Ema Raiyasa Leawere

‘I have always been a strong believer that it’s up to you to ensure your success: you shouldn’t rely on anyone else to make it happen.’

Ema Rayasi Leawere set out to be a doctor. Instead she has become a tourism executive, now part of the management team at one of the main resorts still operating continuosly.

The 37-year-old is from Ketei, Totoya, Lau and youngest of eight siblings. “Growing up was tough having my dad being the only breadwinner in my family.

“You can imagine we never had what other kids would normally have while growing up.

“But my parents never failed to provide food on the table and always encouraged us to study hard and become somebody one day.

“This has always been my strongest pursue in life to keep striving in any opportunities I get.”

Her journery

“I have 18 years experience in the toursim industry.

“I went from an activities coordinator to director of sales and marketing following my passion for connecting people, project management and business agility delivery.

“I began my career journey at the Pearl Resort (pre-opening team) as an activities coordinator.”

Ms Leawere attended the Univeristy of the South Pacific when she applied for her first job while on break.

“At the time, semester break was coming up and I had applied for a holiday job to try it out.

“I got called the next day for an interview and hired on the same afternoon to start work the following day.

“I was surprised, yet worried, as I don’t have any work experience.

“It was a team of males and me, the only second female other than our supervisor.

“I guess with my bubbly personality and being a people-person, I made a lot of friends by the pool which also means a lot of sale too.”

Within the first few weeks, our sales were doing great, and her supervisor called to inform me that the company would like to offer her a full-time job.

“With some cross training programmes offered around the hotel, I thought this would be a great opportunity to further my career.

“In four months, I was rostered in different departments. These were the golf course pro shop, switch board, front office, reservation, finance, food and beverage and events, learning all about the hotel operation.

“In a span of one year and nine months, I got my first managerial position as a conference and events manager. I was 21.

“This was a great foundation for my career, learning leadership skills and harnessing my constant drive to prove myself and succeed.”

Excerpts from an interview: Tell us abit about your professional overseas exposure?

This ability to thrive under pressure and handle any challenge was one of the things that helped me secure my second job in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in similar role but more focussed on weddings.

Rarontoga is always known of its

niche wedding market.

This was an opportunity I did not want to miss out.

It was a unique experience and challenging too as this would be the first time I moved overseas and away from family.

Two years later, I had the opportunity with InterContinental Fiji, which was my next step in wanting to join one of the leading hotel chains in the world.

I was hired to look after the wedding department.

I spent four years, and my next calling was my dream place to work in Australia.

I always knew this can only be a dream even with my educational level.

But with more than nine years experience in the job, and numerous interviews back and forth, I had my visa approved in less than two months I was to take up the post of wholesale and travel agent manager in Sydney, Australia.

The position is sitting on the other side of the table in the industry.

I was specialised for Fiji and South Pacific.

Overtime, I explored that I wanted to reach the highest rank in sale and marketing in a hotel.

And to achieve this, I needed to get back to operation to further develop myself now that I have both sides of the experience in the game.

I joined Nanuku Auberge working from home undergoing project tasks for the company. Later I joined the Warwick Hotels and Resorts.

This included the Warwick Fiji, Naviti Resort, Tokatoka and Tambua Sands and Vanuatu Le Lagoon. In my time here, I have held four different positions from sales manager, area sales manager, regional sales manager to director of sales and marketing in a span of three years.

Tell us about educational background?

I wanted to be a doctor, so I took pure science at school.

However, this changed towards the end of my secondary school years. I took some units at the University of the South Pacific, where everything changed when I had a holiday job during a semester break.

This was a completely turn around and I never looked back from there to now.

Through several years of experience in the industry, I then pursued further studies and obtained a Diploma in leadership and Management from Sydney University.

Can you tell us about your role and experience as a director of sales and marketing?

My role is responsible for managing and implementation of the hotels sales and marketing strategies and achieving budgeted revenue for the hotel.

This includes maximising revenues by developing programmes to increase occupancy and make profitable use of its available facilities.

Importantly, ensuring the delivery of outstanding quality service for all customers.

It is a very challenging role and rewarding, as it has a substantial influence on the success of the business.

But I like challenge as where there is a challenge there is an opportunity.

You meet and work with diverse people in all walks of life.

You learn and exchange ideas every day.

You got to think outside the box and be creative to see how else you can keep the business going when your main source markets are closed.

It takes a lot of hard work, sacrifices. A great leader and team is pivoted to be successful in this situation.

I have always been a strong believer that it’s up to you to ensure your success.

You shouldn’t rely on anyone else to make it happen.

How do you manage the demands of professional and personal commitments?

It is always important to have a great work life balance.

Having the right skill sets and team that delivers day to day needs allows you to enjoy your personal life commitments.

You must have flexibility and understanding as sometimes you must sacrifice one to accommodate the other and vice versa.

What are some of the challenges faced by the industry?

Unemployment, market cannibalisation, shortage of goods and services.

What is the most rewarding thing about

your job?

A full hotel with happy guests and happy staff.

What is your philosophy about business as a whole and your vision for Radisson?

We are all in this together. We have survived one year, and for how much longer I don’t know.

But I do know one thing, we will rise again.

We need to keep sharing the positive vibe, mindset, the right attitude and support each other in working towards how we can sustain business.

You need to be creative and think outside the box.

Have you been inspired or influenced by anyone in particular?

My late mother who has shaped me to be the woman I am today.

She taught me to always be myself, stay humble, be brave, and always trust in the Lord.

How would you define a leader?

A leader that can lead and guide a team.

Motivating and inspiring everyone to get them to where they need to be. To do something well or better and to be the very best they can be. Throughout my career, I’ve always reminded myself of one thing: turn off the background noise and do what you need to succeed. Challenge yourself. My leadership comes from a desire to help build others in the process. Teamwork is at the heart of great things.

I have had many leaders through my career that have demonstrated that for me, for my own leadership journey.

What impact has COVID-19 pandemic had on your professional and personal life?

In my profession, obviously with borders closed, this had huge impact on the business.

I was fortunate to be part of the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji team that took quick action changing strategies, focusing on the local market when it hit us last year.

This kept the hotel open when everyone else was closed.

We had some reduced salary, but still working as five days a week.