Life in the time of COVID-19 with The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts’ Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale

This week, we caught up with The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts’ general manager, Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, to find out how he’s been faring amid the COVID-19 crisis.

What are you reading?

Leading, a book by Alex Ferguson and Michael Moritz.

What are you watching?

Resurrection on Netflix.

What are you listening to?

Zucchero on Spotify.

What are you cooking?

Linguine Vongole for my family.

How are you staying fit both physically and mentally?

I love playing tennis to keep fit and I constantly remind myself to stay positive, stay calm and stay on track with my life and work purpose.

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?

I have seen people show so much empathy shown towards each other in the community and on a global scale. Even among people who could be completely unrelated, there is so much compassion and camaraderie to help those who are lesser resourced.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?

I have learned to stay calm and stay in control despite the dynamic changes. There is always a solution for everything!

What’s your advice for others in the industry on coping with the crisis?

The hospitality industry is one that is resilient. We need to focus on our core strength to keep people at the heart of all that we do.

As we embrace the changes taking place, we must remain positive for the future and work closely with industry peers to share best practices and ideas.

Where is your favourite domestic travel destination?

Singapore is a small city-state, but it is full of dynamism and offers many options to immerse in rich heritage, culture, nature, cuisines and lifestyle experiences.

Personally, I love to unwind in nature, and East Coast Park is a great recreational spot. For those who love to explore Singapore off the beaten path, visit Coney Island, or you can even go kayaking at the mangrove forest in Pulau Ubin.

What is the one international travel memory keeping you going through this time?

It has to be the memory of my mum cooking the traditional ravioli and the unique preparation of the colatura, perfected by the fishermen of Salerno where I come from.

Where do you want to travel to once international travel restrictions ease up?

I would love to travel to Italy to visit my family.