Exclusive Interview with Imroz Uddin, Group Director of Sales & Marketing at Lily Hotels with Over 20 Years of Experience

The luxury Lily Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives is known for its unbeatable all-inclusive plan and pioneer of the affordable luxury concept. The resort has a sister-property, Hideaway Beach Resort, Maldives. Hideaway is known for ultimate privacy and likewise, the resort is perfect for honeymooners.

MVHOTELS.Travel caught up with Imroz Uddin, Group Director of Sales & Marketing at Lily Hotels Pvt Ltd, Maldives to find out about how he ended up working at Lily Hotels and how the resorts are coping with the pandemic. Imroz is a dynamic hospitality professional with 20 years of experience. He started working with Lily Hotels Pvt Ltd Maldives from March 2020. Imroz joined in difficult times to lead and formulate the group’s sales and marketing strategies to maximize profitable revenue globally.

01- How did you career end up in Tourism? Is it possible to briefly share your career up to today?

Imroz: In the first 5 years of my career, I’ve played as Investment Banker (HNWI) in UAE from (2000-2005). At the beginning of the 2006 financial crisis arisen, time was difficult to sustain in the banking industry. I can say its game of destiny played a vital role to bring me to this beautiful industry. In the year 2006, February – Hilton Worldwide approach me with an offer to join this beautiful industry as Senior Account Director (ISO) based in Saudi Arabia.

I continued to build an impressive career with luxury brands including corporate and property-level roles with Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Kempinski, Starwood Hotels and Resorts & CapitaLand in across 3 different continents (the Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific & Europe) & 11 different countries (UK, Russia, UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Cambodia, Vietnam & now in the Maldives), where I stint involved leading international delegations, Leisure luxury selling, cultivating corporate account relationships and enhancing the guest experience.

Prior to joining Lily Hotels, drive the position of Group Director of Commercial at MerPerle Hotels & Resorts, based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. During the company’s high growth period, I’ve established a high performing sales culture and oversaw the group’s sales and marketing function for the portfolio of 5 properties and 1,500 keys inventory across Vietnam.

MVHOTELS.Travel Talks with Imroz Uddin

02- When did you come to know about the Maldives and what was your first impression of the destination?

Imroz: I came to know about the Maldives in February 2020. My initial thought was “Wow” as the Maldives is a unique & luxury destination opportunity and an excellent career prospect as a new addition in my profile.

03- How did you end up in Lily Hotels? When did you decide to join there?

Imroz: Lily Hotels Pvt Ltd, Maldives is a well-establish renowned hospitality brand with a market presence of the last 27 Years. Lily Beach Resort & Spa is iconic property that has first introduce the All-Inclusive Concept in the entire Maldives. Likewise, Lily Hotels has lived by a core values & Our culture’s leadership philosophy, the Red Ring, to live bold and stay sharp. These values attracted me so I decided to persuade my career path with Lily Hotels Pvt Ltd – Maldives.

04- When you took over the position, what was the first things you did for the company?

Imroz: I looked forward to collaborating with my new team and leading them to a game-changing mind set whilst navigating Lily Beach Maldives Resort and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa to achieve strong, profitable benchmarks for the industry and disrupting the industry norm. I am confident I will be able to propel the brand to even more successes and build on Lily Hotels’ vision to create value for our guest and stakeholders.

05- What are the challenges like? Is it possible to share 03 Challenges you are facing right now?

Imroz: Honestly, we don’t have any challenges. As you can see, during the high lockdown period our properties are run as normal operations with decent occupancy. So this I take it as strength & symbol of a strong stand.

06- How was August month for you? In terms of occupancy?

Imroz: In August 2020, Lily Beach Resort & Spa – delivered good results with decent occupancy. I can say we are on par within the top 5 performing properties in the destination of Maldives.

07- Do you think Maldives has the advantages of an isolated island destination? And Do you believe the destination and resorts are prepared enough?

Imroz: Obviously, Isolation is that’s beauty & destination of Maldives is offering to their unique travelers. Yes we have in place all Safety & Hygiene Protocols & measure are arranged during at this COVID19.

08- What do you think makes the resorts different and What’s new for Lily Hotels in 2021?

