Few Good Man - Loyality Beyond Reason

Few Good Man - Loyality Beyond Reason by Sumantri

Port Vila 27th May 2009. Mr & Mrs Ray Kent are one of Iririki Island Resort & Spa loyal guests. I was very fortunate to be friend with Mr. Kent and his wife during their stayed at Iririki Island Resort & Spa

Just a short chatted with him at the lobby and I have learned and being inspired with their VOC (voice of customer). Mr. Kent said “ I like this resort very much, we have been staying here 5 consecutive times in this resort.” Meanwhile, it was heavily rain when I started to open the conversation with both of them.

My first question to Mr. Kent was “being a loyal guest to Iririki what do you think that we can make your stay more enjoyable? He said whilst his hand directed to Iririki jetty outside lobby.” You don’t have to do a big thing to win somebody heart, look at your guests there running from the jetty to the lobby! If there is someone help with umbrella, I believe they will be appreciated” I quickly respond to agree with Mr. Kent. That message so much so, clicks in my plan that I am going to implement in this resort.

“What else Mr. Kent?” I asked. Mr. Kent said things that you have to look which Iririki does not have in the loyalty program like other hotel. Again I am very impressed and quickly respond to agree with Mr. Kent, this is another part that I have been wanted to implement in this resort, indirectly, I guess that I have received a positive respond from Mr. Kent the guest who is really represented what I am looking for Voice of Customer (VOC).

When the rain stopped, Mr. Kent and his wife they proceed to their itinerary and walked out from the lobby, last but not least, Mrs. Kent told me that today is Mr. Kent birthday. I don’t really have an opportunity to say happy birthday to him since Mr. Kent was rushing to catch the boat. It was 2.45pm at that time, well, without any hesitate, I take my initiative to get a blank resort card and turned it to a greetings card, I wrote on the card “ Happy Birthday Mr. Kent” from all of us,

I get everyone from reservation and front office to signed and arranged to send to Mr. Kent room together with bottle of Champaign for his surprise!. The next day, the receptionist would like to meet me and finally, I met Mr. Kent, and he sincerely thanks me on behalf for the surprise card and Champaign! Finally, I am able to say “Happy Birthday to Mr. Kent”!.

After Mr/Mrs Kent departed from the resort I sent e-thank for his loyality beyond reason:

Dear Mr. Kent,
We would like to sincerely thank you for your loyalty and passion to Iririki Island Resort & Spa! It is very inspiring effort that you can be able to convince your friends to spend their holiday at Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Vanuatu instead of Honolulu. I am really admired your sincerity and I wanted to let you know that I really appreciates it very much.

Iririki Island Resort & Spa always open up for your feedback and suggestion. Should you have any feedback on our services and facilities which you would like to share with us, we would be delighted to hear from you.
This would give us the opportunity to address any possibility of improvement with every effort we can to deliver the highest standard and exceed guest expectation.
I have attached a candid shot at Iririki Island Resort & Spa for your own photo album.
Thank you again for showing your loyalty and looking forward to welcoming you again!
Kindest personal regards,
Iririki Island Resort & SPA




Sumantri Endang
Rooms Division Manager

About Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Vanuatu. Surrounded by crystal clear blue water, you've got 69 acres of a private island, to indulge in. Situated in the heart of Port Vila – Republic Vanuatu, South Pacific. This tranquil island haven is situated ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from the town centre. Our 24-hour complimentary ferry will enable you to see as much or as little off the island. Iririki Island Resorts and Spa offers two unique styles of accommodation. With over 130 guest rooms, with a variety of views, you have the choice of indulging in one of our tropical island bungalows at the original Iririki Island Resort, or in one of the spacious and contemporary penthouse style rooms at Snorkelers Cove.With four bars, a handful or restaurants and a variety of cuisines, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a day spa and the tropical, crystal clear waters of Vanuatu, you’ll soon discover what the locals call ‘paradise’.For information visit:www.iririki.com ph:+67823388 Fax:+67823880 or Email: rdm@iririki.com

Few good men – Room key found inside clear water

Few good men – Room key found inside clear water by Sumantri

Vanuatu 14th June 2009. Kalsonh Kalpokai is living at Ifira island located next to Iririki island resort & Spa, on daily life he drive to and ford from mainland Iririki jetty at township Port Vila to Ifira island by Banana Boat and passed by Iririki Island Resort. One day he found an Iririki Island Resort room key No.74 under the clear water somewhere near Ifira Island. Through Edward, the resort duty manager handed over the key to me. When we checked the room key, it was certainly the guest from room 74. Guest did make a report that he lost his room key when they went for kayaking around the island that day. As a Rooms Division Manager and On behalf of Iririki Island Resort & Spa,I personally met Mr. Kalsonh Kalpokai to show my appreciation and thank him for his sincere effort returning the key to us and we appreciated his effort in awarded him the Iririki t-shirt as a small token.

About Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Vanuatu. Surrounded by crystal clear blue water, you've got 69 acres of a private island, to indulge in. Situated in the heart of Port Vila – Republic Vanuatu, South Pacific. This tranquil island haven is situated ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from the town centre. Our 24-hour complimentary ferry will enable you to see as much or as little off the island. Iririki Island Resorts and Spa offers two unique styles of accommodation. With over 130 guest rooms, with a variety of views, you have the choice of indulging in one of our tropical island bungalows at the original Iririki Island Resort, or in one of the spacious and contemporary penthouse style rooms at Snorkelers Cove.With four bars, a handful or restaurants and a variety of cuisines, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a day spa and the tropical, crystal clear waters of Vanuatu, you’ll soon discover what the locals call ‘paradise’.For information visit:www.iririki.com ph:+67823388 Fax:+67823880 or Email: rdm@iririki.com

Snap Shot - Magnificant sunset at Westin Denarau Island - Fiji

Fiji 5th June 2009. Magnificant sunset at Westin Denarau Island - Fiji by Sumantri

Snap Shot - Magnificant sunset at Westin Denarau Island - Fiji

Fiji 4th June 2009, Magnificant sunset at Westin Denarau Island - Fiji by Sumantri

Snap Shot - Magnificant sunset moment at Iririki Mainland Jetty

Port Vila, 9th June 2009,Magnificant sunset moment at Iririki Mainland Jetty. Iririki Island Resort & Spa,Vanuatu. Photo taken by Amirah

Snap Shot - Magnificant sunset at Iririki Mainland Jetty

Port Vila, 9th June 2009.

Magnificant sunset at Iririki Island Resort & Spa mainland Jetty, photo taken by Amirah

Snap Shot - Magnificant sunset at Michener's Pool

Port Vila 9th June 2009.

Magnificant sunset at Michener's Pool, Iririki Island Resort & Spa Vanuatu.

Decorative booths at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange 2009 by Sumantri

Decorative booths at Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange 2009 by Sumantri

Fiji 5th June 2009.There were over 300 booths available during BFTE 2009. Each of participants decorated their booth as creative as possible from beach theme to the lounge set up from office setting look to convenience waiting room environment. Giant poster, match furniture, pandan floor mat, banner, wall creative painting and table setting were materials used to decorate this 3 meter x 2,5 meter booth

Lunch during Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange 2009 by Sumantri

Lunch during Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange 2009 by Sumantri

Fiji 5th June 2009, Huge in- door dining area set up to cater over 600 people every day during Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange 2009, located at Sheraton parking area, ten minutes walk from BFTE village. An array of choices of food available from Australian to Asian food. Lunch time are also often use to build networking for some of participants of BFTE 2009

Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange – BFTE 2009

Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange – BFTE 2009 by Sumantri
Fiji 5th June 2009. The Pacific Region is an exciting tourism destination. Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange (BFTE) one of the biggest tourism events in the pacific to promote tourism opened from 31st May 2009 to 5th June 2009, this BFTE 2009 take placed at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club in Nadi on the main island of Viti Levu and approximately 25 minutes from Nadi airport Fiji. Host by Sheraton Fiji Resort & Villas,Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa. It is a great opportunity to meet and build net working among the buyer and seller. There are approximately 141 buyers claimed to be from around the world but very limited number from Asia, USA and Europe to participate in this event. And 195 seller from The Pacific Region joint this year.
Republic Vanuatu represented by 4 representatives apart from Vanuatu Tourism Office, they were Iririki Island Resort & Spa, Le Meridian and La Lagoon and Evergreen.
Irirki Island Resort & Spa representative lead by Silvana Perna senior Director of Sales & Marketing, based in Melbourne accompany by Sumantri Endang a new kid on the block the Rooms Division Manager of the resort. Silvana actively take a lead in conducting approximately 37 appointments meeting through the even from updating a product to discuss new issues arise. Resort has given a gift such as sarong, golf cap and t-shirt to each travel agent who attended an appointment

