Christoph Berger Joins the Outrigger `Ohana Lessons in Tourism

®
September 22, 2012
A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY TO OUR OUTRIGGER ‘OHANA
Christoph Berger
Joins the Outrigger ‘Ohana
Lessons in Tourism
From Karate
I am pleased to join Human
Resources in announcing the appointment
of Christoph Berger as General Manager
of the Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort in
Phuket, Thailand.
As you will remember, Outrigger®
announced in July that we had entered
into an agreement to acquire the 254key resort in Laguna Phuket, Asia’s
leading luxury integrated destination
resort. Chris, who is the current hotel
General Manager, is being retained and
will oversee major renovations of the
beachfront property, which is scheduled
Christoph Berger
to reopen and welcome its first guests on
April 1, 2013.
Chris, who hails from Germany, is well acquainted with our new
hotel in Phuket having served as its General Manager since 2007
overseeing the property’s operations, financial performance and sales
and marketing. He was also Executive Assistant Manager at the hotel
between 2002 and 2004 before taking senior managerial roles at five-star
hotels in Bangkok and Dubai.
Chris’s extensive operational experience will be a major asset to
Outrigger as we create a modern beach holiday experience that delivers
the essence of a great Phuket holiday.
The Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort will be the second Outrigger
property in Laguna Phuket, joining the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort
and Villas, which we have managed since August 2009.
When it reopens, the new Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort will
include a spa, tennis courts, meeting and conference rooms, extensive
water features and slides, a resort pool, a fully equipped gym, and a
kids’ club. The resort, which is conveniently located just a 30-minute
drive from Phuket International Airport, Patong Beach, and Phuket
town, will be the only property in the Laguna destination resort to have
a dedicated club lounge for travelers looking for additional personal
service and privacy.
Welcome to the Outrigger ‘ohana, Chris. We all look forward to
working with you to make the Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort a great
long-term success.
Last weekend, my wife Linda and I attended
a karate tournament in Denver, Colorado, and,
while it was colorful, fast-moving and enjoyable,
I could not take my mind away from the fact
that this modest event I was witnessing provided
a real-life example of several major benefits of
international Travel & Tourism:
• International tourism creates many jobs and
provides opportunities for workers at all
skill levels.
• International tourism is an important export
that brings money back to our country to help
pay for all the products and services we import.
• International tourism promotes peace and
understanding between people from vastly
cultures located in very different parts of
the world.
The tournament also provided an excellent
illustration of a key obstacle to our country’s more
complete enjoyment of these benefits, namely that:
• Current U.S. government visa policies and
procedures restrict international tourism
and keep it from achieving its full potential
in all the areas listed above.
The event we
attended was the
14th World Karate
Championships,
presented by
the Funakoshi
Shotokan Karate
Association (www.
fska.com). Hawai‘iborn and raised
John Bolosan, an
internationally
acclaimed karate
champion, was
Tournament
Director and Host.
Sensei John Bolosan
By Darren Edmonstone
By Dr. Richard Kelley
Continued on page 12
Saturday Briefing
Page 1
Happy Birthday!
October 3: Unaloto V. Latu, Milton T. Kami,
Ricol H. Akana-Phillips, Estrelita Sagadraca,
Charlene A. Luning, Glenda W. Shirley, Brian
Mohammed and Vasemaca Tagataga.
October 4: Clenna Seguancia, Susana P.
Macadangdang, Carmelita P. Cascasan,
Melvin Y. Kaneshige, Kristina K.S. Flores,
Monica L. Kauhane, Tammy A. Awong,
Rovelyn Cariaga, Anna Ji and Ruchira
(Mon) Cousins.
October 5: Diane M. Cox, Doreen M.
Regohos, Kyle W. Richards, Tita Rechy
and Lavinesh Naidu.
October 6: Sheila C. Y. Shinn, Emilio A.
Puyot Jr., Chao Hong Xu, Chi-Man Mar
and Cinderella M. Cacayorin.
