Midweek Interview with Mark Wilkinson, GM of the Sofitel Noosa

Midweek Interview with Mark Wilkinson, GM of the Sofitel Noosa

The challenge for the industry is… Finding the right balance between the digital era and good old customer service.

The things I like about my job… Seeing employees develop and grow their career And the frustrations are … We all live busy lives so I would say “time” finding more time to spend with guests and employees.

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

Favourite airline? This is tough but my wife and 3 daughters travelled to Singapore not long ago and they couldn’t stop raving about the service on Singapore Airlines and they travel a lot so Singapore Airlines

My proudest moment was… Can I say “proudest moments” would be my 3 daughters and the way they approach diversity on all levels.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was… I was around 17 and it was a Friday night and my friends wanted to go for a drink just at the local park, now they were both 18 and had stopped at the bottle shop and I didn’t want to go empty handed so I stole a bottle of “Claytons” from my dad’s bar not knowing that it was non-alcoholic let’s say I still get comments about it……….

I try to relax by… Going to the beach.

The last time I feared for my life was… Around two years ago I was told I had Prostate Cancer, I am all good now but it is about getting diagnosed early so if you are reading this and over 45 please go and get tested!!!!

If I can, I always try to avoid… A shopping mall with my wife and 3 daughters.

I really wish I had… An Asian restaurant, I just love Asian food at the moment so I could dine in it everyday.

The best advice I’ve ever received was… Walk in the footstep of your guest and serve them how you would like to be served.

I don’t understand why people… Text while driving.

My greatest weakness is… A good red wine.

And my greatest strength is… Not everybody would agree with this but my “being patient”.

If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling), I would… Right now my eldest daughter wants to open an orphanage with a strong focus around education of young children.

If I was prime minister I would… Reduce the deficit spend within our means.

If I could be someone else for one day I would be… A child again care free and willing to try anything.

I’ve always wanted to travel to… One of my daughters is in Alaska at the moment and said it is amazing, so Alaska.

My favourite holiday was… Fiji after my cancer surgery it was just a nice time to spend with family and relax.

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