Midweek interview with Myconian Collection’s Vangelis Daktylides

This week, we begged the general manager of Myconian Ambassador Relais & Chateaux Hotel for a comp stay… oh, and asked him a few questions too.

The challenge for the industry is…

It’s an ever-changing landscape, which continues to transform and present new challenges – but it’s also part of what makes our work so fulfilling.

The things I like about my job are…

Meeting new people every day! No matter how many years go by, my fascination with the personal and social element of working in hospitality does not fade.

And the frustrations are …

Having to swiftly switch between different codes of communication, based on the different types of people I deal with daily, in order to get things done.

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

A fisherman, still on the island of Mykonos, of course. I would take my caïque (a traditional fishing boat), out early each morning and catch fresh fish in the waters of the Aegean.

My favourite airline is…

I really value Qatar Airways because they are a contemporary company and never stop evolving and improving. They are not afraid to try new things, and that has made them pioneers. I also appreciate Aegean Airlines and their vision of creating a top quality local Greek carrier that will honour both the passenger and the country.

My proudest moment was…

The moment I became a father.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was…

Prefer not to answer this one!

I try to relax by…

Swimming. For me, swimming is therapeutic. My family and I live on Mykonos year-round, and I always start my day with a swim in the sea.

The last time I feared for my life was…

Luckily, I haven’t found myself in a position that has made me fear for my life.

If I can, I always try to avoid…

Travelling alone. Even when I travel for business, I always try to bring my wife along to squeeze in some quality time, in addition to my work duties.

I really wish I had…

More time during the day. It never seems like the hours in one day are enough for me to finish everything that I want to do!

The best advice I’ve ever received was…

“Nothing operates as well as it does when you are on top of things,” which is advice from my father. Both the big picture and the awareness of every detail are important.

I don’t understand why people…

Lie. It has always puzzled me. I prefer hearing the hard truths to hearing lies – at least they represent reality.

My greatest weakness is…

Being honest and straightforward. This can also be seen as my greatest strength, but it’s a weakness too. I was never “diplomatic” in that sense; it was never my way of getting things done.

And my greatest strength is…

The life lessons, knowledge and support I have received and continue to receive from my family – my father, Georgios, my three brothers and my mother.

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

Invest it back into the Myconian Collection. We would aim even higher, and make our wildest ambitions come true.

If I was prime minister, I would…

Listen to everyday people and do all I can to help improve their quality of life. I would also use my position to support the hospitality and tourism industries and achieve further goals.

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

While there are many people I admire around the world, my biggest idol and inspiration remains my father, George Daktylides, the founder of the Myconian Collection.

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

I would like to visit a corner of the earth that has the potential and capacity to surprise, captivate and move me the way my place of origin, Mykonos, does.

My favourite holiday was…

Managing to squeeze in time to travel to the neighbouring Greek islands of the Cyclades or further afield with my family has always been my favourite type of holiday.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

General Manager of Myconian Ambassador Relais & Chateaux Hotel midweek interview Vangelis Daktylides