‘Donning uniform for resort reopening best feeling ever’
The reopening of Plantation Island Resort brought so much joy for senior management employee Percy McIndoe.
The 35 year-old, donned into his uniform on Friday to serve incoming guests after the resort had temporarily closed in March
Mr McIndoe, the resort’s food and beverage manager, was one of the 35 member staff team that welcomed more than 60 guests over the weekend. Mr McIndoe served locals and expatriate workers who were among the first lot of guests that arrived at the resort.
“It was hard when the resort closed but it also made me see a bigger picture of life and appreciate the little things you have,” he said.
Starting off in the tourism industry
Mr McIndoe began his career at Tambua Sands in 1992 as a trainee after completing tertiary studies in hospitality .
Two years later, he joined Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa as a waiter while working his way up the ladder to become a food and beverage supervisor.
He spent five years in the role before joining InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa as food and beverage supervisor.
He later worked himself up to outlet manager/restaurant manager.
A three year stint took him to Papua New Guinea as a food and beverage manager at a tourism property.
Three years later, he returned to work at Fiji Marriott Momi Bay Resort as food and beverage manager before moving across to Plantation Island Resort. “I have not regretted coming out here because all staff here will agree with me that working under resort general manager Alex Wilson was rewarding. “He is a people’s person and very humble, while the guests are priority, Mr Wilson also looked after the welfare of the staff.
Mr McIndoe said Mr Wilson motivates staff and teaches them finance, human resource and a lot of things that makes you more familiar with how the operates.
He now looks after three restaurants, Tavola, Old Copra and Black Rock and the Snack Bar. Mr McIndoe said he sympathised for unemployed tourism workers and had encouraged friends in the industry to use their time at home to pursue higher education in the hospitality industry by using their Fiji National Provident Fund.