Spring 2020
INTO THE WILD SINGAPORE A DAY IN HAVANA THE LEADERS
70 Into the wild
WHAT’S 34 A Day in Havana
Teatr Wielki Opera Nardova - Poland
INSIDE Singapore
7
24
84
22
Morgan Freeman An American Legend
Six Reds for the Spring
LETTER FROM OUR EDITOR IN CHIEF
As we navigate through these difficult and unforeseen circumstances that have impacted our industry, we remain hopeful that we will be able to withstand, recover and emerge stronger than ever. We debated whether to release this issue and came to the conclusion that we all need some way to escape the current troubling times. We hope that we, in some small way are able to do this with this issue of our magazine. Our issue features beautiful images from Scotty Graham, a regular contributor to our magazine. Today he takes us through his images of modern and stylish Singapore. Bill Scott provides “A Day in Havana” and our newest contributor, Zach Silverstein gives us an in-depth look of wild animals in their natural habitat in the article entitled “Into the Wild”. We are also featuring the Ballet of Poland and a special article about the leaders of the luxury destination experiences that Buchhalter International Group represents. We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, we’d love to hear from you. We will be back on track in delivering extraordinary experiences soon. Let’s Dream and Plan Franz E Buchhalter
Editor in Chief: Managing Editor:
Franz E Buchhalter Cynthia P. Howland
Design Destinations Magazine is a publication by Buchhalter International Group, Inc. Head Office: 9121 SW 140th Street, Miami, Florida 33176 Tel: 305 484 1012 buchhalterinternatioanlgroup.com Cover: Scotty Graham - Singapore
CONTRIBUTORS Zach Silverstein is a director, cinematographer, and photographer based in Toronto, Canada. He is inspired by earth’s natural beauty, human stories, and environmental preservation. His short films have screened internationally including at the Montreal World Film Festival, Long Island Film Festival, Seoul International Youth Film Festival, Toronto Shorts International Film Festival and Youngcuts. His photography has been featured and published online by National Geographic. Zach has worked with brands including Google, the Toronto Raptors, Mazda, Colgate, Tim Hortons, Town Shoes, FanXChange, William F. Whites, Forrec, and more. www.zachsilverstein.com Page 70
Into the Wild
Scotty Graham is an American photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Before becoming a photographer, he worked as a helicopter pilot, scuba instructor and a mathematics teacher. Teaching is one of his passions and currently Scotty also works as a full time High School photography teacher at Jakarta Intercultural School, and also works as a freelance photographer, most recently for the Olympic Committee Asia capturing the Asian Games. Scotty is a frequent contributor for Design Destinations Magazine whose images have graced several covers. www.scottygraham.com Page 24
Singapore
BILL SCOTT is an international travel photographer based in Salt Lake City, USA who has visited over 100 countries. Whether it is a top tourist destination like the Maldives or somewhere off the beaten track such as Burundi, he finds there is always something fascinating to photograph. By building trust and a relationship with people Bill is able to put his subjects at ease and capture them in their normal routines and daily life. Although he often enjoys directing a subject to create an image, he says the real magic happens when a great story, beautiful light, and the opportunity to work like a fly on the wall all come together. You can see more of Bill’s work on Instagram @billscottphoto.
Page 34
A Day in Havana
TEATR WIELKI - OPERA In the Romantic period, the Warsaw Ballet was regarded as one of Europe’s leading ensembles, rivaling the Ballet of the Parisian Opera, and the St Petersburg Ballet. The ballet company was headed, among others, by two outstanding French ballet-masters, Louis Thierry (1818–1823) and Maurice Pion (1824–1843), and its repertoire included the most famous European works as well as original ballets by Polish choreographers to the music of Polish composers. Thierry also organized a new ballet school in Warsaw; next to him, initially the teachers were Henri Debray and Maurice Pion from France, who were later replaced by Polish teachers. Poland hosted great Italian choreographer Carlo Blasis (1856), and the legendary Filippo Taglioni was the director of the Warsaw Ballet
Company from 1843–1853. The stars of the Warsaw Ballet at this time included, in succession: Julia Mierzyńska, Antonina Palczewska, Karolina Wendt, Konstancja Turczynowicz, sisters Anna and Karolina Straus, Maria Frejtag, and Kamila Stefańska (who later became the Baroness von Kleydorff, wife of a Hesse prince, Emil zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg); their partners were: Maurice Pion, Mikołaj Grekowski, Roman Turczynowicz, Feliks Krzesiński (Felix Kschessinsky), Hipolit Meunier, brothers Aleksander and Antoni Tarnowski. Guest performers in Warsaw included: Helena Schlanzowska, Maria Taglioni, Carlota Grisi, Nadezhda Bogdanova, Paolo Taglioni, and Claudina Cucchi.
