2014年7月,因為工作關(guān)系,范馬克來到重慶,擔(dān)任重慶艾美酒店總經(jīng)理一職。見到記者,范馬克一臉微笑,禮貌地伸出手,并用中文字正腔圓地說:“你好,很高興認識你!”
從事酒店行業(yè)運作30多年,范馬克時常因為工作調(diào)動在全世界奔走。來自加拿大的他先后工作于新西蘭、澳大利亞、巴哈馬和中國香港。七年前,他來到中國,分別在北京、天津、上海等地的五星外資酒店負責(zé)酒店運營管理工作。而重慶,是他在中國職業(yè)生涯新的一站,也是最讓他期待的一站。
“來重慶之前,我就聽在北京、上海的朋友說,這是一座具有真正中國特色的城市,他們都讓我去看看。這讓我充滿了好奇。”范馬克激動地說道。就像一部好電影要上映前的預(yù)告一樣,聽了太多關(guān)于重慶的描述,讓他對這座城市特別向往,也迫不及待地想要來到這里體驗重慶的生活。正因為這樣,剛來重慶的第一周,范馬克便去了磁器口,這讓他大開眼界:街道、巷道、宅院構(gòu)成了一個獨特的立體空間;古風(fēng)猶存的茶館、傳統(tǒng)的手工作坊,還有獨特的碼頭文化,在這里,他看到了古老重慶的縮影。“我喜歡重慶,也喜歡這里的人,樸實、友好。重慶是一座現(xiàn)代與傳統(tǒng)結(jié)合的城市,來到這里,感覺就像當(dāng)初我第一次來中國一樣。”范馬克告訴記者。
除了傳統(tǒng)的巴渝特色,范馬克對重慶的夜景印象深刻。夜晚坐輪船游兩江,感受江風(fēng)、燈火,猶如在星河中徜徉,重慶的獨特城市風(fēng)貌印入眼簾,“就像一幅畫一樣!”范馬克談到這里,似乎仍意猶未盡。工作之余,他還喜歡步行穿梭在這座城市中,有時也會坐在輕軌上更好地欣賞這座城市。“走累的時候我會在路邊吃一碗重慶小面。”看著我吃驚的眼神,他笑著說:“豆花面是我的最愛。”
在范馬克看來,重慶是一座忙碌而又休閑的城市,但城市規(guī)劃非常科學(xué),每個區(qū)都有獨立的商業(yè)、購物中心,在一定程度上分散了人群。因為來自地廣人稀的加拿大,第一次看到重慶的交通,范馬克不由吃了一驚。當(dāng)問到對重慶的感受時,他想了想,說:“重慶就像意大利面,整座城市的公路、立交橋像面條一樣四處蔓延,城市的發(fā)展速度令人驚嘆;而這里3D一樣的地貌,這里的風(fēng)土人情,就像面上的醬汁,原汁原味,富有地方特色,讓人回味無窮。”但同時,他也表示,重慶需要更多地宣傳自身,在加拿大,還是有很多人不了解,在中國的西部隱藏著這么大一座城市。他希望有更多的旅行社推介重慶。“重慶其實有許多值得推薦的地方可以展示給世界,如美食、溫泉等。”范馬克說。
雖然在重慶待的時間不長,范馬克已適應(yīng)在這里的工作和生活。作為一名酒店的外籍管理者,語言溝通和文化理解成為最重要的部分,多年的管理經(jīng)驗讓他和中國的員工非常融洽地相處。面對重慶的酒店行業(yè),范馬克也表示,隨著重慶的自我宣傳越來越多,重慶的旅游業(yè)也在不斷發(fā)展,不論對本土或者外資酒店來說,這都是一種機遇,同時也面臨著更大的競爭,更多的挑戰(zhàn),但也成為他在重慶工作的巨大動力。“在重慶的工作生活將成為我人生中一次難忘的經(jīng)歷,更重要的是,我希望能為重慶酒店行業(yè)的發(fā)展貢獻我的微薄之力。”范馬克這樣說道。
“Chongqing Has More to Show to the World”Says General Manager of the Le Meridien,Chongqing
In July,2014,Mark Francis came to Chongqing to serve as General Manager of the Le Meridien Hotel.When Mr.Francis saw the reporter he smiled,offered his hand and greeted me in Chinese,“Ni hao.Hen gao xing ren shi ni! (Hello.Nice to meet you!)”
