Key appointments across Maldives resorts this week.
Resort: Paradise Island
Position: Resort Manager
Appointee: Mohamed Iujaz Zuhair
As a part of strengthening our leadership team to drive our next phase of growth and expansion, we have appointed young and dynamic Maldivian national Mr. Mohamed Iujaz as the new Resort Manager of Paradise Island Resort and Spa.
With hospitality experience spanning more than ten years in international and domestic hotel operations, Iujaz brings a wealth of experience focusing on outstanding levels of guest service and developing market performance in quality and growth-focused environments. Iujaz’s appointment as the Resort Manager of Paradise Island will witness him in an all-encompassing role that makes a significant and positive contribution to our resort operations, especially at this vital time of new rebranding and transformational journey for Villa Hotels & Resorts.
Before joining Villa Hotels & Resorts, Iujaz worked in different capacities in hotels in Seychelles, Kuala Lumpur, and the Maldives operated by world-renowned brands including Hilton Worldwide, Four Seasons Resort, and Jumeirah. Iujaz believes that one of his core strengths is his focus on the customer service experience, genuinely engaged in providing guests with the best-in-class service, and ensuring guests have memorable experiences during their stay.
Further, the General Managers and Resort Managers of all Villa Hotels & Resorts are locals as of the moment. Therefore, Iujaz’s addition aligns with our mission to develop talented locals who positively impact our group and Maldivian society.
Resort: Dusit Thani
Position: Director of Revenue
Appointee: Vinod Mathew
An internationally-minded professional, Mathew speaks English, French, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil. He earned his Bachelor’s in Tourism and Travel Management at the University of Kerala, India, followed by a Master’s in Tourism and Hotel Management at the University of Perpignan, France, and an MBA at Institut Vatel in Nimes, France.
No stranger to globe-trotting, Mathew began his career managing financial teams at hotels in Dubai and the Seychelles. He moved to The Maldives in 2017 as Cluster Revenue Manager for LUX* Resorts and Hotels, before moving to Bangkok to be Corporate Director of Revenue Development for Centara Hotels & Resorts.
He brings a wealth of experience to Dusit Thani Maldives, where he’ll oversee revenue management and distribution strategy and work closely with the resort’s department heads to embed a revenue management culture.
Mathew’s appointment has delighted General Manager Thomas Weber, who said, “We’re looking forward to seeing big changes in our revenue structure, which will elevate our property to an even higher level.”
Resort: Malahini Kuda Bandos
Position: Commercial Director
Appointee: Sonika Adlakha
Sonika Adlakha will be responsible for generating topline revenue for the property by securing new accounts, maintaining existing ones and executing sales strategies in the resort’s transition to upscale the brand.
She will be reporting to Mr. Easa Mohamed, General Manager, Malahini Kuda Bandos with a dotted line to Ms. Zeeshan Shihab, Executive Director of Malahini Holdings Private Limited. Sonika brings over two decades of hospitality experience and has previously worked with Outrigger Konotta (Maldives), Sun Siyam Resorts (Maldives and Sri Lanka), Al-Nahda Resorts and Spa and Dunes by Al-Nahda (Oman), Las Vegas Sands Corporation (Singapore and Macau), Shangri-la Hotel & Resorts (India) and InterContinental Group (India). With three major international pre- openings under her belt, she previously managed operations in Front Office and Housekeeping as well.
Hailing from the capital of India, Delhi, Sonika graduated in Hospitality Management from M.S.Ramaiah University in Bangalore, before doing her Master’s in Business Administration from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies in Pune, India. Sonika joins from Outrigger Konotta Maldives, where she held the role of Director of Sales and Marketing.
Talking about her new role as the Commercial Director, Easa Mohamed said, “I am delighted to welcome Sonika to the team. She will oversee growth initiatives and innovative campaigns, expand the resort’s clientele, amplify international sales efforts and lead multi-faceted marketing and PR initiatives. I’m confident that the brand and our keenly anticipated upgrade of the resort will benefit from her wealth of knowledge and commercial acumen.”
Sharing her excitement, Sonika said, “It’s a privilege to be a part of Malahini Kuda Bandos, and to lead the team during its transition — there are a lot of exciting changes in-store. Their culinary trail explores new flavours with two upcoming restaurants — Italian and BBQ Grill Hut. We will also be adding 22 Sunrise Beach Pool Villas in Phase 1, and 9 Sunset Beach Pool Suites in Phase II. That’s not all, the refreshed aqua look-and-feel of the villas will surely mesmerize their guest’s seeking tranquility and luxury. Going ahead, wellness will play a key role for the brand and some of the permanent in-house features will include Aerial Yoga and personal care. The future is limitless!” When not indulging in work, Sonika loves exploring marine life, as a certified diver and her fitness routine and a sustainable lifestyle!