NARODOVA - POLAND The choreographer and teacher Roman Turczynowicz was an outstanding Polish ballet-master of the Romantic period. In the late 1840s and 1850s, he fulfilled a role similar to that played by August Bournonville in Copenhagen. Unfortunately, Poland’s stormy history destroyed the achievements of national choreography of that time, and after Turczynowicz, barely a memory survived in the pages of the history of ballet. The National Ballet School in Warsaw is named after him. In later years, the company’s ballet-masters included some of Europe’s masters like Hipolit Meunier, Virgilio Calori, Pasquale Borri, and José Mendez. The leading Polish female dancers of those times were: Helena Cholewicka (the only Polish ‘primabalerina assoluta’
in the years 1872–1882). Many famous foreign dancers performed on the stage of the Teatr Wielki. During the first 48 years of its existence, the Warsaw Ballet worked in the National Theatre building at Krasińskich Square, together with opera and drama groups. In 1833, a new theatre building was erected in the center of Warsaw, known today as the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera, which continues to be the residence of the Warsaw Ballet. During the war and the years of occupation (1939-1945), the ensemble suspended its activities and the theatre building was completely destroyed. Afterwards, the ballet and opera used substitute theatre halls. It was only after the reconstruction of the Teatr Wielki was completed in 1965 that both groups gained one of the biggest and most modern theaters in Europe as their residence.
SIX REDS FOR THE SPRING
Duckhorn The Discussion 2015
Tapiz Black Tears Malbec 2015
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2015
Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
DAOU Soul of a Lion 2017
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Duckhorn The Discussion 2015
Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California Winemaker Notes
With idyllic growing conditions throughout the season, the 2015 vintage has resulted in a vibrant and beautifully layered expression of The Discussion, with firm, round tannins, alluring berry flavors and an elegant underlying savoriness. Pure, bright aromas of pomegranate, cranberry and black raspberry rise from the glass, followed by deeper elements of blueberry and cocoa nibs. On the richly structured palate, a lovely creamy quality accentuates the generous fruit flavors, with hints of cedar and sage adding nuance and depth to a lingering black cherry and bittersweet chocolate finish.
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2015
Bordeaux Red Blends from Napa Valley, California Winemaker Notes
The 2015 Insignia is densely hued with rich dark fruit, cocoa powder and fragrant dried flower notes. Velvety texture and weight on the palate with layers of juicy black plum, Madagascar vanilla and bergamot. Bold, creamy and supple with integrated tannin structure and a lengthy finish.
DAOU Vineyards Soul of a Lion 2017
Bordeaux Red Blends from Adelaida District, Paso Winemaker Notes
The 2017 vintage displays richness, elegance and balance—the hallmarks of a superb growing season that allowed for extended ripening. A deep, complex bouquet reveals notes of cassis, black currant, licorice, incense, ripe plum and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied, layered and complex, while smooth, silky tannins lead to a persistent finish. It is impossible to drink this wine without respecting the great structure that will allow it to evolve nicely for years to come. In short, this is a blockbuster vintage that showcases the innate power of DAOU Mountain.
Tapiz Black Tears Malbec 2015
Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina Winemaker Notes
Intense purplish red color. Flavors and aromas reminiscent of ripe red fruits, dried plums, figs, fruits compote and jams. Has a nose with very subtle floral and menthol notes. Its passage through oak provides notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Presence of sweet and ripe tannins. A specimen with an elegant personality, intense in flavor and an impeccable balance.
