Mohamed Muruthala, Front Office Manager at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort | MV+ People

Mohamed Muruthala (Murray), currently the front office manager at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, began his career at Coco Palm Dhunikolhu as a billing clerk, gradually progressing through the industry. He later joined Anantara Veli and Anantara Dhigu, where he rose to the role of front office manager for both properties, overseeing their operations simultaneously.

“Fares was the pipeline to open, so I took this challenge (starting with) the pre-opening team. So I found it very challenging plus it was a very good experience for me. I believe that it is very important to open a property in this industry. From A-Z, you gain a tremendous amount of knowledge and foster connections. Taking a fresh team and developing it is a task I enjoy taking upon myself to accomplish.”

In the three years he has spent at Fares, Murray says he has faced and overcome numerous challenges. While the opening phase was demanding, he now sees the resort as an outstanding success. He credits this achievement largely to the strong bonds and meaningful connections he and his team build with guests.

From the outset, Murray aimed to assemble a balanced team for the property, ensuring equal representation of women and men. He notes that the number of women working in the hospitality industry remains low, which is why he prioritises gender balance and strives to create more opportunities for women to enter the field.