, Hilton International, IHG, Marriott International, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and The Registry Collection.
Friday, June 8, 2007
STP Bali : To Produce Reliable and Quality Human Resources
“Having the capability of competing at global level and not seizing the domestic cakes” is the aspiration of the Director of STP Bali, I Made Sudjana. With the vision of realizing his institution as the centre for tourism education, the Bali Tourism College (STP Bali) has a responsibility to produce reliable human resources in the tourism field. The institution, under the management of Department for Culture and Tourism runs the only one state tourism school in Bali.
Since its establishment, this school is targeted to supply the demand of human resources in tourism and hotel industries. Additionally, the school is also expected to have the capability of preparing professional and reliable tourism graduates. Founded in 1978 under the name P4B (Center for Hotel and Tourism Training in Bali), the institution underwent several name changes, however, it continues to produce graduates of good quality.
“To produce reliable output, we implement competence-based curriculum and always refer to the need of industry (link and match),” says Sudjana. With the composition of 70% practice and 30% theory, the graduates of STP Bali are automatically ready to work. STP Bali has also established a standard of curriculum for ASEAN countries, so working overseas in hotel and/or tourism industry would not pose problems for Balinese graduates”.In addition, 65% of its graduates search for job opportunities abroad. To meet this demand, the STP has cooperation with some institutions such as the La Rochelle University (France), University of Queensland (Australia), WELTEC (New Zealand), Hanoi Tourism College (Vietnam) and Nan Nyang Tourism Institute (Singapore). STP Bali also has similar cooperation with other world institutions like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Labour Organization (ILO), the British Council (BC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) and so forth.
To improve the quality of human resources produced, several educational facilities and infrastructures have been completed such as laboratory, hotel for practice, restaurant, kitchen, and so on. “This year, we will establish a sport stadium to support the extra-curricular activities of the students.”
STP Bali offers three programs, namely Tourism Management, Hotel Management and Tour, and Travel Management. Of these three programs, Hotel Management with Diploma IV for Hotel Administration has become the most favoured. Students having completed their studies are expected to become the chairman or top manager at hotel. However, such positions are not easily reached. They have to start their career from the lower level. “It has been proven. Many graduates of the STP Bali have occupied the position of general manager at 1, 2-star and even 5-star hotels both in Bali and outside Bali,” he adds.
This school, located at Bukit Kampial, Jalan Darmawangsa, Nusa Dua also organizes Grand Recruitment through Job Fair. “This activity gives an opportunity to job seekers to choose their workplace in accordance with the requirements of the tourism industry, either at home or overseas” said Sudjana, on the recently held13th Graduation day of the STP Bali.
The Graduation day was attended by the Minister for Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik. 267 graduates from regular and extension program participated. On that occasion, Jero Wacik appealed to the graduates to move forward and work hard to pursue their development. “Do not hesitate to walk into the international arena and obtain as much experience as possible. On returning home, attempt to use this experience to build your country and continue to hold the principle of being proud of the Indonesian culture” the Minister reminded them. (BTN/008)
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The sun, the sea and nothing else
It's the city of the riotous Carnaval; the home of Ipanema and Copacabana, two of the most famous stretches of sand in the world; of butt-floss bikini bottoms and seductive samba. But being neither a sun worshipper nor a heavy-duty reveller, I was immune to Rio de Janeiro’s allure until I hit the celebrated beaches myself.
Oh, there were enough buff and lithe bodies on display to pique anyone’s interest, but what struck me was not the pageant of gorgeous people, but the wizened senior citizens, their skin dark and leathery in their bikinis and swimming trunks, their hair bleached white from sun and age, letting it all just ... hang — cellulite and flaccid flesh be damned.
Almost brazenly, they shared the beach with welltoned volleyball players, sleek surfers and nubile lovelies as if it was their personal playground.
And why not? This sheer exuberance, this joie de vivre seems to be the Brazilian way of life, and it was highly liberating - and infectious.
Carpe diem, baby, and the more cleavage the better.
I, for one, wished I had brought my bikini, though by Brazilian standards of wearing two pieces with just enough cloth to cover one’s vital nubs, my swimming costume would positively be prudish.
This bare-all streak, however, seems incongruous in a country that is the world’s largest Roman Catholic nation; and not all are comfortable with what they see as rising hedonism.
“I just talked to them about religion, about the Pope in Sao Paolo,” reported Solon Braga, an affable 60-something retiree and Rio resident who had offered to show two apprehensive travellers very far from home his city.
