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

COMO Cocoa Island has just appointed Federico Tidu as its new Executive Chef. With years of experience in some of the world’s best Michelin-starred kitchens and luxury resorts, Chef Tidu brings a wealth of culinary expertise. His arrival promises an exciting shift in the resort’s dining scene, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Chef Tidu grew up on the Italian island of Sardinia, where his love for food began at the age of 13. Surrounded by the island’s vibrant food culture, he quickly developed a passion for cooking, particularly with local ingredients that continue to inspire his dishes today.

In 2022, Chef Tidu received the Chef Hat Award from the Australian Good Food Guide during his time at Jonah’s Restaurant in Australia. The award is a mark of culinary excellence, given to chefs who excel in all aspects of the dining experience—taste, presentation, and technique. This recognition highlights Chef Tidu’s commitment to creating unforgettable meals that stay with diners long after they leave the table.

A Focus on Fresh, Local Ingredients

At COMO Cocoa Island, Chef Tidu is in charge of Ufaa, the resort’s signature restaurant. The menu at Ufaa is a unique fusion of Mediterranean influences and the fresh, local flavors of the Maldives. Each day, the menu changes to highlight the best of the region’s seasonal ingredients, particularly the seafood that the Maldives is known for.

The philosophy at COMO Hotels and Resorts has always centered on creating meals that nourish both the body and the soul. Chef Tidu’s approach aligns perfectly with this ethos. His focus on fresh, sustainable ingredients and dishes that are both innovative and rooted in tradition will no doubt elevate the dining experience at COMO Cocoa Island. Guests can look forward to a dining journey that’s as exciting as it is delicious.

As part of COMO Hotels and Resorts’ dedication to bringing wellness into every meal, the brand has also released a cookbook, COMO Simple. Compiled by Mrs. Christina Ong, the brand’s founder, and the resort’s chefs, the book features over 30 recipes from around the world. These easy-to-follow recipes celebrate COMO’s approach to healthy, nourishing food, offering anyone the chance to recreate the COMO dining experience at home.

With Chef Tidu now leading the way, COMO Cocoa Island is ready to offer guests an unforgettable culinary experience that brings together the best of Mediterranean cuisine and the freshest Maldivian ingredients.