Fijian national and general manager of JW Marriot Gold Coast, Ravinder Dhesi, says if the opportunity comes for him to return to Fiji, he would do so. The former manager of Sheraton Fiji and Sheraton Denarau Villas is celebrating his 25th year with the Marriot Group this month. “I think it would be an exciting opportunity,” Mr Dhesi said.
“When I look at my journey and having graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree in Sydney, I never thought I would be a general manager of a luxury five-star hotel in Australia. However, as career opportunities presented, I embraced them. “My first day as a graduate accountant, I was assigned to do the audit for Sheraton Fiji and that was in 1993, and the resort holds a special meaning to me.
“I stayed there recently and coming to 25 years in the industry and being at Sheraton Fiji was quite nostalgic — the staff remember you. “When we went for breakfast on Monday morning, everyone was coming and giving me a hug because they can associate that I am a local and have had an element of success in my hospitality career. “So, it has been an exciting journey and, hopefully, serves as an inspiration to fellow Fijians.
“I’m young and I think I will still be working for a few more, and it will be in the Marriott chain. “We have got a very large portfolio of Marriott hotels in Fiji, so if the opportunity comes for me to come back to Fiji, then I’ll definitely again look at doing that because I think to grow local talent and support local Fijians in their hospitality careers would be an exciting opportunity, plus Fiji is home.”.
