Fiona Hagan was originally from Ballina, New South Wales (Photo: Shangri-La Rasa Ria)
Options: You’ve worked in Asia for over 20 years now. How do you feel the landscape has changed for women in the hospitality industry?
Fiona Hagan: I feel everything is possible now for women in the hospitality industry. When I started, I dreamed of living and working overseas as an expatriate, though this was challenging as a female. Today, there are more opportunities for women and the potential to grow and learn is equal for everyone.
What advice would you give young women who dream of a successful career in hospitality?
Put up your hands, volunteer to help others and be open to new things! I encourage people to also be curious, ask questions and listen well. Education is important as it teaches you critical thinking, but it is also important to understand the basics, such as housekeeping, restaurants and recreation, which are the foundation of our business. Working in hospitality means being the host. I would also encourage women to get on a plane and travel. There is much to gain and learn from meeting people and growing your network. Always seize the chance to try new things and be open to opportunities.
You are originally from Ballina, New South Wales. Tell us about your growing-up days and the factors that made you decide on an international career in hotels?
I always knew I wanted to work overseas. When I was young, my family owned a business that sold records, books and sporting goods. I loved making recommendations on books, gifts and music, and talking to the tourists who came during the holidays. I have always been inquisitive about people, their stories and where they come from. I had the opportunity to travel at a young age to the US, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. I believe this was the catalyst for my taste in good hotels and I could see the opportunity to combine my passion for travel, meeting people and experiencing new cultures with work.
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Tell us also about the new Rasa Ria Reserve, which we hear will greatly boost local community tourism.
Located in the Tuaran district of Sabah, Malaysia, Rasa Ria Reserve is 64 acres of tropical jungle that sits between two rivers and the South China Sea. With unobstructed views of Mount Kinabalu, this reserve, home to numerous species of birds, butterflies, stingless bees and more, acts as a gateway to the lush natural landscapes of Borneo for guests. It also allows them to personally encounter and experience nocturnal wildlife — things you only read about in books, watch on TV or see on YouTube but never in real life! We have fully trained rangers to share their knowledge of flora and fauna at the Discovery Centre when guests sign up for our activities. We also work with the local community to produce drawstring bags for merchandise and conduct activities such as regular beach clean-ups, which we encourage guests to sign up for. I believe Rasa Ria Reserve will put Tuaran on the global map as a “must visit” in Borneo.
What’s a typical weekend like for you?
I wake up while it’s still dark and go for a walk at Tanjung Lipat where I catch the sunrise — my favourite time of day. Then a leisurely breakfast with my husband, usually something local or Indian, before deciding what we will eat for dinner — a most Malaysian preoccupation. We also like exploring the town in search of new kopitiams or the best coffee and cake, squeezing in some reading or sun and pool time, as well as a sunset cocktail on our balcony. Sunday would be an exact repeat of Saturday.
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We also heard you are a banana leaf rice connoisseur. Where would you send us to eat in Sabah?
Sri Latha’s or Aachi Curry House is my favourite weekend meal. Also try Bijan Borneo, a new local restaurant in Tamparuli on the river and close to Rasa Ria, which has a fantastic setting with excellent Malay food and even the possibility of enjoying a pre- or post-meal foot massage; Restoran Jeti in Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu, is our favourite seafood restaurant; and anything along Lorong Dewan, which is lined with all manner of cafes and restaurants.
What would be your top recommendations for a first-time visitor to Sabah?
Experience and enjoy a Borneo sunrise from Rasa Ria Reserve; book a snorkelling or diving trip at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Park, which is a mere 10 minutes from the city; visit a local tamu (market) — Tamparuli (Wednesday), Donggongon (Thursday and Friday) and Tuaran (Sunday) — to be dazzled by the food, fresh produce and local crafts; hike at Bukit Botak or Kokol Hill; and visit Sandakan for the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre — a must-see — before tucking into a seafood feast. If time permits, travel to Kinabatangan and stay overnight to enjoy riverine life.
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What are you reading right now?
I always read two books at once — one fiction and one non-fiction. At Shangri-La Rasa Ria, we have a “library” where guests may exchange books or leave them behind for others. I am a major contributor and love finding unexpected reads. Two pleasant surprises were Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and The Rosie Project, a fabulous novel by Australian author Graeme Simsion. The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates is a great find on women’s empowerment, a subject I am interested in and educating myself on.
What are you listening to right now?
Podcasts — on my morning walks — by Adam Grant, Brené Brown, Dax Shepard and The Happiness Lab with Dr Lauren Parker. I also love anything that makes me want to get up and dance!
This article first appeared on Mar 6, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
