Thomas Weber has been appointed the new general manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.
Prior to his appointment, Thomas lived and worked in the Maldives for over six years, therewith, is accustomed to a secluded island lifestyle and loves every day of his job in this unique region of the globe.
While the perpetually sunny Maldives and unobstructed ocean views are a far cry from Klosters, where Thomas grew up in the Swiss Alps, it is not surprising that he chose a career in hospitality given the Swiss village's stature as a ski resort for royalty and celebrities.
Thomas joined has over 35 years of extensive international hospitality experience, including F&B and management roles with luxury hotels in Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Africa, Kenya, India, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives. He began his career after secondary school through a chef's apprenticeship at Hotel Pardenn in Klosters.
Thomas began working as a general manager at the Kurland Hotel and Poloclub in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, in 2003 He later held the same position at the Mövenpick Jeddah Al Nawras in Saudi Arabia, the Mövenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore in India, and the Oberwaid in St. Gallen, Switzerland. His journey in the Maldives began as the regional general manager for Diamonds Athuruga and Thudufushi Maldives in 2016, adding Sandies Bathala Maldives to his duties in 2018, and Dusit Thani Maldives in 2019.
As the General Manager at Alila Kothaifaru, Thomas has big goals to make Alila one of the most preferred resorts in the Maldives for luxury travelers seeking a relaxing, eco-conscious escape. He plans to achieve this in collaboration with his team.
“The Maldives provides the opportunity to rejuvenate and disconnect as you can escape to your own private villa, your own private cocoon. The sustainability efforts we practice at Alila Kothaifaru and our responsible mindset towards protecting the environment make our resort especially appealing,” Thomas said.
The resort is also doing its part to empower the local community through internships, employment, and collaboration opportunities as part of its comprehensive sustainability framework. Thomas recognizes there are great talents to be discovered and developed because he has encountered many talented and enthusiastic hoteliers on these islands. Additionally, Alila Kothaifaru's custom Alila Experiences, created with the assistance of its Leisure Concierge team and local expertise, support the preservation of regional culture and customs while giving visitors a genuine Maldivian experience.
Thomas looks forward to empowering every team member through a collaborative and relationship-focused leadership style so they can be their best and create incredible experiences for visitors while surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of the Maldives.