October 7: Deelight A. Quezon, John
Henry Q. Acosta, Sauiluma Fonoti, Chun
Chan Liang, Robert D. Garcia, Adonis
II Ronquillo, Francis Magbutay, Geoff
Powell, Erica Selinger, Rahul Singh,
Peerawat Jompong and Sujittra Jantawee.
October 8: Yee Wan Wong, Ornina Karen,
Venaisi Nawaqe, William Saukalou, Kanya
Sittisak and Boonlap Prayooncharoen.
October 9: Bobbie Jean Asato, Dionisia
C. Dumlao, Ganapati Maheshwaran,
Gina M. Mier, Jenny K. Gambsky,
Rosario U. Abad, Tamara A. K. B.
Montgomery, Alex Hang Sheen, Michael
Mariano and Semi Muatabusuka.
Employment Opportunities
If you are interested in the position listed below and meet the
qualifications, you may apply online. Please go to www.Outrigger.com,
click on ABOUT OUTRIGGER, then EMPLOYMENT. We only accept
online applications for the open-listed positions from internal candidates.
If you have any questions, please call Chad Teramae at (808) 921-6989.
Application deadline for the following positions is September 28, 2012.
Systems Operator (Full Time)
High school diploma or equivalent required. Position requires working the
graveyard overnight shift. Valid driver’s license and clean driving abstract
required to travel to various properties to repair and/or install networks and
computers. Excellent written and verbal communication required. Minimum
one year mainframe computer systems operations, computer hardware and
software maintenance experience on Macintosh and IBM personal computers
within a large company required. Hotel Industry experience preferred. Must
be able to read and understand technical and computer programming manuals
and user documentation. Must also be able to process basic mathematical
calculations when analyzing various computer projects and reports. Must be
able to work on a computer keyboard and/or typewriter to process written
documents and reports. Must also be able to install and maintain electronic
circuitry. Must also be able to walk for various periods of time to travel to
various properties to repair and/or install networks and computers. Must be
able to lift, push and or pull 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/
or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds with or without the aid of a
dolly, hand-truck or cart. Must also be able to stoop, kneel, bend, squat and
twist the body while using various hand tools such as a screwdriver in order to
install and/or replace computer hardware.
Blood Drive
By Kyle Richards
Saturday Briefing is published
by and for employees of
Outrigger Enterprises Group (OEG)
Editor-In-Chief: Richard Kelley
Senior Editor: Kathy Foley
Supervising Editor: Proofing Assistant:
Contributing Writers:
Pila Hanson
Char Luning
Employees of OEG
Visit us online at:
www.saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com
Submissions to Kathy Foley
at kathysb@outrigger.com,
via interoffice mail to OEH/HR,
or by phone at (808) 921-6957.
© 2012 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii
Saturday Briefing
Page 2
An Equal Opportunity Employer
With more than half of us needing blood during our lifetimes,
maintaining a safe and adequate community blood supply is important to
everyone. By donating blood, you’ll help ensure that it is available for all
who need it, and you’ll help save up to three lives.
Everyday in Hawai‘i, hundreds of patients count on volunteer blood donors
for their very survival. The donation process is safe and usually takes less than an
hour. There is some paperwork, a confidential interview and a mini physical, but
the actual collection of blood takes only five to eight minutes.
If you are interested in donating, and would like to make an
appointment for the upcoming Blood Drive, please contact Kyle Richards
at 921-6543 or by email at kyle.richards@outrigger.com
Thursday, October 4, 2012
9 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk®
4th Floor Meeting Room #1
Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji Community Project
By Una Murray
Sitting front: Sagill Sharma, Rajesh Sharma and Kuni Kaikurukuru. Sitting back:
Ravinesh Sharma, Sani Naidu, Chreshni Chaudhry, Gushan Ali and Shanil
Kumar. Standing: Shynal Kumar, Venkat Rao, Pratik Kumar, Rhendhir Kumar,
Monil Sharma, Ramjeet Singh, Rajnesh Kumar, Nilesh Kumar and Janandra Kumar
“Golden” Guest
By Una Murray
During the Farebrother Cup rugby match, the Outrigger
on the Lagoon - Fiji invited Fiji’s Olympian Iliesa Delana to
join us to watch the Farebrother Cup win!
