Ravinder Dhesi, the general manager of JW Marriott Gold Coast and a Fijian national, recently celebrated 25 years of service with Marriott International. Dhesi, who began his hospitality career in the finance department at the ITT Sheraton Resort Denarau Fiji in 1999, has worked at various Marriott properties including locations in Noosa, Gold Coast, and Denarau, before returning to Gold Coast.
Reflecting on his career, Dhesi is proud of several notable achievements, such as overseeing the full renovation, rebranding, and launch of the first JW Marriott in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. His leadership earned him multiple accolades, including the title of Global JW Marriott Brand General Manager of the Year and Marriott International APEC Luxury General Manager of the Year in 2022.
Dhesi attributes his success to a strong work ethic, the guidance of mentors, and the unwavering support of family and friends. He emphasizes the importance of having role models, particularly in the Fijian tourism industry. He looks up to leaders like Radike Qereqeretabua and Tony Whitton, as well as André Viljoen and his team at Fiji Airways, drawing inspiration from their achievements.
He believes in having a personal vision and career plan that drives one toward success. According to Dhesi, qualities such as resilience, persistence, and a hunger for achievement have been key to his career growth. He cites a quote from Mr. Marriott, who said, “Success is never final,” and encourages continuous improvement in one’s pursuits.
Expressing gratitude for the support he has received from his family, Dhesi hopes his career journey serves as inspiration for fellow Fijians in the hospitality sector. He emphasizes the significance of the tourism industry in Fiji’s economy and advocates for combining excellent service with the country’s natural warmth to achieve the $1 billion growth target set by Tourism Fiji’s CEO, Brent Hill.