“They care about the sea and the sun - and nothing else,” he said dismissively, referring to a trio of statuesque beach loungers with whom he had struck up a conversation.
He unwittingly underscored Pope Benedict’s message to thousands of Brazilian faithful the day before. The Pontiff had decried sexual immorality and the culture of hedonism, and called for moral rectitude in his flock.
Yet, when it comes to Rio’s reputation for violent crime, Solon was first to defend his home.
The city is like New York, he said, or any other major world capital: There are neighbourhoods to avoid and if you keep a low profile, be watchful and don’t flaunt your wealth, you should be fine.
The trick is to be wary. “I have insurance,” Solon declared as he unlocked the heavy-duty clamp on his steering wheel. “Still, I don’t want to lose my car.”
In fact, he was eager to show us the favela — or slum quarter, one of approximately 750 that swarm Rio’s hillsides — beside his home, a lofty villa nestled in a leafy gated community in the Jacarepagua district in the city’s west zone, a 30-minute drive from the city centre.
Sure, the buildings in this favela are dilapidated and clumsily constructed, but on the surface, it looked like any underdeveloped village you’d find in Southeast Asia. Home to 20 per cent of Rio’s residents, the shantytowns reveal a side of Brazilian life that is, before the advent of favela tours, not normally seen by tourists.
“The streets are dirty, but the children are clean,” he pointed out for those who associate Rio’s slums with the violent Brazilian film City of God.
“I know people who have spent entire days here without mishap,” he said proudly.
For all its negative press, there are still many who gravitate towards Rio’s - and indeed Brazil’s — vivacity, laid-back rhythm and heady sex appeal. Every year, the city’s glitzy Carnaval attracts droves of tourists.
We met them when we took the tram up the 709m Corcovado (Hunchback) mountain to gawp at Rio’s iconic monument of Christ the Redeemer, a 30m-high sculpture that towers above the city.
As we jostled with scores of mostly American and European tourists to marvel at the panoramic view, we heard a familiar accent.
A tour guide had assembled her group in front of the monument and was about to snap the photo.
“Okay everybody, say’ ‘Malaysia boleh!’”
Not quite home, but close enough.
Oh, there were enough buff and lithe bodies on display to pique anyone’s interest, but what struck me was not the pageant of gorgeous people, but the wizened senior citizens, their skin dark and leathery in their bikinis and swimming trunks, their hair bleached white from sun and age, letting it all just ... hang — cellulite and flaccid flesh be damned.
Almost brazenly, they shared the beach with welltoned volleyball players, sleek surfers and nubile lovelies as if it was their personal playground.
And why not? This sheer exuberance, this joie de vivre seems to be the Brazilian way of life, and it was highly liberating - and infectious.
Carpe diem, baby, and the more cleavage the better.
I, for one, wished I had brought my bikini, though by Brazilian standards of wearing two pieces with just enough cloth to cover one’s vital nubs, my swimming costume would positively be prudish.
Learning the Lingo English is not widely spoken in Brazil, so invest in a Portuguese phrasebook and familiarise yourself with the language before you go. Note that “r” is often pronounced like “h”, so “real”, the currency of Brazil, sounds like “he-ell”. Popular destinations, such as the ornate tea room Confeiteria Colombo, often have English speakers. |
“I just talked to them about religion, about the Pope in Sao Paolo,” reported Solon Braga, an affable 60-something retiree and Rio resident who had offered to show two apprehensive travellers very far from home his city.
“They care about the sea and the sun - and nothing else,” he said dismissively, referring to a trio of statuesque beach loungers with whom he had struck up a conversation.
He unwittingly underscored Pope Benedict’s message to thousands of Brazilian faithful the day before. The Pontiff had decried sexual immorality and the culture of hedonism, and called for moral rectitude in his flock.
Yet, when it comes to Rio’s reputation for violent crime, Solon was first to defend his home.
The city is like New York, he said, or any other major world capital: There are neighbourhoods to avoid and if you keep a low profile, be watchful and don’t flaunt your wealth, you should be fine.
The trick is to be wary. “I have insurance,” Solon declared as he unlocked the heavy-duty clamp on his steering wheel. “Still, I don’t want to lose my car.”
In fact, he was eager to show us the favela — or slum quarter, one of approximately 750 that swarm Rio’s hillsides — beside his home, a lofty villa nestled in a leafy gated community in the Jacarepagua district in the city’s west zone, a 30-minute drive from the city centre.
|
| A favela in Rio’s Jacarepagua district. Photo by Simon Tan. |
Sure, the buildings in this favela are dilapidated and clumsily constructed, but on the surface, it looked like any underdeveloped village you’d find in Southeast Asia. Home to 20 per cent of Rio’s residents, the shantytowns reveal a side of Brazilian life that is, before the advent of favela tours, not normally seen by tourists.