Stag’s Leap Winery The Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley, California
Winemaker Notes
The 2016 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon captures the distinctive personality of our estate vineyard and this incredible vintage, crafting a darkly intense, multilayered, rich and approachable wine with depth of fruit, plushness and creamy richness. This wine is classic Stag’s Leap District Cabernet, offering blackberry, blueberry and macerated strawberry aromas on the nose, along with subtle baking spice notes of cinnamon, milk chocolate and coffee, alongside more savory notes of black olive and chaparral herbs. On the palate, there is elegance, freshness and complexity, showing lifted dark blackberry, blueberry and black raspberry fruits followed by hints of chocolate, espresso and black pepper spice. With big, round, mouth-pleasing tannins and a silky, smooth lithe texture, this Cabernet exhibits the iconic power and intensity that have become synonymous with Stag’s Leap estate wines but drinks elegantly, demonstrating the opulence and grace of the estate.
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California Winemaker Notes
Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe, velvety tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. Caymus farms Cabernet grapes in eight of Napa’s 16 sub-appellations, with diversification enabling them to make the best possible wine in a given year. Their Cabernet offers layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis, and ripe dark berries.
SINGAPORE Photos by Scotty Graham
A DAY IN HAVANA Photos by Bill Scott
Early morning fishing along the Malecรณn, Havana
The cupola of the Great Theater of Havana, home of the Cuban National Ballet. Built in 1914
Chef MorejĂłn is the proprietor of La Vida Dulce in ViĂąales. Cuban restaurants are seeing a revival after the government of Cuba has allowed individuals to operate private restaurants. Growing his own ingredients allows Chef MorejĂłn to provide his clientele with the freshest ingredients.
Locals enjoy the afternoon on Havana’s Malecón behind one of Cuba’s iconic vintage cars.
Leonardo FalcĂłn, a tobacco farmer in ViĂąales.
Havana building
Cuban boxer Alberto Villano
The leaders
Some people seem to be born knowing what to do to inspire and lead people while other have to learn. In this issue we feature several leaders who every day lead a team of dedicated employees in several different countries with the every day goal of making their guests feel at home. From Vietnam to Thailand; from the Maldives to Tanzania and, from Guatemala and Roatan, these amazing leaders make their business their homes, and their experience and talent is reflected in the success of each and every one of their businesses.
Philippe Cavory
Buchalter International Group’s partners come from different backgrounds and cultures. The InterContinental Maldives is managed by Austrian born Stefan Huemer whose many years experience in managing luxury resorts make him the perfect choice to bring this resort a new standard in luxury hospitality. The Anam in the southern region of Vietnam is led by French national Philippe Cavory; The famous Caravelle in Saigon is led by Michael Robinson, a talented and young New Zealander whose passion is the environment. In Thailand, two amazing leader s have recently taken the responsibility of managing two amazing resorts: The Pimalai Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta is led by French born Patrice Landrein and Bjorn Courage from the Netherlands, leads the team at the new InterContinental Phuket. And our properties in the Americas: the Relais & Chateaux’ Casa Palopó in the highlands of Guatemala is managed by Carmen Ochoa whose career expands several decades in hospitality. Our newest partner Ibagari is led by its owners, Carlos and Ana de Wit, whose imprint on the luxury market is impressive and they are assisted by their General Manager Javier Aguilar, a young and talented professional.
Arif Mohammeda Arif
Our two partners in destination management have also impressive careers, as one started her company with her husband in Vietnam when she was very young. Cindy Nguyen is a remarkable woman who has managed to make her company 365Travel a leader in Indochina. And in Tanzania, Mohamedarif Bhimani (Arif) joined his family business and is now one of the directors of this luxury DMC. All of the leaders share one thing - passion for what they do. But we also wanted to know what was in their travel bucket list and they told us…….
