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HOW A LOVE FOR PEOPLE LED IVAYLO IVANOV, OKADA MANILA SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF HOTEL OPERATIONS, TO OVERSEE ONE OF ASIA’S LARGEST ULTRA-LUXURY INTEGRATED RESORTS.

- ANASTASIA PRIKHODKO

Passion is what influenced Ivaylo Ivanov to enter hospitality. However, it is his genuine love of people that is behind his ongoing drive for success. Having been part of the sector for more than 20 years, Ivaylo has spent much of that time achieving his personal goal: experiencing all aspects of the industry.

A traveller at heart, his portfolio includes city hotels, cruise lines and destination resorts across Europe, the US, the Caribbean and Asia. Since 2016, Ivaylo, now Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, has been part of the planning, hiring, and the unveiling of the largest integrated resort in Asia, Okada Manila.

When the opportunity arose to be part of the pre-opening team and build a prestigious brand from scratch, Ivaylo grabbed it. It’s a decision that has led him on his most significant career adventure yet – full of new trials and rewards. “Developing the hotel from nothing was the greatest challenge,” Ivaylo says. “It has also been the most fulfilling experience of my entire career.”

The brand doesn’t have properties elsewhere, which mitigated the risk of preconceived notions of what the resort would be like or what it would offer. “Okada Manila presented the greatest opportunity to build a brand from ground zero,” he adds. “We had a chance to establish all our operating procedures and guest experiences based on Forbes Travel Guide Service standards.”