As the esteemed General Manager of OPERO Hotel Southkey, Mr. Yazid Mustaffa brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry. His remarkable career has been punctuated with numerous industry accolades, showcasing his dedication to excellence and innovation in hospitality management. With a proven track record of successfully managing high-profile hospitality projects, Mr. Yazid’s leadership is a cornerstone of OPERO Hotel Southkey’s commitment to delivering impeccable service standards. In this exclusive interview, we delve into Mr. Yazid’s background, leadership style, and his vision for OPERO Hotel Southkey.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Can you tell us about your journey in the hospitality industry and how it has shaped your career?

Yazid Mustaffa: When I started my journey in this Industry about 40 years ago as a newbie in many aspects – new to hotel, new job, and new environment in the new industry. I didn’t know any better, all that was on my head was to earn a living and to pay for my college fees. It took me 2 years to get familiar with the challenges in life full of hardship, trials, tribulations and struggles. These became my daily routine when I was working as a bus boy behind the bar in the night after my college classes during the day. I was in dire need of financial redemption and pressure was so overwhelming back then. Along the way I found that the industry was growing rapidly especially in our beautiful country with many different races, religions, cultures, social and education background and many more in this unique country called Malaysia. I began to love it and made it clear in my mind that this is my chosen field in shaping my career pathway.

I poured out my heart into everything I do, loving what I do, learning as much as I could, practice as much as I can to become a better employee. One thing I held fast on till today – honor my craft with whatever gift, talent, skills knowledge and ability into everything I do.

It wasn’t that long till my efforts were rewarded by my employers. While I put in passion and dedication, I also doubled the amount of learning in shaping myself to what I am today. Indeed, I feel so enriched not only of what I have accomplished but what I have gained all these years. A treasure that cannot be quantified neither be reciprocated monetarily. The journey in my career were beautifully encapsulated the true essence of love as a journey rather that the destination.

LLA: What inspired you to pursue a career in hospitality management, and what motivates you in your role as General Manager?

YM: True passion in this industry is rare and comes from deep within. I would say that, “Hospitality is not a job, it’s a way of life”. Being a General Manager is not only to manage or measure the company profitably, but you must also navigate the entire organisation to the ultimate goal in building a solid foundation of success in management and the entire team.

LLA: How would you describe your leadership style, and what principles guide your approach to managing a luxury hotel like OPERO Hotel Southkey?

YM: The key leaderships styles and principles are mainly to inspire and motivate the entire team to greater success. The key management principle of focusing on collaboration between management and employees, hoping for greater diversity in creating solutions, with more voices are better and more sustainable.

LLA: Having been recognized as the Best Luxury Business Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, by the esteemed Luxury Lifestyle Awards, OPERO Hotel Southkey undoubtedly sets the bar high. Could you elaborate on the strategies you implement to not only maintain but also exceed these exceptional standards?

YM: This is definitely an added value for us in positioning ourselves into the market, globally and domestically. The key strategies are maintaining the standard and not compromising into quality. We strongly believe in delivering finest quality instead of quantity.

LLA: What sets OPERO Hotel Southkey apart from other luxury business hotels in Johor Bahru, and how do you ensure that the hotel remains competitive in the market?

YM: One thing for sure we have set a very clear direction on our vision and mission of the company as well as in achieving the core values of the organisation. Our staff are our greatest strengths, guests are our highest priority, partnerships are our future, innovation and technology are our competitive edge and performance is the key winning to the success.

LLA: In your opinion, what are the key factors that contribute to a memorable guest experience, and how do you and your team strive to create these experiences at OPERO Hotel Southkey?

YM: Our staff are the greatest assets where the training and development will be the main focus in years to come. Rewards and loyalty are the key results in sustaining the work force. Personalised services, creating a unique atmosphere & experience, encouraging feedback and referrals, going the extra mile, maintaining reputation are our primary objectives.

LLA: Can you share any notable challenges you’ve faced in your role as General Manager, and how you’ve overcome them to drive success for the hotel?

YM: Sustaining the turnover ratio on the staff turnover will be something a big challenge in this rapid growing industry. The challenge is becoming a global industry issue in the coming future.

LLA: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and vision for the future of OPERO Hotel Southkey, and how do you plan to continue elevating the hotel’s offerings and guest experience?

YM: As times goes by, I would love to see the brand growing and embarking to greater heights. OPERO Southkey Johor Bahru is going to be the flagship and represent the exclusive brand in the market. My dream is to witness the growth of our brand in building the image of OPERO and standing tall with the prestigious international brands in this competitive market.

As we conclude our insightful interview with Mr. Yazid Mustaffa, it becomes abundantly clear that his leadership is a driving force behind the hotel’s success. With a dedication to impeccable service standards and a commitment to innovation, Mr. Yazid’s vision for OPERO Hotel Southkey is one of continued excellence and growth. Through his leadership, the hotel is poised to remain a symbol of luxury hospitality in Johor Bahru, offering guests an unparalleled experience that exceeds expectations at every turn. To learn more about the OPERO Hotel Southkey, please visit: https://operohotel.com/