Javier Aguilar
Cindy Nguyen
Stefan Huemer
Patrice Landrein
Bjorn Courage Carmen Ochoa
Michael Robinson
Whats on my bucket list? “Egypt, & Israel for their history; Iceland and New Zealand for their nature”
JAVIER AGUILAR
GENERAL MANAGER IBAGARI - ROATAN, HN
With a major in Hospitality and Business Administration, Javier Aguilar is the General Manager at Ibagari Boutique Hotel in Roatán, Honduras. Having expertise in creating and leading his own businesses and focusing on a Food and Beverage career, he came to Ibagari in the beginning of 2019 to give a push to his hospitality career. Ibagari, an 8 room hotel, with one of the best-known fine dining restaurants on the island was looking for someone not only with the hospitality and customer care experience but also with the F&B background to manage its first line income. This is why Javier was a perfect fit for the project. Before coming to Ibagari, he had worked and led several teams in various scenarios: Working at leading service company as Walt Disney World helping develop programs in premium hotels for VIP guests. Co-founded and led 4 different restaurants in La Antigua and Guatemala City, Guatemala delivering Spanish, French and International Cuisine. Led as COO of 60+ chain restaurants Although young in age (31), Javier ensures quality and outstanding service are delivered in every corner of this delightful hotel while building and empowering his team to be more productive and keen on details that every guest and client appreciates. Javier is eager to meet and to welcome you to Ibagari’s corner filled with art, gastronomy, nature and, of course, plenty of Caribbean Sea.
Whats on my bucket list? “Turkey, HolBox - Mexico and Iceland places that I know I will visit soon”
CARMEN OCHOA
RESORT MANAGER CASA PALOPÓ, LAKE ATITLÁN - GUATEMALA
Carmen oversees the management at Casa Palopรณ, the 15 room Relais & Chateaux boutique resort located in the beautiful Lake Atitlรกn, Guatemala. Carmen joined Casa Palopรณ in 2017 after having developed her hospitality career with companies like Westin International. Before joining Casa Palopรณ, Carmen managed other high-profile properties in Guatemala, mostly in the colonial city of Antigua. Carmen is one of the few women hotel managers in Guatemala and she is a dedicated professional whose eye for detail, charming personality and knowledge of what her guests expect has earned her the reputation of a leader in the business which is dominated by men.
Whats on my bucket list? “India is definitely top of the list. India is a country of many facets, faces, colors and cultures. A destination that offers adventure as well as spiritual experiences from trekking the Indian Himalayas to ancient ruins and temples of Hampi and of course the Taj Mahal. I practice bikram yoga on my own and would loved to experience it in the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh”
Whats on my bucket list? “Guatemala, since I have seen some pictures there from my friend and feel that it was nice and definitely visit there some day. South Africa, it would be a great place for the wine tour! New Zealand and Scotland”
STEFAN HUEMER
GENERAL MANAGER INTERCONTINENTAL®MALDIVES MAAMUNAGAU RESORT - RAA ATOLL MALDIVES
A consummate global hotelier, Austrian-born Stefan O. Huemer joins InterContinental® Maldives Maamunagau Resort as its General Manager. With an illustrious international career spanning more than 25 years, hospitality doyen Stefan has managed prestigious hospitality brands across Europe, USA, Asia and the Middle East, with distinction. Located on Maamunagau Island at the southern tip of Raa Atoll which opened in October 2019, InterContinental® Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers the brand’s premium Club InterContinental experience delivering end-to-end personalized luxury service amidst the awe-inspiring Maldivian backdrop of spectacular sunset views and emerald blue waters. As General Manager, Stefan oversees everything from accommodations and dining to the property’s sustainability initiatives, ensuring that each aspect contributes to an unparalleled luxurious experience for guests. During the budding years of his career, Stefan honed his skills and excelled for industry leaders including Goldener Hirsch, Le Meridien, Mandarin Oriental and the Kempinski Group. As testament to his passion for the industry and dedication to his craft, Stefan swiftly rose the ranks to helm international brands such as InterContinental Hotels Group, Wanda Hotels & Resorts and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts. Stefan was most recently the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Living Hospitality Group, a hospitality consulting firm, where he showcased his expertise in turnaround strategies, quality assurance and international hotel property brokerage. Imbued with strong holistic management skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, Stefan led operational teams both large and small, to sweep numerous industry accolades and service excellence awards. During his tenure as the Regional General Manager and Island Chief of Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Stefan was presented with the Hotelier of the Year award in 2008 by the President of Maldives. Under his leadership, Wanda Hotels & Resorts was conferred the awards of New Luxury Business Hotel of the Year and China’s New Best Hotel at the China Travel Awards in 2014 by the China Travel & Meeting Industry and Travel + Leisure respectively. Stefan holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Leadership and Sustainability from Harvard Business School and completed the General Managers Program (GMP) at the renowned Cornell School of Hotel Administration. At heart, Stefan is a family-man, a sports car enthusiast, and is fond of nature and traveling. He is fluent in English, German and French, and looks forward to welcoming you to InterContinental® Maldives Maamunagau Resort.
