TODAY

The Strand Hotel is one of the  British-colonial buildings still standing  intact in Yangon. Built in 1901, it was renovated  in 1920 and 1930. The following is an interview with Didier Belmonte, now serving as General Manager of the Strand Hotel.

Would you please introduce yourself to us?
My name is Didier Belmonte, a Frenchman from the south of France. I graduated in 1987 from the Hospitality school. Then I went to England and Germany for work experience and language study. So I can speak English and German. French is my mother tongue.

How do you feel about being GM at the Strand?
It’s a great honour to be GM at this hotel, a building in British-colonial style, a 112 – year – old building well-known in South-East Asia.

Is hotel job the job of your dream?
It is. In fact, it’s been my passion.

Did you ever come to Myanmar before? Before coming to Myanmar, have you ever learnt about this country?
This is my first time in Myanmar. Before I came here, I worked in Malaysia and Indonesia. I did not know much about Myanmar except about the Strand. I’d had to learn about this country through the Internet.

How’s your stay in Myanmar—as regards say, climate, culture?
While I was working in Bali, not far away from Myanmar, some of my Myanmar friends told me about Myanmar. Myanmars, like the Balinese, are frank and friendly. It’s a very good thing for Myanmar to be a neighbour of China, India, Thailand and Bangladesh. In Myanmar there’re lots of interesting things to learn about. I do not feel any particular bad effect of the climate in Myanmar, because I’ve been used to different climatic conditions in different countries such as the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia. As regards culture, I’m still studying it. Cultural differences are no problem for me, I’ve worked in so many different cultural environments.

How’s your social life here in Myanmar?
Over a period of more than two years I’d had to make lots of changes for myself, trying to adapt myself to the new social environment and I find that delightful. I ‘m glad to have the opportunity of seeing reforms taking place in this country without any kind of revolution breaking out.

Countries you like best before coming to Myanmar?
Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Dubai, Bermuda, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and France are countries I like. Places I like best are Bermuda where I had a great time about 23 years ago. I also had a wonderful time in Dubai in 1999. It’s also a wonderful experience for me to be with Myanmar people in these changing times.

Places you’ve been to here in Myanmar?
Bagan, Inlay and Twante. Bagan is an interesting place, and Inlay is full of wonders. Cultural heritage at Bagan is a source of delightful inspiration.

At what particular time do you miss your family?
I rarely feel a longing for my family back home, because since 1987 I’ve been travelling on business away from home. I believe one should try to make a success of one’s own chosen career.

What’s your impression of your Myanmar colleagues?
They’re interesting. I’ve known them since my days in Dubai. Frankly, I sometimes find some difficultly in communicating with them Anyway, I find them hard-working. Their hospitality and friendliness are just amazing. It’s the kind of hospitality and friendliness you can’t expect in some countries in the West.

How do you go about management in the new working environment?
I think it impossible to adapt the European management style here in Myanmar. I have to adapt my management style to the way things are here . Myanmar is now striving hard for a modern developed nation. As I’ve said, there’s some difficulty in communicating with my Myanmar colleagues. It, far instance, I say something, they would cast a bewildered look at me, as it they could not understand what I meant to say, until I wrote it down on paper. That’s all because between us there’re some differences in pronouncing the same words in English. In such a situation just writing down what I mean to say works fine for us.

What do you think of Myanmar’s IT sector?
It’s something of a challenge to Myanmar. Myanmar IT needs greater effort for improve-ment. Telephone and internet connection is still rather too slow. I often find it more convenient to get something done by personal contact than by using the Internet.

Do you think that now is the right time for foreign business people to invest in Myanmar?
Yes, I think so. Now is the best time for them, but they’ll have to have a thorough understanding of the country’s investment laws. Last year many investors came in, but only a few of them made investment.

What impact do you think Myanmar’s political changes can have on its hotel industry?
The changes have been very good for all the people in Myanmar. I think Myanmar eco-nomy has improved so fast following Hillary Clinton’s visit here and that improvement should be extended to the rural areas in equal measure.

How do you spend your leisure hours?
I play soccer with some of my colleagues by the side of the Inya Lake.

What’s your motto, please?
Think positively and look for the positive sides of things.

Please let us know something about your family?
My parents and my sister are living in France. I’m still single.

Which places of interest in Myanmar would you recommend for foreign visitors to Myanmar?
Positive changes are taking place in Myanmar. I’d like to invite foreigners to visit Myanmar, a country with interesting things to see and good opportunities for business.
Thank you for your time.