Iliesa competed for Fiji and won gold at the 2012
Summer Paralympics in the high jump. He lost his left leg in
a bus accident at age three. Delana is the first Fijian to win
any medal at the Paralympics (or Olympics), and the first
athlete from the South Pacific Islands to win gold.
Iliesa comes from a nearby village where some of our
vuvale also live.
Iliesa Delana (left) and his cousin Sitiveni Mara with Jason Zvatora (back)
On Saturday, September 15, the Finance Team took
on a community project at Kulukulu Public School and
spent a day painting the school’s library and washroom.
Once complete, they joined the rest of the Outrigger on the
Lagoon – Fiji vuvale (family) in cheering on the Nadroga
Stallions rugby team, who successfully defended the
Farebrother Cup title.
The Finance Team is proud of their efforts to upgrade the
facilities at the school. It is only through community efforts,
like those of our Finance team, that facilities standards are raised
in these rural schools. A number of our vuvale have children at
Kulukulu Public School, so the project was quite meaningful. General Manager Peter Hopgood said, “It is an integral
part of the culture at the resort that each month one of the
departments undertakes a major community program. We
all feel blessed to work in such a magnificent resort and feel
beholden to give back to our community. I am very proud of
our Finance Team.”
Outrigger Laguna Phuket
Participates in Chemgtalay
Tourism Sports Day
By Patcharee Chanantho (Khun Paew)
Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas participated in
the 3rd Cherngtalay Tourism Sports Day from 1-15 September
2012. The purpose of this activity is “to strengthen the
relationship amongst hotels and companies in the Cherngtalay
area as well as to encourage our Hosts to continue the exercise of
building good team work.” Fourteen organizations participated,
including hotels, police and the Cherngtalay Municipal. The
competition consisted of five sports: football male, volleyball
male and female, table tennis and Sepak takraw (kick volleyball)
(http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepak_takraw). We were thrilled
to win first runner-up for table tennis and Sepak takraw.
Outrigger Laguna Phuket Sepak takraw players and supporters!
Saturday Briefing
Page 3
Shawn Usami
Promoted!
By Barry Wallace
Shawn Usami
I am pleased to join Human
Resources in congratulating Shawn
Usami on his promotion to Director
of Revenue Management for the
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.
Shawn continues to report to
General Manager Robert McConnell
and is responsible for all aspects of
optimizing revenues. Doreen Nohara,
Revenue Coordinator, and Gwen
Boyce, Group Coordinator, will
continue to report to Shawn.
Shawn has been Revenue Manager
at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
since October 2010. Prior to that,
he worked as the Revenue Manager
at the Best Western® The Plaza and
OHANA® Honolulu Airport hotels.
Shawn has grown with Outrigger
having worked as Guest Services
Manager at the OHANA Waikiki East
Hotel and Bellman at the then Waikiki
Beachcomber Hotel.
Born in Honolulu, Shawn is a
graduate of Roosevelt High School.
Some of the activities he enjoys in his
spare time are golfing, spearfishing
and eating sushi with his wife Shanna
of 3½ years. He and Shanna also
enjoy time together walking their
Maltese, Bubba.
Great job and congratulations,
Shawn, on this well-deserved
promotion. We are confident of your
exceptional capabilities and are excited
for your future with Outrigger.
Saturday Briefing
Page 4
Outrigger Guam Resort Happenings
By Lisa Lenckowski
Welcoming South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson
Inetnon Gef Pago Cultural Dance Group, Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo and Congressman
JoeWilson, Second District, South Carolina, and staff
Hosting Guam Visitors Bureau’s 25th Guam Micronesia Island
Fair Press Conference
From left: Jackie Marati, Bank of Guam; Quentin Koch, United Airlines; Joanne Camacho, GM-GVB;
Jon Denight, Deputy GM-GVB; Frank Guerrero, DFS Galleria; and Marie Monge, KUAM
Sponoring the 1st Annual Chocolate Festival 2012
Along with with ABCFoodGuide.com
In-House band Jesse Bias and Ruby Santos entertained the crowd during the 1st Annual Chocolate Festival
Recognizing Our Housekeepers
By Barry Wallace
Last week was International
Housekeepers Week, and I had the
privilege of celebrating with our
dedicated, hardworking Housekeepers
at various properties in Waikīkī. Buffet
lunches, desserts, gifts and prizes
were enjoyed and lots of laughter
and excitement with games like toilet
paper toss, bed-making contests and
lucky number drawings. I was honored
to be a part of these festivities and
humbled as our Housekeepers shared
how grateful they are to be working for
Outrigger Hotels.