Whats on my bucket list? “The Moon! I believe it will become a destination option in my lifetime and this is a destination you can really call a bucket list location”
MICHAEL ROBINSON
GENERAL MANAGER THE CARAVELLE HOTEL, SAIGON - VIETNAM
New Zealand native and former Director of Rooms at the property, Michael Robinson is no stranger to the world of 5-star hotels, boasting nearly a decade of experience in destinations as diverse as California and Qatar. Robinson joined the Caravelle team in January 2016 after his most recent post with Park Hyatt Dubai in the UAE. This move saw him become the youngest General Manager in the hotel’s history.
Robinson’s hospitality training includes a Bachelor’s Degree from the International College of Hotel Management in Adelaide. His passion for the industry started at a young age when he worked as a Steward for a fine dining restaurant in New Zealand, followed shortly after by the beginning of his hotel career in 2008 as a Management Trainee in rooms division at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, California. The following year when relocating to the Middle East, he joined Grand Hyatt Doha and became part of the pre-opening task force spearheading the launch of Hyatt properties in Russia and South Africa, before moving to Dubai in 2011 and ultimately Saigon in 2016.
When asked the question what destination is on his bucket list? Michael returned with a quick no -thinkingrequired answer, “The Moon”. “Travel these days makes it easy and affordable to go to almost any destination on earth. Accommodation styles differ whether is it is a bed and breakfast at a local homestay, or gold leaf cappuccinos and the presidential suite at a ultra-luxury resort the destinations remain the same and are now a lot more accessible to anyone with a will to travel”. “The Moon” Michael believes, will become a destination option in his lifetime and this is a destination you can really call a bucket list location.
Caravelle Saigon has held a special place in the heart of this great city since its opening on Christmas Eve back in 1959. It all started when they threw opened their doors to an expectant public eager to see its original design, hailed at the time as one of the tallest and most modern buildings of its kind. Fast forward 60 years and they start their birthday celebrations by re-opening the doors to the newly renovated guest rooms and suites. These start at approximately 38.5 square meters (415 square feet) in size with spacious walk-in vanities and bathrooms beautifully finished with imported marble throughout. Large soundproof windows stream in natural light and offer guests unparalleled views across the heart of the city, including the historic Opera House on one side and glimpses of the meandering Saigon River on the other.
Whats on my bucket list? “Iceland, Australia and Rio de Janeiro are at the top of my list of places that I would like to visit one day”
PHILIPPE CAVORY
GENERAL MANAGER THE ANAM, CAM RANH - VIETNAM
A seasoned professional with almost four decades of experience in the luxury hospitality industry across four continents, Philippe has recently taken the helm of the award-winning resort The Anam. French national Philippe Cavory comes to the 12-hectare resort on Vietnam’s pristine Cam Ranh peninsula after four years with YTL Hotels, during which he oversaw a collection of five-star resorts in Malaysia as Area General Manager.
Cavory brings a stellar background in luxury hospitality to the independently owned and operated Anam, having worked in senior management roles for some of the industry’s most prestigious names including Cheval Blanc Randheli and Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, Banyan Tree properties in the Maldives, Morocco and Laos, and at former Legends Hotel NAIADES Resorts and now LUX Grand Gaube in Mauritius.
