With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Cristian Nanucci is steadfast in leading Pan Pacific establishments as the Complex General Manager in Kuala Lumpur. “You wonder why the word ‘complex’—because there are two hotels. You have the PARKROYAL COLLECTION and the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites,” Nanucci explains, as he takes on the role to stabilise businesses, work on the positioning of both hotels, and move forward into the future while the market slowly recovers and international tourism returns.
Despite the gradual recovery of tourism and hospitality, the restoration of businesses doesn’t get any less challenging. “Dealing with the different [drawbacks] like finding the man-power to recruit has been a challenge in the hospitality industry, not just in Malaysia but everywhere,” Nanucci says, explaining one of the many hurdles they’ve had to face. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem like an obstacle too big for Nanucci, as he surges forward with the success of not one but two remarkable hotels in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
How has your journey been since the opening of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur?
It’s been very exciting! We actually opened in June 2022, which was two months after the reopening of the borders. There haven’t been any more lockdowns since then so it’s been exciting because the market has responded very well to the new brand. The moment we opened PARKROYAL COLLECTION, we have started doing the countdown of the opening of the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites.
How does the hospitality business look different now than before the pandemic?
Many people said things were going to be different here and there. Of course, communications have likely changed. People can now do meetings online or scan QR codes, these kinds of things. But at the end of the day, hospitality remains a very conservative business. People pay, and they want a good room, good experience, good shower, good breakfast, and Wi-Fi is super important.
What has been pivotal to the success of your career in the hospitality industry?
The passion to do well each and every time. And the travel and the discoveries—it’s not a boring life. Every time you work in a new country, you get a new house, you meet new friends, you learn the local culture, and you’re proud of yourself after one or two years of what you’ve done.
What’s your favourite part about working in the hospitality business?
Meeting people, and everyday being a different day. It’s never the same. You have different people, different issues, the market economy changes, and so on. You’re like the mayor of a big city and there are a lot of components inside this big city.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
Maybe interior design. Especially during the opening of the hotels—sometimes you have to make a certain decision pretty quickly, how things look like, or what colour to pick. The skill will help a lot. Sometimes we all think we are interior designers because we try to use our sixth sense on what we think is good. If you have the skill, it will probably be much faster and easier.
What do you crave most at the end of a long day?
Being on my sofa watching movies. I like to watch movies I’ve probably already seen before, action or drama, because I don’t need to think much about what I watch. And if I fall asleep in the middle of the movie, at least I already know the ending.
Where is your favourite place to go for holiday?
I just came back from Australia a month ago. I really loved it. It’s my second time. Already planning to go a third time.
Luxury according to Cristian Nanucci
I really want to play golf one day without being disturbed on the phone or anything like that. To me, it’s a luxury.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Passionate. Reliable. And strong character.
What is the best advice you received that changed your life?
There’s one advice that I’m not going to say very precisely because I don’t want to offend anybody. When you work many years in a country, you get used to the lifestyle, the behaviour, and the way people live in that country. But when you move to another country, you will need to have the ability to learn how the culture and how the country works. Sometimes, you’ll tend to compare how, in your previous country, you did things a specific way. That impacts the way you behave a bit, and the way you work. So, the best advice I’ve gotten once was to stop being like that. I also tell some of my people to stop being like that. Living in your country is different than living in other countries. You can’t go in this country and think you’ll live the same way. That’s not how it works.
