Phillip Gwatidzo appointed new Assistant GM at the Whale Coast Hotel!

“I believe the best way to do the best for yourself, is by doing the best for others, because that way, they will do the best for you.”

This is the motto that Phillip Gwatidzo, a three year management trainee at The International Hotel School in Cape Town, lives by.

Phillip, originally from Zimbabwe, was recently appointed as the new Assistant GM of the Whale Coast Hotel in Hermanus.

Working amongst one of the best

The Hermanus Whale Coast Hotel is a 4 star property with 14 apartments, (37 elegantly styled self-catering rooms) in the heart of Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa.

Phillip’s love for the hospitality industry started when he worked at The Cresta Hospitality group after High School, where his uncle was senior general manager. He was so inspired by the industry that he chose to pursue it as a career and sent off applications to various hotel schools with IHS being the first to respond.

Phillip enrolled at The International Hotel School Cape Town campus in 2010 where he was placed at the flagship hotel in Western Cape, “Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa” to do in-service training.

In October last year, Phillip received a 2 month training opportunity with Deniz Saray Events in Bremen-Germany where he was able to gain a European insight into the hospitality industry and on his return to South Africa, Phillip joined the Hermanus Whale Coast Hotel, where he assisted with Marketing and Hotel Operations and where he was recently appointed as Assistant GM.

For me, every time I put a smile on a client’s face, is a priceless moment for me, I guess my reason for being in the industry is because I thrive on making other people happy, it makes me feel good, and gives me the drive to keep on going,” he says.

Where does he see himself in 5 years’ time?

If you had asked me three weeks ago, I would have said “as a Deputy General Manager of a 4 star Seaside Hotel” but now that I’m already there I guess I have to relook my goals,” he comments.