In addition to Asia and Africa, his career has taken him across Europe and to the United States. Along with hotel management, he has substantial experience with hotel openings and renovations. After starting out with hotel management studies at the acclaimed École Hôtelière du Comte de Nice in his native France in the early eighties, Cavory conducted further study with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust based in London. He became a sommelier based in Miami with Royal Caribbean Cruises and then an F&B consultant for the Eastern and Oriental Express in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, before rising through the ranks at various luxury hotels. He has won numerous awards, including ‘Outstanding General Manager’ at the 2017 Asian Lifestyle Tourism Awards.
Philippe has made Cam Ranh his new home, one that he enjoys with his wife and young children.
What’s on my bucket list? “South Africa is on my list I would like to see wild animals in their natural habitat running free and to experience a lodge where I can see them up close ”
CINDY NGUYEN
CEO & FOUNDER 365TRAVEL - VIETNAM, LAOS, MYANMAR, CAMBODIA & THAILAND
“I always believe that success in business depends on how we impact our clients and employees and whether we are able to enrich their life. A truly great organization must treat the people inside and outside with utmost care, respect and appreciation. That’s what inspired me to start the journey of 365Travel and continue to drive me today”. Cindy Nguyen 365Travel was established on 2006 by a young couple from Hanoi. Tommy ( Cindy’s husband) was in charge of management and product, while Cindy took responsibility for sales. Although Cindy brought several years of working with a local tour operator, she was intimidated when approaching overseas partners, fearing they would think her, at only 27, too young to be an owner. Their son was young, the office was tiny, and the early days were difficult. Requests came in slowly, mostly from friends and relatives wanting to book tickets and hotel rooms. Their vision was to provide clients with fast and convenient service, so they didn’t mind traveling far to enthusiastically meet with clients. Working days were very long, as they researched and created thorough product presentations. Their enthusiasm and passion for the business often overshadowed their financial interests. The company’s initial mission was to enter and build the business in the Asian market. Their goal was to be a reliable local agent, with a reputation for quality service and care, without following the trend of cutting costs by downgrading service levels in order to compete on price. As they earned the trust of their clients, the business began to grow until they reached a dominant position in the Asian market. That success has encouraged them to enter new international markets, including the EU and America. 365 is a success story that she likes to share. After 10 years of hard work, 365Travel is strong and well established in Southeast Asia. Specializing in providing quality tours to Vietnam and Southeast Asia for customers worldwide, they have served over 12,000 passengers annually. “Any successful journey begins with good leadership, and our board believes that caring about clients and employees is the right thing to do -that makes for a better company, a better society and a better life”. The name 365Travel comes from the fact that the company is available 365 days a year, following up every step of the way to ensure their guests are taken care of by their team and providing them with memorable experiences.
What’s on my bucket list? “I have been most privileged to explore all continents of the world with the exception of heading any more south than Mexico in the Americas. A twomonths expedition of exploring the beauties & wonders of South America and emerging with the many history and culturally rich communities would be a life changing experience”
BJORN COURAGE
GENERAL MANAGER INTERCONTINENTAL®PHUKET - KAMALA BEACH THAILAND
A native of the Netherlands, Bjorn leads the InterContinental Phuket, a new resort located in the beautiful Kamala Beach. His experience expands more than 20 years, most recently with the InterContinental Manza Beach in Okinawa, Japan. He began his hospitality career in Sales & Marketing as Area Director for Soneva Resorts in the Maldives, and Evason Hideways Resorts in Thailand. He later moved into business development for Hilton Hotels. Bjorn led the business development for the Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo and the Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai, China before joining InterContinental Hotels. His holds a degree in Hotel Management from the prestigious Hague Management School in the Netherlands and post graduate studies with Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. During his tenure with various hotels and resorts, he was part of the teams that earned the hotels several accolades and awards for excellence including Conde Nast Traveler “Best in the World” award for Soveva Fushi Resort & Spa and recently he earned for the InterContinental Phuket “2019 Best Experience Hotel” by Travel + Leisure China.
