Midweek Interview: Adam Taloni, GM, Ovolo Woolloomooloo

Midweek Interview: Adam Taloni, GM, Ovolo Woolloomooloo

We chat with Adam Taloni, General Manager of Ovolo Woolloomooloo.

The challenge for the industry is…

Rate growth. In many or most key markets in Australia hotels are too quick to drop rates at any slight downturn in business. In many other key cities internationally this does not happen, allowing a better product offering, better service, better profitability and better expectations on their markets … sorry, Rate is a passion of mine!

The things I like about my job…

My ‘out of the box’ company and brand, my ‘out of the box’ colleagues and team; the fact that my ‘out of the box’ methods are not only accepted, but encouraged. Recently, our amazing team launched our brand new waterfont event space with an adult wonderland themed party, Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loopmas made an appearance along with a casino table and few extra secrets for the guests on the night.  Not many jobs will allow you to take your wildest idea and run with it!

And the frustrations are …

There are not enough hours in the day. But in hospitality there never are!

If I didn’t work in travel I would be…

A famous international actor

Favourite airline?

Qantas. Staff travel for 7 years is not forgotten J

My proudest moment was…

Reaching number ONE on TripAdvisor in Australia at a property I opened was truly amazing, as well as being involved in the $20 million renovations of Sydney’s most exciting new waterfront hotel property – which now has us at number TWO on TripAdvisor in Sydney!

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

I think I would be fired if I told you … then again, Ovolo are very open-minded!

I try to relax by…

Chilling with my new puppy Hugo (a Groodle)

The last time I feared for my life was…

The day after my last birthday. I kept saying “I think I’m dying”…

If I can, I always try to avoid…

Negative people

I really wish I had…

More time for holidays!

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

“You will never be a General Manager Adam, you are too nice!”

I don’t understand why people…

Cannot have more common sense

My greatest weakness is…

Carbs

And my greatest strength is…

Discipline

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would…

Have a party to end all parties with 300 of my best friends

If I was prime minister I would…

Be doing a lot better job than the last few!

If I could be someone else for one day I would be a…

Rockstar (that could actually sing)

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

The moon

My favourite holiday was…

A month long tented camping safari in Southern Africa when I was 22. Had the time of my life and made friends I am still close with. Though, I could never camp again after working and staying in some amazing 5 star hotels.

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