“The streets are dirty, but the children are clean,” he pointed out for those who associate Rio’s slums with the violent Brazilian film City of God.
“I know people who have spent entire days here without mishap,” he said proudly.
For all its negative press, there are still many who gravitate towards Rio’s - and indeed Brazil’s — vivacity, laid-back rhythm and heady sex appeal. Every year, the city’s glitzy Carnaval attracts droves of tourists.
|
| Rio’s Sugar Loaf, accessible by two cable cars, offers a spectacular view of the city. Photo by Simon Tan. |
As we jostled with scores of mostly American and European tourists to marvel at the panoramic view, we heard a familiar accent.
A tour guide had assembled her group in front of the monument and was about to snap the photo.
“Okay everybody, say’ ‘Malaysia boleh!’”
Not quite home, but close enough.
Virgin Blue calls for Urgent Aviation Sector Action on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey today called on the aviation sector and all organisations which emit green house gases to work actively to 'reduce and report' their efforts to offset and limit emissions as part of Australia's increasing effort to mitigate climate change.
Mr Godfrey delivered an address "Winds of Change" in Perth this morning as part of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Australian Tour. "Airlines and all businesses that emit high levels of greenhouse gas must accept accountability for their damaging by-products," Mr Godfrey said.
"My organisation and all other emitters including Australia's airlines need to ensure they become more efficient, in the interests of continuous improvement in limiting and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions relayed to their activities," he said.
"Importantly we also must encourage Governments to support the introduction of a national carbon trading scheme with clear targets as soon as possible. This is the clearest mechanism available to induce market driven investment in new energy sources. Additionally we need to determine measurable and achievable smaller targets to allow for intervention and correction along the way," Mr. Godfrey said.
"We also see an opportunity for business and Governments to work together on a solution which could offer tax credits and other fiscal incentives to unlock private enterprise in research and development," he said.
Mr Godfrey was invited to provide a business leader's perspective as one of three speakers supporting His Holiness the Dalai Lama's "Spirituality and Sustainability Forum" in Perth conducted in partnership with The Australian Conservation Foundation.
"I am deeply honoured to be invited to participate on an issue which is uppermost in our mind as an airline company and should also be a key management issue for all Australian businesses including airline operators," he said.
The Spirituality and Sustainability Forum, was held between 9.00-11.00am at the Burswood Dome in Perth today, with around 17,000 people in attendance.
The program included presentations from His Holiness The Dalai Lama; Brett Godfrey, CEO Virgin Blue, Professor Ian Lowe, ACF President; and Anna Rose, founder of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is touring Australia between 5 and 16 June 2007, visiting Perth, Geelong, Melbourne, Bendigo, Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney
Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort and Spa
Ritz – Carlton Bali Resort & Spa demikian nama yang disandang hotel yang berada ujung Barat daya pulau Bali tepatnya di Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera Jimabaran, sekitar 15 menit dari Bandara Internasional Ngurah Rai. Lokasinya unik. samudra Indian yang biru terbentang luas dengan kelap-kelip cahaya di siang hari dan sunset di sore hari. Dengan motto “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen” hotel yang memiliki 1000 karyawan ini menyebutkan bahwa servis adalah missi utama mereka.
Tak diragukan memang, dalam penilaian Tri Hita Karana Tourism Award 2006, hotel ini berhasil memperoleh nilai teringgi dalam “pawongan” (hubungan manusia dengan manusia) dalam tiga kali perolehan emas sehingga berhasil menyebet Tropy Emerald tahun 2006. “Kunci sukses sebenarnya ada pada kerja keras, dukungan dan komitmen team kami yang solid,” ungkap David Colin Wilson, General Manager the Ritz Carlton Bali.
“Kami sangat konsisten dengan moto kerja yang kami buat. Saling menghargai yang dalam masyarakat Bali disebut tat wam asi (saya adalah kamu dan kamu adalah saya) menjadi pedoman kami,” ujar Prami Pratiwi Director of Public Relation Ritz-Carlton Bali. Bahkan setiap karyawan memegang suatu pedoman yang disebut dengan Credo card yang berisi visi dan misi hotel yang dibuat dari oleh dan untuk karyawan.
