By Stepping off the speed boat onto the wooden platform, out in the lagoon of Reethi Beach, you are greeted with a scene that can only be described as raw and natural with specks of azure and towering greenery. We were greeted by the smiling face of Nuha Nihad, who grew to redefine the definition of “guest services” during the length of our stay and demonstrated what humble confidence and a deep love for nature people looks like.
The Arrival team caught up with Ms Nihad near the watersports center where we chatted with her about her role as Guest Service Agent at Reethi Beach. With a deep connection to the island that has only grown within the three years she has worked there, she was quick to point out that it was the nature in combination with the vibe of the island that appealed to her most
“You have a lot of green in it, which is good for your eyes.You’re surrounded by the ocean, and I love the house-reef that we have”
She describes her regular days showing guests around the island, which begins by picking up guests and acquainting them with the activities, wellness treatments as well as outlets such as the dive center and sports complex that the island has to offer. She noted how her tours always highlight the resident turtles and sharks of the house reef and how all the dinings options are fresh and taste delicious because of that.
Ms. Nihad pointed out that the fact that Reethi Beach receives a large number of repeat guests means seeing the similar faces who remember you because of unforgettable memories here.
She pointed out keenly that being in this position of a local woman working in the service industry is a good opportunity where you can grow and meet varying personalities from different nationalities daily. In fact, she believes that she has gained some valuable assets since she began working at Reethi Beach.
“I’m more of an outgoing person now. I was an introvert, but now I’m an extrovert…. but everything made me the person I am today.So, that’s good”.
She highlights that the most important thing when dealing with challenges on the job is to listen to the concerns of guests calmy, fortified with empathy and good manners. Ms Nihad advises anyone wanting to join a similar job to approach it with an open mind.
“You’ll be handling different people from different places, and so acceptance…this is a guest, you’re giving them a service, and you’re welcoming them”
Her day begins with one of two shifts. She greets the day with a cup of coffee before the sun rises if it is the morning shift and handles the first departures of the day. “Basically, once you take the guests on the boat, it will be awake for the rest of the day”. Following some work calls after breakfast, noon brings in some of the busiest times on the job when domestic travels at Dharavandhoo Airport means more arrivals and departures and it’s “back and forth” until the shift ends at 4 pm.
“..and I’ll hang out with my colleagues, my team.My team was mostly kind of my second family here. So, we’ll make some things to eat, our lunch, and then maybe go for a swim, do karaoke, something fun and then I personally just like to stay in bed”
She says that although working in the industry was traditionally seen differently, her family back in capital city Male’ accepts this job and doesn’t differentiate working in a resort, to working in an office in Male’.
“Like, (If you are) working in ooredoo (telecommunications company), there are customers coming in all the time. Here also, we have customers coming in, but it’s guests. So, giving a service to them, same as giving it in a city and then in the resort, I don’t see a difference there”
Ms. Nihad was quick to highlight the support and mentorship under which her work continues. She noted that she believes it is different than working on most properties where everybody accepts you for who you are.
“My team, basically, we are always together. From morning to evening, after work, at work, we are together.. and our management, (to me) I see them as elders. So, I give them respect. They give the respect back”