Congratulations to you and Alma Resort on this prestigious award. As a resort that has been established recently, what do you think is the reason why Alma Resort has been so quickly honored by Travel + Leisure readers as the number 1 resort in Southeast Asia?
We are truly honored and delighted to receive this major award from Travel + Leisure, this recognition is like winning an Oscar - it may only come once in a hotelier's career.
I believe the main factors that contributed to this rapid rise in rankings were:
- The owners understood and enabled us to build a strong management team from the beginning, we recruited and retained top talent in all departments.
- The sprawling 30ha of stunning beachfront property sets the stage for a rich array of amenities and experiences - 12 swimming pools, 14 restaurants, a water park, cinema etc. keep guests busy throughout their stay.
- We have strived to provide international luxury amenities while connecting guests with local traditions and cuisine.
- Most importantly, we have built a team of employees imbued with a service culture that demonstrates core values of care, respect, honesty, responsibility and passion.
- Finally, it is our ability to adapt quickly and our strong will to persevere, which helps us overcome difficult times like the pandemic and always adapt to changes in the market as well as customer tastes.
Mr. Herbert Laubichler-Pichler - CEO of Alma Resort
Besides this award, has Alma Resort achieved any other achievements in the past?
In addition to being named the No. 1 resort in Southeast Asia, No. 2 in Asia and No. 9 in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2024, we are proud to have Alma Resort's reputation recognized as a great family destination:
- Our swimming pool is ranked 5th in Vietnam in the Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau magazine 2024.
- Holidays with Kids named us the Best Family Resort in Vietnam for 2 consecutive years 2023-2024, and ranked 3rd in the world in 2021.
- Luxury Lifestyle Awards honored Alma Resort as the Best Luxury Family Resort in Vietnam in 2021 and 2024.
Besides the award of No. 1 resort in Southeast Asia for Alma Resort, you yourself were also honored as "Vietnam's Best General Manager". What does this mean to Alma and to you personally?
Being named “Best General Manager in Vietnam” at Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 is a huge honor and means a lot to me and everyone at Alma. This recognition is a reward for all of our hard work and dedication. It motivates me to push boundaries, continue to learn and adapt in this dynamic industry. This award also motivates all of us at Alma to maintain a culture of continuous improvement and continue to strive to provide outstanding guest experiences.
But what means the most to me is seeing the growth of my team. Over the years, I have had the privilege of mentoring many young Vietnamese hospitality professionals, and seeing them grow in their careers has been incredibly satisfying.
In the future, what events, activities or plans will Alma Resort have to attract more and more tourists?
Alma Resort is constantly innovating and I am excited to share the future plans at Alma Resort to attract more and more domestic and international tourists.
First, we continue to expand our unique cultural tours. Our “Culture and Food Discovery” tour has been a huge success. Guests have been impressed by the cooking classes, market visits, mango orchard tours, and visits to local temples. We are partnering with local artisans and artists to create authentic exchanges, performances, and tours that give guests a deeper connection with the culture.
Alma Resort is constantly innovating to attract more and more domestic and international tourists.
We are preparing to launch a small animal farm, which will be a great attraction for families; helping children and adults learn about animals and raise environmental awareness. On the health side, we are constantly improving our services, developing a comprehensive health program that includes meditation sessions, nutrition seminars, personal fitness programs and other healing methods.
Sustainability remains our main focus. We are currently working on Vietnam’s most ambitious solar project for a resort. We are also continually upgrading our culinary offerings, welcoming several new international chefs to cater to the diverse palates at Alma.
Finally, we are investing in technology to enhance the guest experience. A new app will allow guests to easily book activities, make restaurant reservations, and learn about local attractions. These plans reflect our commitment to continually innovating and improving our services. We believe that Alma will not only attract more guests, but also ensure that each visit to Alma Resort is a new and exciting experience.
Swimming pool ranked 5th in Vietnam in Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024
