TODAY

Though no spectacular change has been in sight following the country’s new economic order there is visibly one segment already reaping the benefits–the hotels and tourist industry. Most of the hotels in Myanmar are usually tull so that foreign investors planning their business fact-trading trips often have to make sure they can make advance booking. To help the growith     of Myanmar’s tourist trade and to facilitate foreign investment the FDI Hotels Committee was formed in May 2012 with the Inya Lake Hotel General Myanmar  Mr Suki Singh in the  chair.

The following are excerpts from an interview with him.

Educational  background . . .

Economics/ Political Science and Hotel Management from Vienna, Austria.

Work Experience . . .

Held several senior management positions in Austria, Bulgaria, and    more recently Chief Operating Officer of GHM in Singapore, www.ghmhotels.com covering a hotel portfolio from USA, Europe, The Middle East and Asia, Managing Director of Myanmar Hotels International (Strand/Inya Lake/ Thamada).

Advantages of working in Hotel Industry . . .

The hotel industry is a service business that allows one to be exposed to people from all nationalities and diverse ethnic, cultural and professional backgrounds. It allows one to travel to the four corners of the globe and experience different countries, religions and people. A fulfilling and exciting profession offering extensive exposure on a professional and personal basis.

Your outlook for Myanmar tourism industry . . .

Myanmar’s Tourism Industry is in its most dynamic period of the last 15 years. There is a strong interest in all corners of the world in visiting Myanmar and its amazing treasures, historical, geographical and last but by no means the least, the hospitable, warm and kind people. We can expect exponential growth over the next decade. It is a ‘golden era‘, Myanmar has a ubiquitous presence across our plant at the present time.

Your professional advice for entrepreneurs who want to start running a 5 star hotel

It is important to develop a hotel like any other business in a methodical fashion with adequate resources and proper planing. Location, infrastructure, fit out, human resources, marketing and management need to be given the utmost attention. If the business is set up and marketed properly always keeping contemporary industry trends and best practices in mind, success will be a natural result .

Country of origin and how different from here esp in working atmosphere

I was born in Lhasa (Tibet) and grew up all over the world and as such do not have a concept of ‘home‘. Myanmar is the country where I have lived the longest and I feel very comfortable here. I am a Buddhist and cherish and respect the Myanmar culture, its friendly people. If there were to be a home for me, it would be in Myanmar. Working environments vary from country to country and reflect the culture of the people one works with. In Myanmar people tend to be gentle, kind and do not speak their mind. In western countries people are much more direct and express emotions very freely. I am not sure what is better, I guess both aspects have positive and negative attributes/consequences.

Countries you have been to and your favorite ones

I have traveled extensively all across the world and I do not really have a favorite place as such. Every country has unique characteristics and I feel comfortable in all kinds of locations. From the point of view of where I like to live, I have to repeat myself and say Myanmar.

Your faith and how far you believe in it and how you spend your time for it

I am a Buddhist and have been practicing Vipassana Meditation for the past 12 years. I believe in causality  cause and effect. I believe that all our actions bear consequences and we have to therefore make correct choices. We need to respect each other and live with awareness of our environment and all sentient beings. I have been to several meditation retreats and I recommend that every one should try and practice mindfulness.

When is the best time to visit your native land

As I consider Myanmar my native land, I guess every one knows that the months of Nov/Dec and Janury are great times to come to the Golden.

Where you have been and which one you want to go again and again

I have traveled around Myanmar quite  a lot and my favorite places are the Myeik Ar­chipelago with its unspoit islands, I love  Bagan Inle, Kalaw and Pyin Oo Lwin as well.

How you value you family

A family is an anchor in one’s life and needs to be cherished, loved and nurtured. Often our hectic professional life prevents us from spending adequate time with our loved ones. I believe this is a mistake that I also make frequently. However, I try and spend as much time as possible with my family.

How you balance your work and life . . .

I work a bit too much but in order to bring some balance I walk our two dogs twice a day and swim every morning at 0600 am for 30 mins.

Which one your think is the most important to balance so . . .

If we are mindful and live in constant awareness, we will always be balanced. However, this is often utopian given the challenges of modern life but whenever I can, I try to practice awareness and mindfulness, it is really a lifetime challenge and the path to salvation.

Your hobby, interest, favorite motto . . .

I like sports, running, swimming and walking. My motto is ” ”Today do something to lift your spirits … help a fellow human being.”