Midweek Catch-up with Meliá Phuket Mai Khao’s Magdalena Martorell

This week we had a poolside chat with Meliá Phuket Mai Khao’s general manager, and by that, we mean we emailed her some questions and fell asleep at our local leisure centre.

What’s your main goal for this year?

My goal this year is to join the “5 AM Club” by waking up early to dedicate time for myself to practise yoga, read or simply enjoy a nice breakfast. I don’t like to wake up and rush to work straightaway.

What’s your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?

My favourite thing is that every day is different. It is a very creative job. You are surrounded by people who are passionate about their roles and never stop creating new experiences.

It is also very rewarding to see how much guests appreciate the little details you prepare for them.

I have another favourite thing – the way you contribute to happiness!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to spend my time outdoors and by the sea. I like paddle surfing, yoga or just walking around with my golden retriever.

In the evening I like to discover new restaurants and enjoy good food.

Have you managed to do any travelling since restrictions began to ease (domestic or international)?

Yes, I have managed to do some domestic travelling which is good! When you’re lucky to live and work in The Land of Smiles, there’s no need to go very far to enjoy travelling.

What’s your favourite travel company, besides the one you work for?

I like Revivo hotels because they are boutique resorts that are wellness inspired.

I also admire the Kimpton brand because of its vibrant personality and the fact that its hotels welcome dogs of any size.

If you could invite three famous guests (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would you choose?

Chef Ferran Adrià, painter and engineer Leonardo da Vinci and a rchitect Santiago Calatrava.

They are all highly creative geniuses. I am sure something new would emerge from this dinner.

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

To name a few: more connection with family and spending more time together, solidarity in the sense people have helped each other in the community, for first time countries around the world have been united by the same goal and nature has had some time to relax and recover from the devastation caused by humans.

What’s your advice for others in the travel industry on coping with the global pandemic?

Be creative and think differently. This is a new beginning and the patterns from the past might not work anymore. And be resilient.

What book and/or TV show can you not get enough of lately?

Marketing 5.0 by Philip Kotler because it describes the coexistence of different generations and how different they are.

Do you have any travel goals for 2022?

I would love to visit Australia! However, I might have to postpone this goal until 2023 as I will visit my family in Spain this year.