Mohamad Iswandi Maaruf has been named the President of Brunei Association of Hotels (BAH) for the second time after winning majority votes for the 2023/2024 session.
Other seven members were also elected for the positions of vice president, honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, and executive committee.
They are Nuriyah Safawati Salim, Paula Munoz, Conrad Boyd Mosidin, Kee Taufek Kee Harrith, Andy Goh, Wendy Foo and Jasmine Sim who are from Parkview Hotel, Radisson Hotel, Abdul Razak Apartment, Mulia Hotel, Brunei Hotel, Swiss Hotel and Lanes Hotel, respectively.
Mohamad Iswandi in a statement said that it was an honour to be re-elected and to serve as the president of BAH for another term.
“I am deeply grateful that our members have entrusted me with another term in this role. BAH will continue to be the voice of the industry, to strive toward tourism growth and industry harmony,” he said.
He added: “In building a highly skilled, innovative and disciplined workforce in the hospitality industry, BAH will work closely together with Manpower Industry Steering Committee, Job Center, Tourism Development Department, institutions in Brunei Darussalam, as well as private tourism bodies.”
BAH welcomes all hotels in the country to be part of the association for it acts as a platform for key industry players to contribute towards growing the local hospitality economy.
Touching on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hotel industry, the president said that it was a very challenging time for them and that perseverance was key.
During the pandemic, most hotels were only open for quarantine. Mohd Iswandi has been exceptional in ensuring hotel employees were well-trained and well-informed on the COVID-19 standard operating procedures.
In February 2020, he created BAH Covid-19 Basic Guidelines & Checklist and Cleaning & Operational Policy (New Normal). In August 2021, he also provided Hotel Pandemic Response (Business Continuity Plan).
Moreover, on the recovery of the hospitality industry, Mohd Iswandi was actively bringing BAH and other associations working together, collaborating with Brunei Events as well as providing training to the service Industry, especially to hotels and restaurants.
With his 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, in 2020 he trained some 120 hotel employees.
“BAH has also come up with a career opportunity video to promote careers and encourage our youth to take up the opportunity that the hospitality industry can offer. Up until now, he has been making an outstanding effort to keep the hospitality industry in the country successful,” said BAH Honourable Secretary Paula Munoz.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
