Face-to-Face: Pascal Billon
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This week we chat to Pascal Billon, general manager of the brand new private island resort, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort…
Q) Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort welcomed its first guests on 1 August; was everything prepared for the opening?
Yes, operating procedures, signature Indian Ocean and regional menus and a wide range of experiences and activities are all in place. We opened on 1 August as planned with guests staying that day. Initial support for the property seems to be quite strong from Asian markets.
Q) What are you planning to offer guests that differentiates Outrigger from other luxury resorts in the Maldives?
Three things: Firstly, lots of space. One of the unique points is our luxury of space with 24 entry-level Beach Pool Villas at 211m², seven Two-Bedroom Pool Villas at 282m², 21 Ocean Pool Villas at 225m² and the Presidential Villa at 600m². Secondly, the indoor hydro pool in our Navasana spa can accommodate more than 14 pax and allows you to swim.
And finally, Ke ‘Ano Wa’a – the Outrigger Way. This is our values-led approach of management and hosts that defines the holiday experience as being made up of guest, host and place and our respect for local culture. The result is guest satisfaction levels at Outrigger Resorts tend to outshine other resorts in our competitive set.
Q) Where do you expect the majority of the resort’s guests to come from, and what are you doing to cater for the needs of different nationalities?
About 50% will be from the Asia Pacific region, with key markets being China, Korea and Japan.
Our guest services team are multi-lingual. Our in-house information is in Mandarin and Japanese as well as English. Maldives is a cultural crossroads. Accordingly, our food, the background of our hosts and our attitudes are international and multi-cultural. Outrigger guests who stay with us in the Maldives can expect the best of locally-inspired hospitality and international standards.
Q) What kind of environmental initiatives are you undertaking to protect the island?
We will have a reef tour with a marine biologist. Soon after opening, we will unveil marine environment initiatives that are consistent with Outrigger’s company-wide marine protection and awareness program called OZONE. Outrigger company history draws on the expertise of island wisdom. The welfare of the marine environment is central to our being.
Q) Following this launch, are you planning any further new additions or developments in future?
Outrigger is on a journey to become the “premier beachfront resort brand in the world.” Accordingly, we are looking to acquire equity positions in idyllic beachfront properties in iconic locations. Bali, Sri Lanka, Palau, the Philippines are all on our radar. We also have projects underway in Hainan Island China, and in Vietnam.
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