Meet Steven Phillips, the General Manager of Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, as he shares insights into his remarkable journey in the hospitality industry and the unique leadership philosophy driving the resort's success.

COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, LEADING UP TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE AS GENERAL MANAGER AT SEASIDE FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES?

My professional journey into the hospitality industry began in a position at the lowest spectrum of the resort, working my way through different departments and over multi-levels within the organisation in my younger years. Fast forward to adulthood, I had the opportunity to gain rich experience in the industry working with some of the fastest growing, multi-cultural, and international luxury brands in the world including business hotels, golf resorts, and luxury private island resorts. The hospitality profession has taken me all over the world including 10 years in the Maldives, also London, Japan, Malta, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi.

AS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF SEASIDE FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES, WHAT LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY DO YOU FOLLOW TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH OPERATION AND EXCEPTIONAL GUEST EXPERIENCE AT THE RESORT?

The coaching approach is key for me because it is focused on openness, curiosity, collaboration, and support of others. I strive to develop people through coaching and mentoring, in addition to allowing them to be themselves, and empowering each individual to be confident in front of guests to let their personality shine.

Encouraging each individual in the team to bespoke their way of handling guests, to delight and surprise them, as each guest is different, and this naturally creates an authentic guest experience that comes from the heart. An adaptive and proactive approach to a smooth operation, as opposed to a rigid service standard coming from a well-established and structured international chain.

WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT WORKING IN THE MALDIVES HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND HOW DOES SEASIDE FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES EMBODY THE UNIQUE CHARM OF THIS DESTINATION?

We are in the people business. Therefore, I would say it’s the people. I am referring to not just the warm disposition of the local community but also finding the mix of people from different cultures and backgrounds with the right attitude and personality.

The most rewarding sight for me is to see our islanders engaging with not just the guests but also fellow islanders (employees). Taking time to connect with one another.

With one of the lowest turnover in the Maldives, we have over 380 islanders living on the island. Challenges faced amongst islanders are often quickly rectified. Comfortable living conditions are important for all living on the island.

With many resorts around and more opening, competition is tough, and islanders have many options to choose from. We take pride in seeing the number of people wanting to come back to us, even after leaving for a better opportunity or new learning experience. It means we have done something right. Keeping them here and motivated is very rewarding.

Maldives is a special place with many unique selling points (USPs), and the opening of a new ultra-luxury project serves as an additional motivation for the team, seeing them being motivated by different factors all around, is also something truly rewarding for me.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE KEY FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF LUXURY RESORTS IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE MARKET?

Transparency. Innovation. Continuous growth. Giving back to the community, nature, and stakeholders.

CAN YOU SHARE A MOMENT OR ACHIEVEMENT DURING YOUR TENURE AT SEASIDE FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES THAT YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF? HOW DID IT IMPACT THE RESORT’S REPUTATION OR GUEST SATISFACTION?

Seeing the transition of the resort’s positioning of being known as the party island in the Maldives before, and fast forward to what it is today.

WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LUXURY TRAVEL, AND HOW DO YOU ENVISION SEASIDE FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES EVOLVING TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS AND PREFERENCES OF DISCERNING TRAVELLERS?

Driving the business in a difficult marketplace. In terms of the maintenance of the ecology of the natural environment and sustainability of the business, it is the responsibility of the operator to ensure we are doing the best we can, and more for sustainability. We are looking forward to having solar panels in place, which will ultimately be running the power for the upcoming project. We are involving children and adults alike to create more awareness about the effects of the changing environment. The guests of the future are going to be more demanding as they become savvier and aware of what’s happening with the environment. Hence, we need to get the fundamentals of luxury right from the beginning.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING AND WORKING IN THE MALDIVES, AND HOW DOES THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE ISLANDS INFLUENCE YOUR DAILY LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL DECISIONS?

It’s all about the people. The natural beauty of Maldives is an ecstasy that one cannot get enough of, and this has been for me in the last nineteen years on and off. As the sun is a natural vitamin D, the Maldives is also its own form of vitamin D. If ever a day comes where I ignore what I see around me and am no longer appreciative of the natural beauty of the environment, is the day I would leave the Maldives never to return.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WORK-LIFE BALANCE IN A DEMANDING ROLE LIKE GENERAL MANAGER, AND WHAT ACTIVITIES OR HOBBIES DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK?

Work-life balance on an island is more crucial to anyone living and working in the city, as we are constantly on the job when the entire resort team is in one community for work and leisure. My go-to would be taking short breaks in between meetings and connecting with guests throughout the day are essential moments of private time for me to refresh.

Besides keeping active by biking around the island, walking an average of 12,000 steps, and having fun at work with what I do, to maintain a work-life balance. I enjoy spending some time connecting with our Assistant Director of Branding and Marketing, who is a long-time friend, over lunch every second Sunday on a lazy afternoon, just chatting about things that are not work-related. Taking a dip in the turquoise blue waters we have at our doorstep to explore the marine biodiversity we have in our backyard is also something I do occasionally, which is a true luxury that many others can only imagine.

CAN YOU SHARE A PIECE OF ADVICE OR INSIGHT THAT HAS GUIDED YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS AIMING TO REACH LEADERSHIP POSITIONS?

As important as education in college with courses on the management aspect of hospitality with a bachelor's or a master’s degree, life experience through on-the-job training is something far more valuable. A beginning to the career and more so a way of life, is getting into positions that are construed to be the baseline of an individual’s skills development for managerial positions in the future.

LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF SEASIDE FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES, BOTH IN TERMS OF GUEST EXPERIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY?

We are very much anticipating new facilities at Seaside Finolhu and the upcoming new ultra-luxury property. For guests’ experience, it’s the team that makes the experience.

Sustainability is a continuous effort at Seaside Finolhu, and owners are committed to further driving towards protecting the environment. More than that, to involve and support people in the local community. Sustainability is something close to my heart, I’m off the grid when I am at home in Mauritius, putting things into practice, and giving back in many ways that I can to the environment.

With a focus on guest satisfaction and environmental sustainability, we envision a bright future for Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, blending luxury with ecological responsibility to create unforgettable experiences for travelers worldwide.