THE GLOBAL CITIZEN BRETT TOLLMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, THE TRAVEL CORPORATION
BLAZING THE TRAIL
As chief executive of family-owned, international travel agency The Travel Corporation, Tollman has his hands full managing the brand’s portfolio of over 40 awardwinning guided travel brands, including Trafalgar,
Insight Vacations, and luxury cruise operator Uniworld. Incredibly passionate about the sustainability and positive impact of travel, Tollman is also the vice-chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council and founder of the Treadright Foundation.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Tollman and his team are dedicated to immersive experiences and continual innovation in the ever-growing tourism market. Together with his #Maketravelmatter campaign with Treadright, The Travel Corporation has dedicated itself to reducing the use of single-use plastics on their guided holidays, and will be launching sustainability-focused destinations this year. These include the Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana, which is dedicated to preserving the ecosystem that surrounds it, and 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh, the group’s first Scottish property that is committed to protecting human history.
THE OM FACTOR
“If you take a wooden match out of a box, it’s easy to snap in half; but if you take all of the matches out and keep them together, it’s literally impossible to break them. Similarly, The Travel Corporation relies on our incredibly diverse portfolio to continue to be an industry leader, allowing us to constantly innovate and improve on the current formula.”
BLAZING THE TRAIL
Jennifer Karjadi has had different careers in her life before becoming a co-founder of The Union Group. It is Jakarta’s gain that she left her career as a stock broker and shoe designer. Together with her partners, she pioneered the opening of independent bars and restaurants such as Cork & Screw and Loewy in Jakarta 12 years ago, foreseeing the opportunity to create accessible establishments with good quality food and high-level service outside hotels. The Union Group currently owns nine brands and 17 establishments in Jakarta, from a New York-inspired steakhouse Bistecca to Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar – which was ranked 39 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
“We will have two new brands in Jakarta this year. The first to open is Roma, an osteria and bar serving classic Roman dishes, Neapolitan pizzas and classic Italian cocktails. The second one is Pierre, a traditional French bistro in Senopati,” shares Karjadi. The group also aims to bring their existing brands to other cities in Indonesia as well as continue to be the provider of unique products and offerings. She believes in the importance of personal touch, be it by knowing the regular customers by name in the outlets or through promotional strategies. “I have established a team of public relations and marketing managers to make sure that our guests leave satisfied and return again and again,” says Karjadi.
THE OM FACTOR
“I really like this quote by Winston Churchill and I believe this philosophy has brought me this far: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts’.”
BLAZING THE TRAIL
The bright practitioner of law left the bar to join the hospitality industry, and he has since became one of Singapore’s most dynamic hoteliers and restaurateurs. The Unlisted Collection, which started in 2006, has since collated an award-winning portfolio of establishments that span five countries. These hotels and restaurants are often situated in heritage-listed buildings that have been transformed into boutique lifestyle spots that promise an unforgettable experience.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Loh’s proven track record can be best seen back home, where he boasts an impressive resume of restaurants. The portfolio commands a respectable six Michelin stars, courtesy of Cheek Bistro, Burnt Ends, Nouri, Basque Kitchen by Aitor, and the two-starred Restaurant Zen. Loh is also deeply involved in the development of Singapore’s hospitality and tourism industry, holding numerous positions with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, National Heritage Board, and the Singapore Land Authority. As always, Loh is driven by a passion for furthering the guest experience, and will undoubtedly continue to develop future radical, cutting-edge concepts.
THE OM FACTOR
“Success is based on getting your whole team to work towards a goal; you are only as strong as your weakest link. It’s about ensuring we are able to work as a team and to make a positive difference to each of our lives and that of our guests. This is my definition of success.”
THE COURAGEOUS TRAILBLAZER JENNIFER KARJADI, FOUNDER, THE UNION GROUP THE INDUSTRY BUILDER LOH LIK PENG, FOUNDER AND CEO, UNLISTED COLLECTION