Recently, Indoindians team had the pleasure to interview yet another successful Indian in Indonesia, Amit Sakhrani, General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel in Medan, North Sumatra. He generously shares his journey in the hospitality industry, exclusively for our readers.
It’s destiny
“My exposure to hotels started at a young age,” he started. “That time, my parents had membership at a five star hotel close to home. The membership allowed me to use the hotel recreational facilities. As a curious kid, I soon made friends with the hotel team members.”
Like most outsiders, he was attracted to the glamour of hotel industry. “That was long before I understood that with the lifestyle came a lot of hard work,” he said. His interest and excitement prompted him apply to for hotel school. “I was fortunate to get admission at the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition in Goa.”
It is only destiny and luck that brought him to what he is now. “When I was passing out from hotel school, Marriott International was opening their first hotel in India (Goa Marriott Resort). I was lucky to get selected through campus placements,” he told Indoindians. He began his journey in hospitality industry as a pre-opening team member of Marriott International’s first hotel in India.
Bigger career, bigger responsibilities
Now, as a General Manager, bigger challenges emerge. “Like most industries today, finding the right people with the right aptitude and attitude is all that matters,” he said. As the industry evolves, he believes that to overcome all the challenges, a good General Manager needs to possess hospitality skills, people skills, and sound business acumen.
Prior joining the team at JW Marriott Medan, Amit was working in Bali and Jakarta. Thus, he had a good understanding of Indonesia even before he got to Medan. “Each location is unique in a lot of ways. And in industry, it is all about understanding your guests and then working with your team. From there you can ensure to deliver the best for our guests.”
Has been working for Marriott for oven sixteen years, Mr Bill Marriott is Amit’s role model. “I am his biggest fan. And I also have been blessed to worked under some great leaders, all of whom I have been able to learn from,” shared Amit.
Balancing work and personal life
Amit has a simple secret to balance his work and personal life. “I strongly believe that if you love your job, the hours you work don’t matter. It’s all about productivity and prioritizing. When I am at work, it’s all work and when I am at home, it’s all about my family.”
Of course, he still makes time for his hobby. “I love sports and here, I have been to rekindle my love for badminton. I play twice a week,” said Amit. He also loves to explore different dining locations around Medan with his wife Chandra. “Lastly, I am a petrol head which makes me a massive Formula1 and MotoGP fan.” .