Whats on my bucket list? “Guatemala, since I have seen some pictures there from my friend and feel that it was nice and I’d definitely visit there some day. South Africa, it would be a great place for the wine tour! New Zealand and Scotland”
PATRICE LANDREIN
GENERAL MANAGER PIMALAI RESORT & SP, KOH LANTA - THAILAND
With more than 25 years of international hospitality experience, Patrice Landrein, Pimalai Resort & Spa’s General Manage, a French national, has worked in pre-opening and operational roles for hotel chains such as The Ritz Paris, The Savoy London, and Plaza Athénée. A hospitality industry veteran, Mr.Patrice brings with him 25 years of experience. His journey began at a historic luxury hotel in Paris - The Hôtel de Crillon as a receptionist, and he also has held a wide range of roles at various international hotel brands in France, the United States, United Kingdom, the Caribbean and Vietnam,
His particular areas of expertise are hotel opening and renovation. As a hotel consultant, he led the successful opening and operating of three hotels in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. He was also helmed the successful renovation of Le Beaulieu in Hanoi.
Surpassing expectations as general manager in many top hotel brands like Le Vallon de Valrugues, Hotel de Vendome, PL Hotel Consulting, the Amari Vogue Krabi and Dusit International in Vietnam’s Phu Quoc city, he mentioned the key to being successful – “It’s all about customer satisfaction and using the right management style. We don’t want the guests to say ‘It’s perfect’. But we want them to say ‘wow’. Everything we do, we do for the ‘wow’. When you decide to join Pimalai, you need to give a hundred and twenty percent to the guests. We need to always do more.” Pimalai workes hard to understand the culture of his team, accept their differences and appreciate individuality.
Whats on my bucket list? “On my bucket list is to travel to Rwanda and experience the Gorilla Trek”
MOHAMEDARIF BHIMANI (ARIF)
DIRECTOR SIMBA SAFARIS - TANZANIA, KENYA & ZANZIBAR
In 1969 the Dharamshi Bhimani family also known in tourism circles as - The Simba Family - established Simba Safaris and began leading adventurous travelers through Tanzania's Northern Circuit. They were joined by two
other tour operators, and these three pioneers opened the Northern Circuit to a broader travel market thus establishing modern luxury safari in Tanzania.
One thing remained consistent, however: the conviction that strong family values translated to strong business values. “Clients must be cared for in the same way that family is cared for”.
“With that truth as our guide all the struggles that come with creating an industry from the ground up - literally from the ancient volcanic ash that is the dust of the Serengeti - could be met and overcome. The practices we developed and perfected over the years reflect that truth - and they have become industry standards, widely emulated. Of those three pioneering operators in Tanzania, only Simba Safaris remains”.
“Safaris are more than second nature to us. It is more than what we do today and have done for almost 50 years. The modern safari in Tanzania reflects the very nature of who we are”.
After graduating from the university in the UK with a degree in Engineering, Arif returned to Tanzania to join his family business. Today Arif works side by side with his family in continuing to provide unique experiences in the region.
INTO THE WILD Photos by Zach Silverstein
An American Legend
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an American actor and film narrator. Freeman won an Academy Award in 2005 for Best Supporting Actor with Million Dollar Baby (2004) and has received Oscar nominations for his performances in Street Smart (1987), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and Invictus (2009). He has also won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Freeman has appeared in many other box office hits, including Glory (1989), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Seven (1995), Deep Impact (1998), The Sum of All Fears (2002), Bruce Almighty (2003), The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012), Wanted (2008), Red (2010), Now You See Me (2013), The Lego Movie (2014) and Lucy (2014). He rose to fame as part of the cast of the 1970s children's program The Electric Company. Noted for his deep voice, Freeman has served as a narrator, commentator, and voice actor for numerous programs, series and television shows. He is ranked as the seventh-highest box office star since July 2019.
Design Destinations Magazine is a quarterly publication produced by Buchhalter International Group
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