Singaporeans have achieved much academically, but a side effect of that is that they now think service sector jobs are beneath them, says the manager of a top international luxury hotel. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
SINGAPOREANS have achieved much academically, but a side effect of that is that they now think service sector jobs are beneath them, says the manager of a top international luxury hotel.
Mr Amadeo Zarzosa, general manager of the St Regis Hotel, said yesterday that with tourism being a key economic contributor, it was important to 'get back into a culture of service'.
'It's very important to continue to differentiate yourselves from other Asian countries and other parts of the world,' he said at a panel discussion, where he also cautioned against letting service standards drop, as has happened in parts of Europe and in North and South America.
'You have a beautiful country, beautiful hotels and it's key to really focus and educate our younger people to get back into the service industry and show them that there is a career there.'
Mr Zarzosa, 52, comes from Spain. He recalled his first visit to Singapore in 1978, saying it was fascinating for a Westerner to see the type of service, hotels and 'the service excellence, the care, the warmth you received when you went into a hotel'.
'Over the years it has been somewhat maintained,' he said. But he warned against letting services deteriorate.
