Meet Zakwan Ahmed – Assistant Director of Sales & Contracting at THE OZEN COLLECTION
Monday 12th of June 2023
Zakwan Ahmed initiated his hospitality career in the tourism industry as a waiter before his ambitions pushed him towards transitioning into the sales field. After a career switch, he landed his first stint as a Sales Coordinator in 2017, a role he served with utmost perseverance and dedication which ultimately led him to secure the position of Assistant Sales Manager.
Following his successful tenure there, Zakwan made a bold move to join The OZEN COLLECTION in 2020 when the brand was incepted in the Maldives with two resort properties: OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. During his time at the company, Zakwan has continued to progress and advance his roles and is currently posing as the Assistant Director for Sales & Contracting of the successful brand.
As Assistant Director for Sales & Contracting, Zakwan is charged with several responsibilities including overseeing sales operations, managing relationships with prominent partners and travel agencies, negotiating contracts as well as collaborating with various teams to ensure successful sales outcomes. He also supervises the sales team and develops sales strategies in line with the brand’s sales targets and is frequently asked to represent the brand at industry events, trade shows and sales missions.
With the right attitude and dedication, Zakwan believes that internal opportunities can help shape a career, having navigated his hospitality journey in a similar route. In his ethos, passion and love for the field are quintessential to leading a successful sales career and are tools that can accelerate career growth even further. According to Zakwan, commitment combined with an extensive skillset such as effective communication, resilience, product knowledge, adaptability and a growth mindset is what forms the foundation of success in the sales industry.
Currently, posted at THE OZEN COLLECTION, Zakwan shares the brand’s uniqueness which is renowned for its personalized attention to detail and harmonious indulgence. He notes that the resort’s exclusive holiday plans encompass everything guests look forward to during a memorable holiday including spa treatments, water sports, cultural experiences, excursions and more, which caters to a wide range of guest preferences. In addition to this, the stunning locales of the resorts with their pristine beaches, crystalline waters and thriving coral life is what eventually makes the OZEN properties stand out compared to other resorts.
Working in sales has enabled Zakwan to undergo exceptional personal and professional growth and opened many opportunities to explore the world through work. His first business trip was to OTM Mumbai and ITB Berlin in 2019 and he has since then represented THE OZEN COLLECTION at a number of sales events including Loop events in Tirol, Hungary, UNIQUE in Neuschwanstein, SOUL Berlin, ILTM Cannes, and a 3-week Europe Roadshow. Zakwan believes that connecting with partners in their home base makes it easier to understand the nuances of the market while allowing him to immerse himself in an all-new culture.
For aspiring sales professionals, Zakwan advises that the hospitality industry is no smooth journey but a very worthwhile profession in the end. Although stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be daunting at times, he shares that looking back after a year will allow you to see what kind of person you have become over the past year and be proud of yourself. “I would just say don’t give up, work hard and the final result will be very sweet” enthused Zakwan who could be no happier with the dream path he has taken.