TODAY

Biography in brief…
Michael Schaible, 36 years old, born and raised in Germany, married with one son. In his free time he likes to travel, also off the tourist paths. Understanding unfamiliar cultures and habits, fine food and hotels as well as sports activities are a few interests to mention. He got introduced to sailing by his grandfather as a boy who owned a Pirate and took his brothers and him out on a lake in Germany. He does not consider himself ambitious in sailing he still enjoys the move on the water.

Educational background…
Back in native Germany I studied and graduated in Hotel Management and started with a vocational training in a 4-star-plus city hotel where I firstly got an in-depth impression with all operational and most administrative depart-ments of a 321- rooms hotel.

Club management/Work Experience…
I started my first job in the hotel sector in 1998. My career took me from different hotels in Germany to London. Making a strategic decision to create an international career I moved onwards to Beijing. I was confirmed that Asia is a very different but fantastic place to work, especially in terms of work experience. Opening a boutique hotel in the centre of Beijing just ahead of the Olympic Games as Assistant General Manager was challenging and rewarding. Going through the opening of a hotel is a bit like seeing a baby growing up, with all the hurdles and nice moments. For a good opportunity I moved to Qatar as Hotel & Club Manager from 2009 to 2012 before going back to China for a year. In June 2013 I arrived in Yangon with a new challenge in my luggage: the opening of Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina.

Roles & responsibilities as a Yacht Club GM…
As General Manager of Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina I basically carry the same responsibilities as a GM of a beach resort. Since our core business is to accommodate and pamper all those who are seeking for a relaxed and memorable vacation time. In brief: my job is to make our guests happy, motivate and lead 150 employees plus to strategically ensure the financial success.

Facilities and room occupancy at NSYC…
Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina operates a 4-star-plus resort with 134 guest rooms in four different room types (hotel rooms and bun-galows). Moreover we operate two restaurants, one bar, the first nightclub-cum-karaoke in Ngwe Saung, a state-of-the-art fitness room, business centre, professional Spa. Last but not least all our guests can enjoy the outdoor pool and extensive beach area. During the SEA Games we have been fully occupied. Now we are completing all facilities and additional 39 guest rooms while operating on a lower occupancy. From this February onwards Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina will be offering its guests the full offer of outlets and facilities.
Room rate range…
The room rate in Ngwe Saung Yacht Club vary between the seasons and room types: High Season (October to May): USD 230 – 380, Peak Season (December 20 to January 07 and during Water Festival): USD 260 – 400, Low Season (June to September): USD 150 – 290. For specials and details our web site will be helpful (www.ngwesaungyachtclub.com).

Boat rental service…
Renting boats to our guests and even offering guided tours, including skipper, are a future plan. Since Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina is cooperating very closely with Myanmar Yachting Federation this is one of the unique advantages which we will develop.

Uniqueness of NSYC…
Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina is the first yacht club on Myanmar’s coastline. At the same time we have proven to be able to host international level sailing events. Also for sun seekers our resort is a perfect option: quietness directly on one of South East Asia’s longest sandy beaches.

Any membership programmes…
Currently we have not implemented any membership program. We offer our services to everybody, regardless of being member or sailor – or not.

Experience with SEA Games, what you could and what you couldn’t…
During the SEA Games we have successfully hosted the national sailing and windsurfing teams from six countries (Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand). Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina has contri-buted to a successful and fair competition and provided a home for the athletes. Since the time frame ahead of the SEA Games was tight we did not operate all facilities. This we are rectifying now.

How you notice local taste and how to adjust NSYC service to suit with that taste?
The integration of local culture is an important point which we maintain at NSYC. It is not only that we offer local food. NSYC also employs a considerable amount of staff from the surround-ing area (around 30 percent). This is not only fair to the neighborhood but also what our guests appreciate. In our young resort we have the chance to easily integrate local taste and we do it.

2014 prospect of hotel industry at Ngwe Saung and in the whole country…
Ngwe Saung has the potential to become a major beach resort with international import-ance. The offer of hotels and guesthouses is increasing rapidly as well as the standards. Currently the major hurdle is the long travel time: the road trip from Yangon takes five hours and the airport in Pathein does not serve for commercial flights. I still believe the numbers of tourists in Ngwe Saung will increase at least 10 percent annually in the coming years.Myanmar is definitely an upcoming tourism destination. Here we find unique untouched landscape and many different cultural signa-tures due to the many ethnic groups. From this point of view Myanmar is a perfect country for individualists who want to experience authentic life on the unbeaten track.

Promoting tourism through sailing sports…
Sailing is a fantastic sport but surely not for everybody. We have to promote this niche market for all those who are looking for both perfect sailing conditions and a nice place to stay. One of the best and most efficient promotions so far was the SEA Games event,of course: mouth-to -mouth propaganda and media presence. Interna-tionally we can only be promoted with the right partners in travel and tour industry as well as in the sailing tourism sector. By hosting events we draw attention to the circle of sailing enthusiasts. And you never know: maybe some non-sailing guests staying with us find a new passion.

Upgrading NSYC to international level…
International level can only be achieved by maintaining international hotel standards. This starts with the rooms where you have to find certain amenities and continue with the food and beverage outlets where fine products are linked with fine service. In all departments and facilities within NSYC the same applies. Steady maintenance is required in order to avoid fast ageing: Salt water and moisture are common problems in seaside resorts. The most important factor is well trained, groomed and motivated employees.

Future plan for NSYC . . .
Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina is now officially open for the public and warmly welcoming friends both of sailing sports and relaxed vacation from all over the world. The next step after the successful SEA Games is to establish NSYC as a well-known and well reputed destination in the region.

How long going to stay with this Club?
I have determined not only to assist with the opening of Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Marina but also move the resort through the current upgrade towards being the best resort in Ngwe Saung Beach. I want to be part of the success story so I am planning to stay here for a while.

Favorite books & authors…
I recently enjoyed “The Way I See It” from U Hla Min, an ex-Colonel of the Myanmar Armed Forces. This book is just perfect as it provides a good picture of previous and current Myanmar in terms of people, culture and politics. I can recommend this book to all foreigners who are interested in Myanmar but do not have the time and patience to read “The Glass Palace” from Amitav Ghosh. One of my favorites is the action novel “The Affair” from British author Lee Child.

Favorite foods and view on Myanmar food…
It is really difficult to decide on my favorite food. Since I have spent some years in different regions in Asia I rather have several preferred dishes. Generally speaking I prefer salty rather than sweet and I am a friend of grilled meat. The Myanmar food is very special and not only a mix of Chinese, Indian and Thai cuisines like some people previously described it to me. I love the fresh seafood, especially in Ngwe Saung area. The tea leaf & nut salad (leq-p’eq thouq) is fantastic if it is not too spicy. Whenever it has to go fast I go for Shan noodles with pork: simple and tasty.

Next five year plan…
It is very difficult to make an exact prognosis for five years when you work in the hotel business. In any case I will continue with what I am doing right now: providing hospitality expertise and growing into additional challenges and responsibilities.