AIHM’s Head of Student Engagement, Samantha Lauver-Marion, sat down with Ross Sanders, the General Manager at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, to chat about careers in hospitality and the AIHM Scholarship in Honor of Dr. Maniku. This competitive, full scholarship is available to Maldivian students who are interested in pursuing a career in global hospitality management.
Read their conversation below for advice, insights and thoughts about Dr. Maniku’s legacy in the Maldives.
What Does a Hospitality Career Look Like: Twists, Turns and New Discoveries
Samantha: Thank you so much for joining us today to talk about the great opportunity we have for Maldivian scholars to consider pursuing a degree in hospitality management here with us at AIHM. Could you tell our readers about your career journey? What steps did you take on your path before you became the General Manager at the gorgeous Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas?
Ross: Like a lot of hospitality professionals, I’ve had a career that’s taken me around the world, and I haven’t hesitated to go after any exciting opportunities that came my way. Back in 2003, I received an opportunity to join the Guest Relations team on a private island resort in Malaysia. I couldn’t say no. Initially, I thought I’d only be away from the U.K. for a year, but 19 years later, here I am. I went from that resort to the Ritz Carlton in Kuala Lumpur and then to the Marriott there, and that was just the beginning. Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to a breadth of roles in different destinations—at both city hotels and resorts in the rooms division, reservations, business development, sales and marketing. Some of these areas were exciting and some weren’t my favourite; throughout my time, I’ve gained insights about a variety of facets of the hospitality industry, and I’ve been able to discover my personal passions. Around six years ago, I joined Minor as the General Manager leading the team at the beautiful Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, which was phenomenal. I’ve been at Anantara Kihavah for about four years now, and it’s incredible. It’s probably one of the most beautiful islands on planet and one of the best hotels I’ve ever worked with, so it’s a privilege to have spent so much time here.
Samantha: For students who are interested in a career in the global hospitality industry, hearing about your journey is going to be very inspiring. When you hear a story like yours, a really important takeaway for students and professionals is that there are twists and turns as you build your career. It’s not a linear path. There are also full-circle moments when you’re able to give back some of the kindness that has been extended to you by supporting your team and community. You’ve got to put in the work and lean into the opportunities that present themselves because you never know where they’re going to eventually take you.
Ross: Yes, a key message for students is that you can grow faster by moving and taking opportunities, including ones that other people might not take so easily or that aren’t necessarily exactly what you want to do. It’s doing those kinds of things in remote places and unusual positions that allow you to move up faster and learn more quickly. You also have a chance to get promoted in a much shorter timeline. That isn’t always possible in destinations outside Asia. So, I think it’s the best place to be to build a career. That’s why I’ve stayed in Asia for close to 20 years.
Samantha: Very well said. It’s important to know that life doesn’t look like it does in the movies. It’s not going to be a straight path, and taking the road less travelled is going to allow for more growth and development rather than going on a path that’s already been paved for you.
Ross: Yes, one hundred percent and sometimes the jobs that seem like they really don’t suit you are the ones that give you the most growth, the most learning and the most value.
.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=AIHM_Scholarships_(1040x1040).jpg)
The Maldives and Beyond: Making the Leap
Samantha: How would you encourage the young leaders in the Maldives who are considering this scholarship opportunity? What is your advice for them if they’re considering leaving their home, the Maldives, for the first time and going to a completely new place like Bangkok?
Ross: Leaving home and travelling are some of the best educational experiences you can give yourself. Being out of your normal environment forces you to learn new life skills which you won’t fully experience in an academic environment in your home country. One of the most beneficial life skills you can gain is being independent. Forming your own character and challenging yourself in different ways will allow you to expand your horizons. The Maldives is not the biggest country in the world so opportunities can be slightly limited. When you get out into the wider world, you can make connections, network and meet new people. You can get excited about different foods, cultures and travelling. Expanding your horizons, learning more about life and what’s happening in the world is invaluable, along with obviously getting a fantastic qualification that you can take to work and live in any country in the world. When you pair a great education with international experience you will have so many career choices in the world of hospitality. For me, a huge part of my development was moving away, being independent and having to work things out for myself. I think making the leap to a new place is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Inspired by Dr. Maniku
Samantha: We want to encourage our students at AIHM to take these chances to explore the world and create their own impact in the industry. Speaking of someone who made a huge impact in the Maldives, could you tell us in your own words about Dr. Maniku, the person in whose honour the scholarship was created?
Ross: Dr. Maniku was one of the pioneers of tourism into the Maldives. He did a lot for the country to support tourism, and he certainly put the Maldives on the map and helped to transform life for Maldivian people. When I talk to some of my team members about their lives growing up, sometimes they didn’t have electricity; they didn’t have the basic things that everybody takes for granted now. Dr. Maniku is the father of tourism in the Maldives. I had the privilege to meet him once. He showed us around Nautilus, the last resort that he built. In that afternoon we spent together, he was so proud of his achievements but also very humble, warm and intelligent. He was a pioneer of the industry not only in the Maldives but of luxury hotels in general.