An essential and very important
part of our business, our Housekeepers
take pride in keeping our hotels clean,
fresh and safe on a daily basis, striving
to provide a healthy environment for
our guests and staff.
Not only are our Housekeepers
the heart of our company, they have
huge hearts as well, leaving thank you
notes for our guests, sharing home
grown fruits and vegetables and even
offering local omiyage (gifts) upon a
guest’s departure. It’s these kind and
thoughtful gestures that “make” a
guest’s stay a memorable experience
and result in our high percentage
of return guests who often request
a room only if it is serviced by their
favorite Housekeeper.
Here are just a sampling of some of
the comments shared by our guests:
• Housekeeping did an excellent job
each day.
• Rooms were absolutely fabulous.
• The cleanliness was outstanding!
• The rooms are large and
comfortable. Clean and very
inviting…
• Bathrooms are large and clean.
Outrigger enjoys this week because
it allows us to show our appreciation to
our Housekeepers and recognize them
for the hard work they do year-round. I
enjoy this week because I have great fun
sharing time and lunch together with
our Housekeepers – they’re the best!
More photos 6 - 11
Outrigger Surfers ParadiseTeam: Front: Amanda Price, Pupe Srisura and Rohini Lata.
Back: Debra Winter, Tess Perez, Hulya Cicek, Emi Abrey, Charlotte Yang, Ranjanben Sidha,
Bhumika Patel, Olivr Kirstenfeldt, Ploy Thonghung-Dean and Ann Parker
Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort & Spa, Noosa Team: Front: Zac Williams, Noelene Holz,
Michael Suomalainen and Lea-Anne Fletcher. Back: Dennis Britt, Fiona Roma, Melissa Large,
Robert Smith, Nikki Anderson and Naomi Stiller
Outrigger Twin Towns Resort Housekeeping Team enjoys a Picnic in the Park
Saturday Briefing
Page 5
Recognizing Our Housekeepers
Continued from page 5
Front: Rodel Juan, Dana Sato, Fritzie Ramones and Valentino Castillo. Back: Daniel
Patrocinio, Eric Liu, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Michael Zampaga and Aurelio Transfiguracion
Front: Maribeth Julian-Qiocho, Epifania Taaca, Consuelo Butay and
Celestina Lazo. Back: Josef Javonillo, Ester Angeles, Dr. Chuck Kelley,
Eva Bumagat, Michael Valdez and Rey Orpilla
Front: Filipinas Isidro, Normalita Lorenzo, Ely Bareng and Emiliana Cadiz. Back:
Jessica Su, Inocencia Baclig, Nena Corpuz, Dr. Chuck Kelley and Renato Garingo
Kiyo Kaneshiro, Imelda Guillermo, Josephine Villar, Narita Fangon,
Agricola Molina and Valeriana Domingo
Wyndham at
Waikiki Beach Walk®
Housekeeping ‘Ohana
Saturday Briefing
Page 6
Recognizing Our Housekeepers
Continued from page 6
Connie Caraang, Conrada Corpuz, Eufemia Saoit, Jie Li Liang,
Shao Fei Weng, Marities Tagala and Marivin Nastor
Julieto Boniel, Emerson Sales, Amador Manzano,
Ill Son Kim and Herman Chiu
Elena Ballan, Tereza Gapuzan, Anna Lau, Herman Chiu,
Nenita Nerveza and Susan Young
Sitting: Maribeth Julian-Qiocho, David Carey and Dolores Inoke
Standing: Zenaida Fukutani, Erlinda Cabalar and Eddielyne Sarimento
Sitting: Estrella Antonia, Editha Rafael and Carnita Encomienda. Standing: Norma
Pablo, Lydia Suniga, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Nieves Libed, Hon Chiu Ma and Marilyn Castillo
Front: Lucresia Ascino and Emelda Carmelotes. Back: Carmen Jadraque, LeeAnn
Frias, Janet Yadao, Valentina Salinas and Brudillo Calape
Saturday Briefing
Page 7
Recognizing Our Housekeepers
Continued from page 7
