By V. Sivaji
Having been in the hospitality industry for more than three decades, seasoned hotelier FC Chong wanted to take up new challenges.
The opportunity came about when his good friend and a long-time client seeked his advice to set up his hotel in Indonesia.
“The assistance he asked was basically to negotiate the hotel management agreement with an international chain hotel there.
“Then, Tan Sri Ramesh who is the chairman of the Light Hotel group engaged me as their consultant for the Light Hotel project; the rest is history,” said Chong of his venture into his own business in the hospitality industry.
Chong’s resume is backed with wide experience while working with numerous well known hotel brands in various capacities like the Holiday Inn Penang, Golden Sands Penang, Shangri la Kuala Lumpur, Shangri la Penang, Crown Prince Penang, Holiday Inn Penang, Avillion Village Resort Port Dickson, Northam all Suite Penang and finally at the Gurney Resort & Residences Penang.
Among the positions he has held were as the housekeeper, chef, director of food and beverage, executive assistant manager, general manager and group general manager.
The myriad of exposure in various departments serves him well now.
Currently, he has several projects on-going in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and also Perth, Australia which is on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Most of my clients are developers who are setting up their own hotel as we offer services in the realm of Hospitality Consultancy, Hotel agreement negotiation, Technical support, Food and beverage concept, Kitchen design and development, Pre-opening planning, Procurement services and finally Hotel management.
“Among the major international brands that we have worked with are the Hilton group, Marriott, Banyan Tree, InterContinental, Ascott, Sunway group, St Giles, Parkroyal, Citizen M and the Evergreen group.
“In Penang itself, presently our projects are at the Lone Pine (Tribute by Marriott), Gurney by Ascott, Sky Residence by Ascott and the Holiday Inn and Suite, ” added Chong.
In keeping with his motto of “man with many hats” FC Chong has also ventured into other businesses, namely, training, interior design, education, food and beverage and assisting children with special needs.
Each of these ventures have it’s own team of dynamic personnel to handle daily operations.
In the meantime, he is also ever willing to “lend his ears” to those in need of his services and to just seek his advice in the hospitality industry.
