Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, welcomes their new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Tan who brings with him more than 40 years of hospitality experience in Asia. Gerard Tan, originally from Singapore, is a versatile and seasoned hotelier with vast experience in Singapore and Thailand. He has a solid understanding of the Thai and Malay culture. He started his career within the F&B department in Singapore and progressively rose to the position of General Manager of a few luxury hotels in Thailand.
This includes The Racha where under his leadership, achieved many awards such as the “Top 10 Best Beach Resorts in the World” by Tablet Hotels in 2008, “Top 100 Best Hotel by Conde Nast, 2009, and the “Top 10 Best Beach Resorts in South East Asia” by Asia Tatler Magazine in 2012. He was also the first foreigner to receive the Best Management and Employee Relationship Award from the Thai Ministry of Labour back in 1996.
“In every job, it is very important to base it on your inner personality, your strength – and your strength is always your values – your integrity, honesty, sincerity and willingness to listen and motivate. Through this strength, you will gain respect and through respect is how you will get things done.” “If your staff doesn’t respect you, you can be the most intelligent General Manager or CEO and never get anything done. I think that is the nature of the beast. That is what I was taught by my parents at a very young age,” exclaims Gerard with confident enthusiasm.

This is Gerard’s first posting to Sabah, and he has already fallen in love with Kota Kinabalu; a beautiful city that has its own unique charm. He is amazed that Sabah has 32 indigenous ethnic groups with their own unique cultural and traditional heritage. “Sabah is incredible as it has something for everyone; from local residents, Malaysians to foreigners.” Its diversity is tremendous, from its people to its rich flora and fauna, and this makes Sabah a unique and delightful place to visit.”

His goals for Sutera Harbour Resort is to ensure a vibrant, economically successful and liveable resort by articulating a set of two most unique attributes that will mould the future of this resort; to be the preferred getaway resort for leading businesses from around the world with happy associates that lives in harmony and prosperity regardless of race, language or religion while delivering service excellence consistently. He aims to enhance the resort’s position as a premier eco-adventure resort, as well as a second home destination with lifestyle activities. “I am thrilled to be a part of the team and look forward to share my experience as we continue to build up Sutera Harbour Resort as one of the leading hospitality, leisure and lifestyle group in Asia, Europe and Middle East.” Says Gerard.

Prior to joining Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Mr Gerard was the General Manager of the Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket. Gerard graduated from the American Hotel & Motel Association and is a Certified Hotel Administrator. Gerard will oversee the Group’s business development and growth as well as to foster stronger partnerships with the hotel owner.