The Maldives is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, drawn to its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and luxurious resorts. But what sets the Maldives apart from other tropical paradises is the warmth and hospitality of its people, who welcome visitors with open arms and treat them like family. It is a culture that is deeply rooted in them and has been passed down since the company’s founding.
One such person is Masdouk Saeed, who has been working in the Maldives tourism industry for over 20 years. He is currently the General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, injecting life and energy with a vision that will leave an indelible mark on elevating the standards of hospitality in the Maldives. He is passionate about his work and loves interacting with guests from different cultures and backgrounds, which is evident in every interaction with him.
But his interest in hospitality didn’t start with his career. It goes back to my childhood growing up in a close-knit community where sharing and caring were not the exception but a way of life.
He recalls how his parents often brought strangers into their home because they had nowhere else to go. They provided room, board, and friendly conversation without expecting anything in return. This was a common practice among the islanders, who lived in harmony with nature and each other.
“We are a collection of small islands in the Indian Ocean, and not too long ago, you had to travel by boat to get from one place to another. You may have to make an unscheduled stop on an island where you don’t have any friends to replenish food.Also, there were no hotels or restaurants at that time. , you can be sure that you will never feel like a stranger on an island full of strangers,” says Masdouk.
“It is a common custom and tradition that someone you meet will strike up a conversation and before you know it you have made a friend and are invited to their home to share a meal. Even though it is the patriarch of the family who invites them into their home, the whole family is ready to accept and welcome them as their own family, and they do it without hesitation. I don’t expect anything in return other than the warm feelings I get when I make someone happy.”
It’s no wonder, then, that when Mr. Masdouk moved to India with his family to study, he found himself with a similar spirit of hospitality. He had no problem getting out of his room and giving his guests their own space and sharing his food and culture with them. This was the same mindset Masdouk brought with him when he joined the hospitality industry and immediately fell in love with the idea of feeling at home and serving.
“Hospitality runs in our blood and is the most valuable asset we inherited from our ancestors. It’s not in our DNA. It’s our DNA. And we carry it forward. I feel honored to be able to do this, and I believe it is my life’s work to strengthen it and pass it on to many generations to come.”
Masdhooq started his career as a receptionist at Bandos Maldives, where he quickly gained recognition and moved to the reservations and sales department. In his next act, he introduced and had the opportunity to be a part of the Maldives’ first island butler concept: Mr. Friday. In an already exciting career, he joined the pre-opening team of this century’s biggest and most daring project in the Maldives, taking hospitality to the highest level and curating experiences for high-end clients. He then took his learnings to the local brand, strengthening and streamlining the rooms department along with engineering and making a noticeable impact on the guest experience.
With this experience, he joined an international hotel chain and was tasked with restructuring housekeeping to be more agile and adaptable to change. His responsibilities then snowballed to include horticulture and landscaping, the guest room department, and engineering. He was then assigned to the pre-opening of the first facility in China, which presented his own unique and many challenges as the company’s service culture and philosophy was completely alien to the destination. I did. Masdhooq not only contributed to the successful launch, but also played a key role in securing his #1 spot on TripAdvisor less than two months after opening in the region.
Next came my first project as a resort manager. This also presented unique challenges, including pitching the idea of the Maldives’ first rooftop resort to partners, as opposed to the traditional thatched roof concept that has been synonymous with Maldives resorts. The project was a great success, and within a week of opening he achieved 85% occupancy. After that, the establishment was able to perform the miracle again by reaching the top spot on TripAdvisor within a month of operation. This was almost unheard of for a newly opened resort in the Maldives. And now, as the new general manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Masdhooq is determined to further strengthen his personal philosophy that “luxury is a feeling.”
“At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, we want to create something unique that stands out and stands out from the crowd. But at the same time, we want to stay strong in our roots and embrace the local culture. For us, hospitality is a birthright and we proudly claim it. “I couldn’t be more excited,” he says.
To achieve this goal, Mr. Masdhooq has an incredible team of over 300 people who are motivated to achieve what others think is impossible. He believes that when we work together as a team, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. That’s exactly what we see in all the feedback, in all the metrics that measure guest experience.
As a local brand and resort, we believe we are the driving force behind providing an authentic Maldivian experience. To deliver the Maldivian experience, Sun Siyam Resorts focuses on developing local talent. Our new Director of Operations and Director of Engineering in their new roles are testament to this commitment to developing local talent. In fact, 80% of Sun Siyam Iru Veli’s management team is Maldivian, 70% of whom are from within the brand.
This is the same message Masdouk gives to those aspiring to enter the hospitality industry. Connect with your roots. Never forget who you are. Find out where your passion lies and dive into it. But most importantly, find a partner who understands you, motivates you, and celebrates your successes as their own. It’s just the love and support I received from my wife and children that made all the difference.
The Maldives tourism industry is constantly changing and evolving, with increasing competition both domestically and internationally. However, for Masdhooq, competition is positive as it encourages improvement and innovation in the industry. The Maldives has a unique brand of luxury goods, vacation destinations and local tourism, offering different experiences to different types of guests. Mazduku is confident that the Maldives can maintain its position as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
“I believe that the future of the tourism industry, especially that of the Maldives, is bright and promising. Despite recent setbacks and competition, the Maldives has the potential to attract and retain more tourists and increase its market share. There are possibilities and opportunities to increase your revenue. The Maldives has a unique and attractive proposition of natural beauty and diversity, culture and history, the authenticity of which cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world. “It’s not just a competitive advantage, it’s a sustainable advantage,” he says.
Masduku said one of the main challenges facing the Maldives tourism industry is the lack of human capital. Maldivians in leadership positions are becoming an increasingly rare commodity, and Mr. Masdouk believes that if we are to become the guardians of true and authentic Maldivian hospitality and spread it to the world, we must seek leadership positions. I believe that a handful of Maldivians need to take a stand against this situation. .
Nevertheless, Mr. Masdouk firmly believes that we will overcome this situation, just as he will depart at the same time as his team in San Sayam il Veli.
For Masdouk, Sun Siyam Iru Veli aims to be the future of hospitality in the Maldives. A place where team members are inspired, guests are satisfied and local culture is celebrated. It is a place where there is a soul that can be felt by guests, a soul that dwells in every action and interaction of team members, and a place that continues to evolve into the future.