From Left: Donna King, Sherry Oyamot, Yoly Ingeniero, Mila Niau, Vangie Fernandez, Thomas Apilado, Nova Geronimo, Fe Esposo, Noraida Marvil,
Lorna Soriano, Josie Corpuz, Erlita Soriano, Editha Udarbe, Oliver De Leon, Dado Echavez, Reynold Pascua, Orlando Ruiz and Eduardo Cadavona
From left: Josie Corpuz, Melanie Soriano, Agnes Ramiro, Eugenia Pasion, Editha
Udarbe, Julia Tambio, Yoly Ingeniero, Vangie Fernandez and Jasmin Tanicala
Bed-Making Race - Team #1: Carmen Jadraque, Valentina Salinas and
Emelda Carmelotes. Team #2: Janet Yadao, Lucresia Ascino and Brudillo Calape.
Bed-Making Race-Other departments: Maintenance Crew (Joshua Kahele and
Raul Padillo) with Carmen Jadraque vs. Grounds Crew (Zephaniah Santiago and
Shawn Bailado) with Janet Yadao. John Caravalho and LeeAnn Frias as Inspectors
Emelda Carmelotes, Brudillo Calape, Jocelyn Mallen,
Rosario Transfiguracion, Rosita Arellano and LeeAnn Frias
Saturday Briefing
Page 8
Recognizing Our Housekeepers
Continued from page 8
John Caravalho, LeeAnn Frias, Lucresia Ascino, Emelda Carmelotes, Rosita Arellano,
Rosario Transfiguracion, Jocelyn Mallen, Lydia Paguirigan and Chuck Okazaki
Front: Valentina Salinas, Lucresia Ascino, LeeAnn Frias, Janet Yadao, Emelda
Carmelotes and Brudillo Calape. Back: Joshua Kahele, Zephaniah Santiago,
Raul Padillo, Steven Sacay, Connie Geer, Justin Barido, Shawn Bailado,
Richard Sacay, Carmen Jadraque and John Caravalho
Back: Mei Qing Tan, her son and Joyce Su
Front: Xi Li Liu, Jie Zhen Li, Jing Yun Wu and Shu Wen Chen
Back: Shin Ling Vat, Joselyn Valenzuela, Clara Han, Milagros Javier,
Cecilia Ferrer and Revinia Cabbab. Front: Leonila Francisco,
Agripina Agyapas, Elive Amor and Cons Gampong
Yuk Doong Chee, Shao Qun Liang and Lin Heung Lo
Shao Yu Miu, Yuh Wah Kwan and Denise Torres
Saturday Briefing
Page 9
Recognizing Our Housekeepers
Continued from page 9
Back: Shao Yu Miu, Shin Ling Vat and Yuk Doong Chee
Front: Guo Xia Ye, Shao Qun Liang, Lin Heung Lo and Lai Hung Wong
Back: Chuck Shishido and Ricardo Lumaban
Front: Philip Gagala, Andy Lam, Philip Wong, Jian Guo Xu and Primo Agasid
Mei Qing Tan, Joyce Su, Xi Li Liu, Jie Zhen Li and Jing Yun Wu
Xin Jiang Zhou, Guo Fang Chen, Meng Lun Li and Philip Gagala
Meng Lun Li, Philip Gagala, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Andy Lam,
Philip Wong, Jian Guo Xu and Primo Agasid
Xin Jiang Zhou, Gou Feng Chen, Meng Lun Li, Philip Gagala and Andy Lam
Saturday Briefing
Page 10
Recognizing Our Housekeepers
Continued from page 10
Daniel Spracklen, Shanly Wu, Filomena Mercado and JayR Tesoro
Jane Chen, Carol Lopes, Leonida Lumantas and Ofelia Valdez
Front: Winie Ho, Nu Yang Wei, Gah Yeu Lee and Annie Catingub
Back: Yong Lai, Zenaida Cachola, Nelia Navarro, Abella Carroll,
Jane Chen, Karen Fong and Elman Pagaduan
Front: Purie Garcia, Ofelia Valdez, Mindy Nakagawa and Adelina Balmilero
Back: Nora Valdez, Josie Rivera, Isaac Namdrik, Tinay Acidera and Lauren Li
Front: Estrellita Baratti, Crisfel Antonio, Leonida Lumantas
and Xi Ping Xe Wu. Back: Yu Shin Ng and Su Fang Huang
Front: Judy Lin, Jenny Bao Hong, Un Ha Zheng, Nena Tran and Shao Bing
Liang. Back: Xiao Li Zhu, Jin Min Gan, Yu Ling Li and Angela Wan
Saturday Briefing
Page 11
Lessons in Tourism From Karate
Continued from page 1
Shihan Kenneth Funikoshi, Chair and Chief Instructor FSKA, with Sensei John Bolosan
and Dr. Richard Kelley at 14th World Karate Championships in Denver
Mililani Team Coaches Patrick Hartnett (left) and Rick Nelson
with Dr. Richard Kelley and Linda V.G. Kelley
