Interview for The Western Connect Magazine with Aminath Salah, CEO of Voyages Maldives. She is a trailblazer for Maldivian women. Breaking through gender stereotypes at a young age, she has achieved great success in an industry dominated by men. As the CEO of Voyages Maldives Pvt Ltd, she is leading the company to even greater heights. Corporate Maldives had the pleasure of chatting with her, where she shared insights on the company’s success and challenges and her journey.
Can you tell us how Voyages Maldives came about and how you got involved?
The idea of Voyages Maldives was generated when two of our directors, Salah Shihab and Mohamed Shafeeg, studied together in Australia in the 70s. Upon their return, they started Voyages Maldives with some like-minded family and friends. The company officially came into existence in the early 80s.
I got involved in the business very early in my life, as my father is one of the founders and MD of Voyages. I worked as an intern at the company during my school holidays since I was 16, working in all the departments of both Voyages and its sister company, Seagull Group. After finishing my degree, I joined Voyages as a Marketing Executive, then left to do my Masters and eventually returned to the company as the Marketing Manager. Now, I am the CEO of Voyages Maldives.
What are the biggest challenges you face in running the company?
We always face several challenges at any given time, but the one that has been a consistent thorn in our side is finding qualified personnel. For example, in our boat captains’ area, we were blessed to have some outstanding talent with us for a long time, but it has become increasingly more work since we need to develop and build a younger leadership. We are not just looking for someone with the required license but someone with experience, knowledge, and the kind of person ready to adopt the “Voyages culture.”
As our core business is service, we depend heavily on our team. We are working continuously to find the right team members and work on various tactics to improve their skills and help them grow.
We have learned over the years that what works best is if we work on bringing out the best in our staff by matching them to their natural abilities and skillset and then providing them with training and a pleasant and healthy environment. Voyages have a highly experienced team of HODs who have matured within the company, instilled the “Voyages culture,” and who pass it on to their teams.
Another challenge is the global slowdown, which is something that all businesses are currently facing. At times like this, it is not about making the most but working with our partners to retain our business comfortably.
What do you consider your most significant achievement?
Our most important achievement is the steady growth we have experienced over the years in such a challenging and fluctuating market. We have to be present and be there for our partners and customers 24/7, and we have done this for the past 36 years. Along with this, we have retained all of our significant partners since the inception of our company and have managed this while creating bonds with new partners throughout the years is a massive achievement for us.
We were finally holding on to our reputation for the past 36 years as a trusted, business-worthy company. This is not something that happened overnight but is the result of consistent work by many staff over many years.
What suggestion would you give a young person trying to achieve success in her field?
My advice to any young person trying to succeed in any field would be to have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and to pursue it with passion and dedication. It is also essential to never stop learning and to improve oneself constantly. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but do so after careful consideration and planning. Lastly, surround yourself with positive, supportive people who can encourage and guide you.
Hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude can go a long way in any field. It’sHaving a solid sense of ethics and maintaining integrity in everything you do is also essential. This builds trust and credibility, which are critical qualities in any business.
I advise young people to be open to new experiences and embrace diversity in the tourism industry. The Maldives is a melting pot of cultures, and it’s essential to understand and respect our guests’ different backgrounds and perspectives. Learning a new language and having a global mindset can also be valuable assets in this industry.
Success comes from hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and adapt. It’s essential to set goals and have a clear plan to achieve them, but also to be flexible and open to new opportunities that may arise along the way.
In conclusion, success can mean different things to different people, and achieving it requires hard work, determination, and resilience. However, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success, as every person’s journey is unique. By setting clear goals, learning from failures, seeking guidance from mentors, and staying focused on their vision, young people can increase their chances of success. It’s important to remember that success is not only about personal accomplishments but also about contributing to society meaningfully. With the right mindset and attitude, anyone can achieve their dreams and positively impact the world.