Having worked in the hotel industry for over 30 years,Mr.Francis has traveled all over the world.Originally from Canada,he has worked in New Zealand,Australia,the Bahamas,Hong Kong and China.Seven years ago,he came to mainland China,in charge of hotel operations management in Beijing,Tianjin and Shanghai for five star international hotels.Chongqing is the latest stop in his career,one he is most anticipating.
“Before I came to Chongqing,I had already heard from my friends in Beijing and Shanghai that this is a city with real Chinese characteristics;one that I should definitely see,which filled me with curiosity.”Mr.Francis said excitedly.Just like a good preview of a movie,after hearing so much about Chongqing,he had a strong desire to visit and couldn’t wait to experience the lifestyle here.The first week Mr.Francis arrived he visited Ciqikou ancient village,which was a real eye-opener,with its narrow streets and ancient roadways.The compound forms a unique space from the past;old style tea houses,traditional cottages and the unique culture of the river dock,where he saw the epitome of ancient Chongqing.“I like Chongqing.I also like the people.They are simple and friendly.Chongqing is a city combining modernism and tradition.Coming here gives me the same feeling as when I first came to China,”Mr.Francis told the reporter.
In addition to enjoying the traditional Chongqing characteristics,Mr.Francis was deeply impressed by the night view of Chongqing.When taking a cruise along the two rivers,feeling the wind and viewing the lights and cityscape of Chongqing which fills the eye with so much to see.“It’s like a painting!”Mr.Francis said.In his spare time he likes to walk around in the city and sometimes takes the light rail to gain a greater appreciation for the expansive area.“I would eat a bowl of Chongqing spicy noodles during a break,”he said with a smile.“The bean curd noodles are my favorite.”

新鮮的豆花,搭配入味的臊子,獨配的小面佐料,絕對滿足你的口感。重慶豆花面是范馬克的最愛。

剛來重慶的第一周,范馬克便去了磁器口,這讓他大開了眼界:街道、巷道、宅院構(gòu)成了一個獨特的立體空間;古風(fēng)猶存的茶館、傳統(tǒng)的手工作坊,還有獨特的碼頭文化,在這里,他看到了古老重慶的縮影。
According to Mr.Francis,Chongqing is a busy,casual city,but urban planning is very scientific.Each district has its own downtown and disperses the crowds of people to a certain extent.Being from Canada,Mr.Francis was shocked when first seeing the traffic in Chongqing.When asked about his feelings for Chongqing,he thought for a moment and said,“Chongqing is just like spaghetti.The roads and overpasses are spread out like noodles.The city is developing at an amazing speed,as well as the 3D landscape,but the customs are the sauce of original and local characteristics…very memorable!”He also mentioned that Chongqing needs to market itself more.There are many people in Canada who don’t know about this big city hiding in western China.He hopes more travel agencies will promote Chongqing.“There are many features Chongqing can offer the world,such as cuisine,hot springs,etc.”Mr.Francis said.
Although Mr.Francis hasn’t lived in Chongqing for long,he has already become accustomed to working and living here.As a foreign manager of a hotel,language,communication and cultural understanding are important factors of his job.Years of management experience have taught him how to get along with Chinese employees.When asked about the hotel industry in Chongqing,Mr.Francis said,“As the self-promotion of Chongqing increases and the development of its tourism industry grows,it is a great opportunity for both locally owned and foreign owned hotels,but the industry also faces more competition and challenges.This is a great motivator for him to live and work in Chongqing.“Working and living in Chongqing will become an unforgettable experience in my life.What’s more important,I hope to be able to contribute to the development of the hotel industry in Chongqing.I will give it my best,”says Mr.Francis.