Imroz: They’re many uncountable benefits & features guest can enjoy at Lily Beach & Hideaway Beach i.e. Unique Accommodation, Exemplary Delicious Food, Water Sport Activities, Natural Sea Life & many many exciting features.

For Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is adding a unique new category of inventory, which will disclose to our partners & unique guest in mid-Q4 2020. And for Lily Beach Resort & Spa is soft upgrading facilities, which we will disclose to our partners & unique guest in mid-November 2020.

Feature image by Lily Hotels

Nestled at the southern edge of the Maldives, where the turquoise waters of Addu Atoll stretch deep into the Indian Ocean, Canareef Resort Maldives quietly evolves. This change doesn’t come from flashy renovations or new facilities. It’s driven by people. Those shaping the resort from the inside out. Meet Deepak Kannan and Shirhaan Sodig. Deepak, focusing on people and culture, and Shirhaan, managing technology and systems, play key roles in defining what it means to run a modern resort in the Maldives.

Deepak Kannan: The People-First Leader Building Culture from the Inside Out

He began his hospitality career in 2000 at the front desk of Radisson Hotels. Over 25 years, he built an impressive resume across the Middle East, including the iconic Burj Al Arab by Jumeirah and several IHG Crowne Plaza properties in the UAE and Oman.

He rose from Front Office Shift Leader to Front Office Manager with IHG, sharpening his skills in operations and guest relations. Later, Deepak stepped into leadership roles as Hotel Manager and General Manager at well-known hotels such as Bin Majid Hotels and Resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, Excelsior Downtown Dubai, and Platinum Coast Hotel in Fujairah.

Moreover, In 2021, Deepak expanded his expertise by consulting for a major convention center in Chennai, India, where he set up their rooms division and operational systems. This experience highlights his versatile and strategic approach.

At Canareef, where he serves as Assistant General Manager, Deepak focuses on more than management. He builds a culture centered on teamwork and empowerment. He explains it simply:
“To achieve a one vision, one team spirit and a strong people-centric culture that will empower the talent we have into shaping Canareef to be the most desired resort destination in the region.“

His leadership already makes a difference. The team works closely together, supporting each other to deliver guest experiences that linger long after the stay. For Deepak, hospitality means focusing on people first.

Shirhaan Sodig: The Tech Expert Keeping Things Running Smoothly

Behind the scenes at Canareef, few guests know the name Shirhaan Sodig, but his work touches nearly every part of their stay. From reliable Wi-Fi to IPTV entertainment, Shirhaan’s IT expertise ensures the resort’s technology runs flawlessly.

With over 15 years in IT, Shirhaan’s background includes fiber optic networks, IPTV, CCTV, telephone systems, and vital hospitality software like Opera PMS and Micros POS. He started his career as an Assistant Computer Technician at the Secretariat of Addu City Council, where he built a solid foundation managing complex networks.

For Shirhaan, technology goes beyond hardware — it reflects a mindset. He shares:
“I believe there’s no such thing as impossible when you combine the right mindset with the right technology. In hospitality, every challenge is an opportunity to innovate, and that’s what drives me —using technology to quietly enhance guest experiences and empower teams to perform at their best.”

Before joining Canareef as IT Manager, Shirhaan developed his skills at South Palm Resort Maldives, serving as Assistant IT Manager and IT Manager. At Canareef, he led a major upgrade by implementing a resort-wide Fiber To The Home (FTTH) network, dramatically improving internet speed and reliability. He also created a custom IPTV app to enhance guest entertainment options.

Beyond Canareef, Shirhaan contributes as a visiting lecturer at Maldives National University, training future IT professionals. His qualifications include certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, CCENT, and a degree in Information Technology, blending academic knowledge with practical expertise.

Where Vision Meets Technology and Hospitality Flourishes

Canareef Resort Maldives offers a picture-perfect destination, but in today’s competitive market, beauty alone does not suffice. Travelers expect more: seamless technology, thoughtful service, and genuine hospitality.

That is exactly what Deepak and Shirhaan provide. Deepak shapes the resort’s culture and people, while Shirhaan ensures the technology supports that vision behind the scenes. Their combined efforts might not look flashy, but they build a foundation designed to last.

So when guests visit Canareef Resort, they get more than just palm trees and ocean views. They experience a resort powered by purpose, a team committed to making every stay truly memorable.