ISLAND CHARM CHAMPION
Bringing his global experience to the pristine shores of Boracay,
ZSOLT SIKET ensures that more than delivering excellent service and achieving the desired customer satisfaction that the hospitality chain is known for, the team also pays the much-deserved respect to their island home with sustainable and eco-friendly practices, guaranteeing its future
“Wesee environmental protectionnot onlyasaslogan oramarketing ploybutreally aninitiative integrated intoour operations.”
Zsolt Siket, The Lind Boracay’s General Manager, prides in the rich amount of professional experience he’s had in his remarkable career in the hospitality industry. As proprietors of a restaurant business, his parents immersed him in his field of interest since his early years, with summer holidays spent working in and learning the trade. As expected, a degree in hospitality management followed, with him earning degrees from various institutions in Hungary, Switzerland, and the United States. With a global career that has brought him to Hungary, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Thailand, China, and now, the Philippines, Zsolt brings in not just invaluable experience, but a sincere desire to make everyone feel welcome at The Lind Boracay.
Surrounded by a team that is high-achieving and passionate for guest experiences, Zsolt is more than happy to instill in them the many values he has learned throughout his career and in turn, learn from them as well. “In my capacity and role, I lead our people to always get the basics right and to continuously improve our existing practices. I am a big believer in people and culture, thus I support a creative atmosphere in order to encourage new ideas in creating overwhelmingly unforgettable guest experiences. In this regard, I harness the inherent love for welcoming guests among Filipinos through self-development and training. I strongly believe that continuous learning can bring out the best in each and every team member,” he explains. True to his word, Zsolt tells us of the premium hotel chain’s initiatives in making sure that the team not only excels in the workplace, but reaches their full potential as budding hoteliers as well. “We look after our staff and train them vigorously and constantly so that they develop valuable skills.”
The generous support does not remain only inside the walls of the hotel but also extends to the community it lives in. Worth mentioning is how the premier hotel chain provides employment to the tourist hotspot, always on the lookout for the best and most promising talent among locals. And every Christmas since 2015, the team has been inviting Boracay’s Ati Choir to perform and serenade guests. This conscientious effort is part of the many sustainable practices that The Lind has been doing to give back to the place they call home. This also includes preserving the beauty of the island’s natural resources. Zsolt expresses his agreement with the company’s Policies, “We from The Lind are conscious that we play a critical part in saving this invaluable resource. Therefore, we try our best to maintain ecologically-sensitive operations. We see environmental protection not only as a slogan or a marketing ploy but really an initiative integrated into our operations.”
In November 2016, The Lind Boracay replaced single-use plastic water bottles in all rooms and suites with glass bottles. Welcome treats are also placed inside glass jars in the rooms, avoiding the need to place these in more single-use plastic containers. In 2018, The Lind Boracay became one of the first to be on-board World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines’ (WWF-Philippines) #AyokongPlastik campaign. The admirable virtue of being environmentally conscious is consistently encouraged among the employees, with beach clean-ups and tree planting activities that the team always looks forward to. Zsolt adds, “We remain committed to promoting tourism, specifically in our case, Boracay, in a responsible manner. We are glad that we are moving towards this direction as we have seen that concrete steps are being made towards this goal of sustainable tourism.”
On the national level, The Lind Boracay acknowledges its part in contributing to the growth of the country’s tourism by participating in the Department of Tourism’s vigorous campaigns, among other ways, in promoting the Philippines here and abroad. “The hospitality industry has been a vital agent in the continuous positive growth of Philippine tourism, and conversely, the economy,” Zsolt says. “Hotels and their respective staff are hardworking and passionate not only in giving world-class service but also unique, personalized approaches to guest experiences, one that can be categorized as 'Filipino hospitality'. For us at The Lind, we think this creates a more lasting impression on tourists: warm, distinct and genuine hospitality.”
Managing his team and providing excellent guest experiences needs a deep understanding of the island’s offerings. And with his active lifestyle, Zsolt succeeds in doing this by taking part in various beach activities. Basketball, a daily swim at the crystal clear waters of Boracay (“Yes, every day!,” he exclaims), his recent fascination with scuba diving (“I will have my open water scuba diners’ exam this year”), and a genuine curiosity to learn kite surfing has given him fantastic firsthand experiences of what activities he can offer guests. Stating his interest to learn more about the Philippines, he tells us Palawan, Batanes, Bohol, and Cebu are on top of his musttravel list. For a well-deserved rest and relaxation, Zsolt shares that a nice dinner with his partner, yoga, or a signature massage at The Spa Wellness at The Lind does the trick. “With a stretch of powdery fine white sand just in front of The Lind, long walks on the beach are very relaxing as well,” he shares. And for time alone, reading a great book and having a glass of wine provide rejuvenation.
“Know your purpose,” advises Zsolt. “I think the key is for you to identify both professional and personal goals that help you achieve your purpose.” Consistent with his goals for his team, Zsolt lists mentoring the next generation of hoteliers both through leadership and example, a professional goal for himself. As for The Lind, to make it an iconic Filipino hospitality brand, and to expand it. Continuous learning and self-development are essential for him as well as being open-minde. “We can’t be self-referential; there’s an entire world we can learn from,” he shares. Quintessentially, his main purpose is to live happily and to enjoy what he is doing. He concludes, “Being with my loved ones, keeping a fit body and a healthy view on life— these keep me on track on living my purpose.”