Mililani Team Members Alan Olmos and Sean Asuncion with Dr. Richard Kelley
Mililani Team Members from the U.S.A. stand next to the Ukraine Team
during opening ceremonies
Saturday Briefing
Page 12
The headquarters hotel was the Hilton Garden Inn Denver
Airport, an affiliate property of Outrigger Enterprises Group.
Most events were held in the athletic facilities of nearby
Montbello High School.
Several hundred participants came from all over the world
to compete. We watched the Olympic-style opening parade
with participants marching in and proudly waving flags from a
total of 17 countries including Argentina, Brazil, China, France,
Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Philippines,
Poland, Russia, South Africa and United Kingdom, as well as
many American states. A team from Mililani, O‘ahu, decked
with lei, carried Hawai‘i’s state flag. The participants appeared
clean-cut and ranged in age from pre-teens to seasoned adults.
Family members accompanied many, with siblings or a parent
and child participating, coaching or assisting.
Sensei (rough translation: master, teacher) Bolosan told me
that they could have had many more international attendees
but, for reasons unknown to him, over 25 individuals from
countries such as South Africa, Poland, the Czech Republic
and Kyrgyzstan had their applications for U.S. visas either
delayed or denied by the U.S. State Department. This caused
several teams to cancel their participation and decreased total
attendance by at least 100 individuals.
None of the international participants or coaches looked like
a terrorism threat or a potential illegal immigrant to my eyes.
The challenge of obtaining visas for international travel is a
major issue that I have addressed a number of times in this space
over the years. Applying for a visa to travel to the United States
is time-consuming, difficult, bureaucratic, expensive and, often,
demeaning. The number of U.S. consulates authorized to process
visa applications is far too few, many are understaffed and, even in
the era of the Internet and excellent videoconferencing, applicants
must often travel hundreds of miles for personal interviews before
a U.S. visa application is processed. For leisure, educational and
business travelers alike, this is very discouraging and I am certain
that, as a result, the U.S. loses billions of dollars of potential export
revenue and opportunities for the creation of thousands of jobs.
The 14th World Karate Championship is just one small
example of thousands of international events that take place
or could take place in the U.S. annually and expand in scope
and numbers of attendees if these visa issues were addressed.
Events like this represent a vast market that is currently being
significantly underserved.
Difficulties with visas processing is not just a U.S. issue.
As political tensions are rising in many areas of the world,
obtaining a leisure travel or business visa to visit other countries
has too often become a problem as well. The World Travel &
Tourism Council (WTTC) recently established a task force to
evaluate this issue, measure its impact and suggest a set of “best
practice” guidelines. I am serving on that task force.
In the meantime, congratulations to Sensei Bolosan and
his dedicated team of volunteers for the completion of a very
successful edition of the World Karate Championships. The
staff at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Airport looks forward
to your return soon!