Silkari 'Reflections’ new manager to continue service excellence legacy set by Carmel Angelino

GROWTH PLANS

David Gardiner

Journalist

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New Silkari Reflections managing director Marcus Sigmann and Site Manager Crystal Deas with previous owner, Carmel Angelino. Picture: Submitted

Silkari Reflections of Port Douglas’ new managing director is keen to tap into new tourism markets such as growing numbers of European travellers, as well as try new strategies to bring both domestic and international tourists to the region.

Marcus Sigmann, who started recently, said that Carmel Angelino, the outgoing and well-known previous manager ran Reflections for more than 20 years as more or less “an institution” in Port Douglas, with a high level of professionalism and customer service – which he said came with a certain amount of pressure to keep the hotel’s high standard going.

“We certainly have plans in the medium to long term to increase business, especially in the off-season, because we (Silkari) have a bigger marketing reach through our affiliation with various agencies,” Mr Sigmann said.

Higher occupancy rates are a goal, in a time when post-COVID tourism is still on the recovery in Douglas, and across Australia generally.

With that will come some work on the hotel itself.

“Once the income is there and the demand is there, that we then look and then maybe do some minor touch-ups and refurbishment, together with the owners of Reflections.”

Wet season attractions

One of the key strategies Reflections has is, to bring its guests to Douglas and the Daintree during what the tourism industry calls the ‘off-season’ but locals all know as the ‘wet season’.

“I think it’s the best time of the year to visit the rainforest – when it’s actually raining,” Mr Sigmann said. “Then you get the full experience of the rainforest.”

He said, “I think it’s a little bit of education we have to go through with, let’s call them the ‘southerners’ (laughs), to say ‘look, Port Douglas is not only great between March and October, but it’s even better in different weather between October and March.’

“Yes, it’s hot and humid but look, you have the world’s oldest rainforest, you have the Reef right next door, enjoy and get to know the area when it’s the rainy season.”

Staff accommodation a plus

One of the ongoing modern challenges of running a resort or hotel in the region – or anywhere else in the country for that matter is not only finding adequate numbers of experienced and skilled staff, but also for somewhere for them to live.

Silkari Reflections of Port Douglas also runs other four and four-and-a-half star hotels in the area.

“I think to a certain degree we are lucky in that regard because we also manage the Silkari Lagoons in Port Douglas, and we have a good amount of permanent units that are for permanent rental. We’re at a bit of advantage there, that when people come and look for accommodation and for work, we can give them both, and at a reasonable cost as well.

“You know yourself; Port Douglas has lost a lot of those medium-priced properties to Airbnb and such as, and it’s just not affordable anymore for a lot of locals to live locally.”

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