Bahkan demi menjaga keharmonisan hubungan antarkaryawan dan management hotel berbintang 5 dengan luas 77 hektar ini memiliki sebuah lembaga yang disebut dengan “fokus group”. “Fokus Group merupakan sebuah lembaga yang kami bentuk yang memiliki tujuan sebagai jembatan penghubung antarkaryawan dan management. Jadi setiap kritik dan saran akan disampaikan oleh semua chief departemen yang ada yang nantinya akan disampaikan kepada General Manager,” jelasnya.
Meskipun sebagian orang menggangap karyawan Bali sering libur karena banyak memiliki hari raya, namun hotel ini membantah. “Meskipun 90% karyawan berasal dari Bali, namun bukan suatu hambatan bagi kami karena kami memiliki 4 jam kerja. Malahan merupakan salah satu plus point utama hotel mengingat masyarakat Bali terkenal dengan keramah-tamahannya”.
Manariknya setiap akhir bulan hotel yang memiliki Thalasso & Spa terbesar di Asia ini setiap akhir bulan selalu mengadakan acara ulang tahun bagi karyawannya. “Pesta ulang tahun selalu kami lakukan bagi karyawan. Bahkan tak jarang Mr David (GM) yang langsung terjun untuk membuat masakan bagi karyawan yang sedang berHUT,” kata Prami.
Tak ada perbedaan yang diterapkan di hotel ini, tamu, karyawan dan managemen memilki derajat yang sama. Saling menghargai, toleransi, rendah hati, kebersamaan serta menjalankan komitment yang telah disepakati merupakan janji yang dipegang oleh karyawan. “open door policy”. Itulah prinsip yang dipegang mangement demi menjaga hubungan harmonis dengan karyawan sebagai penyedia servis.
(BTN/008)
Tak diragukan memang, dalam penilaian Tri Hita Karana Tourism Award 2006, hotel ini berhasil memperoleh nilai teringgi dalam “pawongan” (hubungan manusia dengan manusia) dalam tiga kali perolehan emas sehingga berhasil menyebet Tropy Emerald tahun 2006. “Kunci sukses sebenarnya ada pada kerja keras, dukungan dan komitmen team kami yang solid,” ungkap David Colin Wilson, General Manager the Ritz Carlton Bali.
“Kami sangat konsisten dengan moto kerja yang kami buat. Saling menghargai yang dalam masyarakat Bali disebut tat wam asi (saya adalah kamu dan kamu adalah saya) menjadi pedoman kami,” ujar Prami Pratiwi Director of Public Relation Ritz-Carlton Bali. Bahkan setiap karyawan memegang suatu pedoman yang disebut dengan Credo card yang berisi visi dan misi hotel yang dibuat dari oleh dan untuk karyawan.
Bahkan demi menjaga keharmonisan hubungan antarkaryawan dan management hotel berbintang 5 dengan luas 77 hektar ini memiliki sebuah lembaga yang disebut dengan “fokus group”. “Fokus Group merupakan sebuah lembaga yang kami bentuk yang memiliki tujuan sebagai jembatan penghubung antarkaryawan dan management. Jadi setiap kritik dan saran akan disampaikan oleh semua chief departemen yang ada yang nantinya akan disampaikan kepada General Manager,” jelasnya.
Meskipun sebagian orang menggangap karyawan Bali sering libur karena banyak memiliki hari raya, namun hotel ini membantah. “Meskipun 90% karyawan berasal dari Bali, namun bukan suatu hambatan bagi kami karena kami memiliki 4 jam kerja. Malahan merupakan salah satu plus point utama hotel mengingat masyarakat Bali terkenal dengan keramah-tamahannya”.
Manariknya setiap akhir bulan hotel yang memiliki Thalasso & Spa terbesar di Asia ini setiap akhir bulan selalu mengadakan acara ulang tahun bagi karyawannya. “Pesta ulang tahun selalu kami lakukan bagi karyawan. Bahkan tak jarang Mr David (GM) yang langsung terjun untuk membuat masakan bagi karyawan yang sedang berHUT,” kata Prami.
Tak ada perbedaan yang diterapkan di hotel ini, tamu, karyawan dan managemen memilki derajat yang sama. Saling menghargai, toleransi, rendah hati, kebersamaan serta menjalankan komitment yang telah disepakati merupakan janji yang dipegang oleh karyawan. “open door policy”. Itulah prinsip yang dipegang mangement demi menjaga hubungan harmonis dengan karyawan sebagai penyedia servis.
(BTN/008)
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