Samantha: It’s such an honour for us to be able to offer this scholarship to students in the Maldives in his memory and to continue developing the young talent in such an amazing country. When you consider education, why do you think this is an important area to focus on when developing the Maldives and the hospitality industry in this part of the world?
Ross: It goes back to what I mentioned earlier, tourism is a vehicle. The more educated you are, the more opportunities you can see. You’ll be able to contribute more to society. You’ll help other people to develop. You will be a leader that people look to for inspiration. Getting a formal education and learning overseas is very character building. We know that AIHM graduates will come back to the Maldives and make a positive impact on their own communities by helping other people to grow and develop. There’s a lot of talent in the Maldives, and hospitality is a highly respected profession that people aspire towards. We’re also seeing more General Managers who are Maldivian, which is great.
Why AIHM?
Samantha: It’s incredible for young leaders to be able to look to these executives and aspire to be able to hold a similar role someday. Can you tell us how could students who complete their studies at AIHM might expect to grow within the hospitality industry?
Ross: AIHM students would definitely have an advantage. They’ve already proven that they have the intelligence and dedication to learn. If they continue the hard work as they begin their careers post AIHM, they’ll have a wealth of opportunities. The possibilities to continually get promoted and to move around are great, and that’s the thing with Minor Hotels. We have more than 500 properties throughout the world, and there is unlimited potential for growth for the people who are willing and able to grow. We’re always looking for talent. We’re always looking for the best people. We’re growing so quickly that there are always chances for young people to step up and stretch rather than waiting for too long to be promoted. We’re a young, dynamic, energetic company that will promote talent regardless of age if they have the capability and the attitude. Having the qualification of a degree in global hospitality management from AIHM gives students a head start. It provides a formal base of knowledge in lots of different areas that you might not get exposed to if you were just starting at the bottom and stuck in one department. One thing I would like to see more of is people gaining more cross-exposure overseas—so they can see different things, learn from new people and also appreciate that what we have in the Maldives is phenomenal.
Samantha: Yes, when you study at AIHM, you have a chance to experience all the different aspects of the hotel industry and all the different departments that you could potentially work within after you graduate. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students who are interested in this industry but aren’t yet sure where exactly they want to put their focus. To be a leader in any capacity, regardless of what you choose eventually to focus on, it’s important to have a holistic view of the entirety of the operations so that when you are leading, you are able to connect with people in all the different areas and support them to achieve their goals. Having this mindset is one way to continue to see success as an individual and as part of a larger team. Students who want to have a hands-on learning experience can find this at AIHM. They have the chance study the variety of fields and departments within hospitality. That multifaceted experience is such a vital stepping stone to their future career.
Ross: Yes, absolutely. Try everything and decide what you like; then do that at the highest possible level.
The Power of the Maldives and Imagining the Future of Hospitality
Samantha: How do you think that the Maldives has shaped the hospitality industry?
Ross: Having travelled a lot throughout the world, I think the concentration of ultra-luxury resorts is the highest in the Maldives, and the quality of what we’re able to deliver here is spectacular. There is a focus on innovation to always stand out. We push the boundaries of luxury. Whether it’s a treehouse restaurant or an underwater wine cellar, over-water villas or an observatory, the opportunities for creating amazing new things are unlimited. We can do this because we have the kind of guests who are willing to pay for these experiences. It’s an exciting place to work. The Maldives has certainly pushed the rest of the world up in terms of luxury.
Samantha: I know what you mean. When I first arrived in the Maldives for my internship, my eyes were opened to the level of luxury that’s possible. The ability for us to be creative in the Maldives and in Minor Hotels as an organisation is endless. It’s exciting to think about how this young generation is going to impact the industry. They’re so creative. The world of hospitality and beyond will continue to be made better by their unique skills and imaginations, in ways we haven’t even dreamt of yet.
In closing, what are the last words of advice you would like share with anyone who is thinking about applying for this scholarship?
Ross: If this is something you want to do, understand that hospitality isn’t an easy career. It takes so much work behind the scenes to deliver amazing experiences for guests. However, if your passion is people and your passion is to create magic, to share the beauty of the world with people and generally to make people happy, then you’re in the right place. You’ll have so many options to try different things and discover yourself in the process. Students will also have opportunities to travel and explore the world. The people you meet on that journey make it so exciting. If you’re motivated and clear on your own values, go for it. The efforts and sacrifices you make will pay off long-term, and you’ll reap the benefits of a fantastic career.
This programme is sponsored by Niyama Private Islands Maldives and Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of over 75,000 rooms across more than 520 hotels, resorts and serviced suites.
__________________________________________
Apply for an AIHM Scholarship in Honour of Dr. Maniku
Scholarship applications are open now until 13 February 2023. Apply now.