Experience Vanuatu - Vanuatu's national dish, the Lap Lap by Sumantri

Experience Vanuatu - Vanuatu's national dish, the Lap Lap by Sumantri

The food is wrapped in large banana leaves - and when a parcel is handed over it looks like a bright green present. Lap Lap is like a root vegetable cake. First, Ni Van grate up taro and pound it into a paste. They then smash open a coconut to get the milk. The taro paste is spread out on a big green banana leaf and sprinkled with a bit of the coconut milk. Then a layer of island cabbage is added. More coconut milk is poured in followed by another layer of the paste.Then the meat is added - such as beef or fish, and the whole thing is wrapped up in the big green leaves. Then it's put in the ground in a rock oven and cooked for about half an hour.
LAP-LAP
you can make your own (see recipe below). You can buy Lap Lap at the market most days, but please don eat the banana leaves. Lap Lap ingredients:
· Coconut milk
· Island cabbage (optional)
· Taro or manioc or cooking bananas
· For something different use a mix of any two above ingredients. Or add sweet potato (kumala) with your manioc.
· Banana leaves for wrapping
Take some manioc or taro and grate to a paste. In a separate dish grate some coconut then squeeze to get the coconut milk. Discard the pulp. Spread some banana leaves into a large square or circle then sprinkle with some coconut milk and add a layer of island cabbage. Pour some more coconut milk over the island cabbage, and then spread a thick layer of the manioc or taro paste. Spread it out and make it smooth. If you want to add meat put a layer of chicken or stew on top. Finally, top with more coconut milk. For the diet conscious use less coconut milk. Wrap in banana leaves, and put in your ground, rock oven, which you pre heated for one and a half hours with a wood fire before hand. Cook your Lap Lap for half an hour. For a slow cook to produce a dry flavour wrap in double banana leaves and leave over night.

Hospitality Joke - Toilet room

Hospitality Joke - Toilet room

Hospitality Joke - Baby Sitting

Hospitality Joke series - Baby Sitting - Housekeeping

White metal giant

White Metal Giant by Sumantri

A magnificant view of this white metal giant often seen every week right couple steps away from our apartment

AUSSIES travel agents familiarization trip at Iririki Island Resort & Spa “ by Sumantri

AUSSIES travel agents familiarization tripat Iririki Island Resort & Spa “ by Sumantri

VANUATU, 23th May 2009 – In the drive to extend the market , Iririki Island Resort & Spa recently conducted a site inspection to Austrlian agents.The aim of the visit was to show them Iririki Island Resort & Spa has to offer in order to promote interesting holiday packages for their travel agents.There are were 9 travel agents join on this familiarization, agents were given a warm welcome by Sumantri Endang, the Rooms Division Manager and Emmanuel the Front Office Manager and Ashley the Wedding Coordinator. They were taken around the resort various accommodations and facilities, and were later taken Asean Buffet feast theme night dinner at WaterMark restaurant.
About Iririki Island Resort & Spa – VanuatuSurrounded by crystal clear blue water, you've got 69 acres of a private island, to indulge in. Situated in the heart of Port Vila – Republic Vanuatu, South Pacific. This tranquil island haven is situated ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from the town centre. Our 24-hour complimentary ferry will enable you to see as much or as little off the island. Helicopter transfers are also available from the airport.Iririki Island Resorts and Spa offers two unique styles of accommodation. With over 130 guest rooms, with a variety of views, you have the choice of indulging in one of our tropical island bungalows at the original Iririki Island Resort, or in one of the spacious and contemporary penthouse style rooms at Snorkelers Cove.With four bars, a handful or restaurants and a variety of cuisines, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a day spa and the tropical, crystal clear waters of Vanuatu, you’ll soon discover what the locals call ‘paradise’.For information visit:www.iririki.com ph:+67823388 Fax:+67823880 or Email: rdm@iririki.com

Experience Vanuatu - Ekasup Village Tour, Port Vila by Sumantri

EKASUP VILLAGE TOUR by Sumantri
Port Vila, Vanuatu 21st May 2009. Ekasup village located 15 minutes drive from township of Port Vila. It is a great opportunity to learn and experience Ni - Vanuatu ancestor’s way of life. You will be great with sound of seashell trumpet upon arrival. You will than follow these warrior who blow the seashell trumpet to see the chief of village. On the way walk you will be suppressed by appearing warriors from the bushes scream on you. The chief of village and the rest of warriors gather to welcome all of guests, the chief of village than start to explain what going to be happen and experience the way of life Ni-Vanuatu ancestor’s. Begin from teaching a technique how the tribe preserve the food, this ancient technology is have the same objective to preserve the food. Experience follow by knowing how to catch the fish, hunting, trap the chicken or pigs. The tour move to other interesting subject this time is how the olden day this tribe make a medicine and what leaf they normally use for all ages of medicine, follow by explanation of cannibal were often happened and caused of cannibal also mentioned during the briefing.
Tour continues to see the way of life of Ekasup people, weaving, cooking technique they use even tested the food. Refreshment serve at the end of the tour, local handicraft also sale. Before ending the tour the warriors will performance farewell dance and song.
It is a great 2 hours experience.