Behind the scenes

Stephen R. Covey, renowned businessman and author of the highly popular Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, offers an insight into Crowne Plaza Resorts’ belief in its human resources—“Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.”

Behind the success of this globally recognized brand, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan has always given credit to the men and women who have devoted their time to ensure the resort lives up to the standards of exceptional customer service the Crowne Plaza brand is known for.

To stand out in the highly competitive business of establishing its reputation as one of the choice destinations of discriminating global travelers, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan has invested in continuously improving its team’s capabilities and competencies, allowing them to provide guests with the ultimate guest experience through exceptional customer service. In return, these team members acknowledge the role Crown Plaza Resort Saipan plays in both their personal and professional lives.

Marla Mettao, PBX operator, Front Office

For 26-year-old Mettao, being a part of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan team has both been a positive and uplifting experience.

“My work requires me to speak to guests on the phone, and my experience working over the phone has translated into real-life situations. I get to talk to a diverse group of individuals from all over the world. It has helped me gain confidence when interacting with people face-to-face as well,” Mettao said.

Mettao, who joined the team early this year, sees her employment at Crowne Plaza as a good stepping stone toward establishing a career in the hospitality industry. “[At Crowne Plaza] I can work on my people skills while showcasing the company’s values and its corporate culture.”

Mariel Panaligan, supervisor, Food & Beverage

Mariel Panaligan’s employment as a member of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan’s Food & Beverage team has helped her grow both in her personal and professional life. Being part of the resort’s team has opened doors of opportunities for Panaligan that have enriched her career and, most especially, her immediate family’s financial stability.

“I am very honored and thankful because Crowne Plaza Resort gave me a chance to grow my career as a hotel professional. It is rewarding to be part of a global brand and my training and exposure at the resort has helped me to go beyond my comfort zone.

“It [my employment] has had a huge impact on my life, especially on my family, since I am the breadwinner. I was able to buy a house in the Philippines and I can consistently help them financially,” said Panaligan.

Panaligan follows in the footsteps of her sister who also works under IHG in the Philippines as team manager for Luxury, Sales & Service.

“I heard a lot of good things about the company, especially the good pay and benefits their team members get,” Panaligan said. She chose to join Crowne Plaza because “it is a company that takes good care of its employees. It lives up to its purpose of providing true hospitality for good.”

Zenn Tomokane, executive sous chef

Joining the Crowne Plaza team has been a wish fulfilled for this Saipan-born chef. Zenn Tomokane first joined the resort as one of the members of its pre-opening team, eventually staying to become a part of the resort’s opening team.

“It is a very rewarding experience to work for IHG, especially at this time when it is carving its niche in the region. This makes me a pioneer of its future success in Micronesia. I look forward to being a part of IHG’s success in this region.

“One of the items on my bucket list as a hospitality professional is to work for an opening team and to try my hand at being affiliated with an international brand. I was able to realize these dreams without leaving my home island. Not many can say that they have done this while still being home at the same time. I consider myself fortunate for how this opportunity panned out the way it did. It was a lot of sacrifices, but this has prepared me for my next professional undertaking,” said Tomokane.

Tomokane, 40, describes his work at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan as an “everyday celebration on a global scale. “Working for a global brand is a very rewarding experience. Working for IHG at this time as it establishes itself in the region’s tourism industry makes me a pioneer of the success they will have in the future here in Micronesia. I look forward to helping IHG in its quest to make its global presence here on the islands.”

[Crowne Plaza] is a company that takes good care of its employees. It lives up to its purpose of providing true hospitality for good.