Asia/Singapore Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
Page 890

Career inspiration – Reiko Tokuda Marketing director, DMC Okinawa, Inc

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reikotokudaHow long have you been in the travel industry and what do you enjoy most about your job?

I have been working as a meeting planner in Okinawa for 10 years and, for me, there is nothing better than seeing our guests experience our programmes and then giving us big smiles in return. It is great when we can all see the targeted effect happening and again when we are able to share the client’s excitement with our team.

What is your greatest career achievement to-date?

For six years, I served as a ISO9001-standard chief auditor. That experience has helped me to plan and offer services with our company that take into consideration the importance of process management.

I have never stopped striving to devise ways to make a process more efficient, to determine ways in which we can heighten the degree of achievement in our programmes and how we can deliver additional satisfaction to our clients.

Does anything about your job keep you awake at night?

My mind is constantly occupied with how we can develop better plans to provide greater satisfaction to our clients, and what we can do to brush-up our overall services.

I also often think if all members of our team are sharing and understand the company’s purpose of helping clients to achieve their aims.

What are your top three tips for achieving success in a career in this industry?

First, you should build a network that encompasses global issues, the meetings industry, regional culture, regional economics and, of course, clients.

Second, make sure you understand your clients’ interests and share that knowledge with your entire team.

Third, raise the motivation levels of your team and make sure they are sharing the organisation’s goals.

Romain Chan

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Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Chan as area general manager, China and general manager, Pan Pacific Suzhou. He has over 30 years of industry experience spanning China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Philippines and the US. He is no stranger to the Group, having helmed Pan Pacific Ningbo from 2014 to 2016.

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Matt O’Keefe

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O’Keefe is now Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s chief technology officer of hotel distribution. He brings 20 years of technology and software experience, as well as rich expertise and deep knowledge of the travel industry, to his new role. He was most recently chief technology officer for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

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Michael Robinson

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Caravelle Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City is now helmed by Robinson, who has been promoted from his former position as director of rooms.

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

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LeMeridienKLLeMeridienKLlounge

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur had recently completed major refurbishments and renovations carried out in phases over the course of four years and to the tune of RM100 million. The result is a better guest experience for in-house meetings and stays.

Rooms All 420 rooms are now better prepared for the modern traveller. More universal power sockets, two USB socket charges and speedier in-room Wi-Fi (8mbps) are available, along with a 48-inch smart HD LED TV.

My room on the top-most floor, level 35, and on the Club Floor, offered me panoramic views of the city and boasts a convenient layout. For instance, the safe sits under the work table and shelves are built into the tiled wall by the sink for toiletries. And speaking of toiletries, I love that Cinq Mondes, a luxurious line of botanical spa products from Paris, are provided for guests.

MICE facilities I’ve attended several press conferences and meetings at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, and have always been impressed by the thoughtfulness that went into the design of the property’s event facilities.

Meeting spaces are clustered for convenience on level six, on a floor called Metropolis. They sit right above Latest Recipe all-day dining restaurant and is serviced by a set of escalators from the fifth floor.

The collection comprises six meeting rooms and a pillarless ballroom. The latter can accommodate up to 600 delegates in a theatre setting, or be divided into two for smaller gatherings.

The refurbishments have given the Metropolis foyer a brighter and more contemporary look. Two interactive kitchens strategically located at the foyer, provide a permanent pantry station where delegates can enjoy limitless variety of snacks, coffee and tea throughout their meetings.

Other facilities In-house facilities include six F&B outlets, a freeform swimming pool, a well-equipped gym and spa facilities.

The Club Lounge on level 33 features an open kitchen with live cooking, a private meeting room for a dozen people and a lounge.

There are also shower rooms for guests who need to freshen up after an early morning arrival, before the usual check-in time, or have a late flight to catch after checking out.

For groups, a dedicated check-in counter can be arranged.

The hotel also provides off-site catering and teambuilding programmes within the Klang Valley.

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Matt Brennan

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Carlson Wagonlit Travel has named Brennan its vice president of hotel operations. He most recently served as vice president of field partner management of QSI Facilities.

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Jean-Yong Pittion

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Pittion is now executive assistant manager of F&B for Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Central and The St. Regis Macao, Cotai Central, having moved from Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong where he was director of F&B.

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Ian McKie

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Oakwood Asia Pacific has appointed McKie as the new general manager of Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta. He was most recently general manager of Nine Dragons HNA Hotels in Zhejiang, China and was responsible for the Nine Dragons Resort Complex. His extensive career spans 20 years.

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Andrew Tan

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Tan now leads Pan Pacific Hotel and Serviced Suites, Ningbo as general manager, having moved from Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington where he was also general manager.

Andrew Moore

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Conrad Seoul has named Moore its director of business development. He joins from Hilton Beijing where he held the same title.

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