Young and determined

A good listener and leader, cordial yet lucid on the challenges of tourism, Saleem Ansari perfectly illustrates the views and qualities of a young, dynamic executive.

He comes across as a symbol of the young Indians who are taking India forward, with his masters degree in Economics and a Business degree from Ashridge Management School (UK). At 34, the area manager for Thomas Cook (Mauritius) Saleem Akhtar Ansari, has a sound knowledge of the global business environment and likes to lead his team through a shared vision of the future.

Saleem is most comfortable with people. ?I believe in people and relationships that are built on trust.? In his office, on the ground floor of Anglo Mauritius House, Port-Louis, his mantra is ?leadership at every level?. ?Quality is tributary to good listening. A good listener makes a good leader.?

Anchored in the business of tour operator, foreign exchange and airlines, through its representation of Lufthansa and Condor, his company will be an aggressive player in the market of tourism, foreign exchange and related services. ?Lack of competition kills both efficiency and innovation.? A fervent advocate of tourism as a key source of employment growth and development of the Mauritian economy, Saleem feels that Mauritius as a destination is expensive in terms of ?value for money vis-à-vis competing destinations?. With overall hotel occupancy rates of around 55% and flight load factors under 70% ?a more holistic approach needs to be adopted by the industry if we are to move forward?.

Saleem gives the example of India, which used to protect its national carrier. ?When we liberalised our air access policy, there was a literal boom, not only in flights but in tourism itself. Today Indians can fly regularly to Dubai with a return fare costing 6,000 Indian rupees only. Internal flights are even better value. Protectionism hurts the economy and people at the cost of the national carrier.?

? Mauritius has an enviable position as a high-end destination but this doesn?t mean that we say no to a charter tourist, who will spend spend an average of $600 per week. The days when Mauritius could afford to choose its visitors are over. It needs tourism and it needs it now.? And Saleem concludes that Mauritius needs great and inspring leadership to channel the collective energy of the nation towards long-term solutions. ?You have to be world-class in your chosen sector with real and sustainable competitve advantages. The tourism industry of Mauritius has great potential but we need to work smarter.?

Saleem speaks as someone familiar with his adopted country. Settled with his wife Yusra and baby girl Nuha since April, he is nevertheless far from being a newcomer to Mauritius. ?I came here first for holidays and discovered the island in 1995. Since then, I have come back regularly.? Saleem appreciates the soothing contrast the island makes with the frenetic urban life of Mumbai. His passion for cricket is a little in confined quarters but he plays for ?the India Business Council team? at the Gymkhana, Vacoas. He likes to relax by listening to ghazals, a form of classical music that he loves for its ?enlightening poetry.?

Saleem Ansari was attracted to tourism because of its ability to make a difference to the lowest segment of society in the developing world. ?Tourism generates maximum employment per $ invested. Its trickle-down effect is the fastest of all industries. Everybody benefits from it directly, from the handicraftsman to the driver, the porter and of course the large infastructure investors such as hotel owners.? And we Mauritians have an advantage in that field: our hospitality! ?New friends accepted us and made us feel comfortable as soon as we arrived. We were already feeling at home? within a few days of being here.?