The new GM for the Sheraton Pattaya Resort is Tomo Kuriyama, an interesting young man who was born in Tokyo, but who emigrated to Hawaii with his parents when he was seven years old.
A press party was held in one of the Sheraton’s villas to allow the members of the media access to the new GM, whilst nibbling on some very special hors d’oeuvres from the Sheraton kitchen, put together by their very inventive chef Spencer Kells. The duck with “Asian” guacamole certainly got my vote!
Tomo’s journey with Starwood started at Sheraton Maui at the Front Office and led him through F&B until he was promoted to assume the position of director of rooms at Sheraton Waikiki. Tomo joined Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a luxury collection hotel, Bangkok in 2010 and was most recently hotel manager.
Tomo says about the future of hotel business: “It will be interesting to see the hotel business evolve with technology. People will utilize digital but still expect the personal interaction and hotels will need to adjust to find the right balance.”
As for cultural management: “I believe open communication can overcome cultural differences. Good leaders don’t manage people, but they manage people’s hearts,” Tomo said.
Tomo Kuriyama.
Sheraton Pattaya Resort’s management team (L to R) Spencer Kells, Director – Culinary & Service; Prin Pathanatham, Director of Sales & Marketing; Tomo Kuriyama, New General Manager; Rojjana Franzke, Executive Assistant Manager; and Thanaphat Chakkaphak, Marketing Communications Manager.
GM Tomo Kuriyama (2nd left) welcomes the Pattaya Mail team of Tony Malhotra (left), Peter Malhotra (2nd right) and Dr. Ian Corness (right) to the press meet and greet party.
