Hotel Talk with Farah Shammas

Send us Fan Mail Elizabeth Friedrich is an artist, fashion designer , Art Director of Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & , Industry , organizer of exclusive events, and the founder and organizer of the prestigious Red Diamond Awards. In this truly inspiring episode she talks about her life, motives, courage, wisdom and drive for independence, autonomy and peace. Her journey and wisdom will motivate...

Send us Fan Mail David Demetriades worked for St Raphael Resort and Marina for an outstanding 35 year career and has recently retired. In this episode, out of his comfort zone and speaking in his non native language of English, he kindly shares with us some reasons behind this steady and stable career choice, what he gained and some of the benefits about working in hotels and as Head of Purchasing...

Send us Fan Mail Natalia Kardash is well known in Cyprus for connecting people and having a passion to give back. Her phenomenal efforts with VESTNIK KIPRA and many events she has organized over the years has set her apart from the rest. She is a positive person with a friendly and professional attitude. In this unique interview she dives into some moments of her fascinating life and gives us an i...

Send us Fan Mail Helen Christofides is the Front Office Manager of St Raphael Resort and Marina, and has been working for the hotel for nearly 36 years! She discusses here why, how and what she loves about our industry plus we share some memories of events and guests that came along the way. A lovely snippet into the real life of hotel people and why we do what we do.   Watch video podcast here Ho...

Send us Fan Mail Nick Aristou is the Executive Director of Four Seasons Hotel Limassol and more importantly a dear friend. After four decades in the hotel business, he definitely has plenty of incredible stories to share. This episode only touches the surface of his inspirational career, however is a wonderful introduction with some great insights into what is a lifestyle and passion, not merely a...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Yangos Hadjiyiannis is the CEO of CIM - Cyprus Business School. As a graduate from  Cambridge University and the son of the founder of CIM, he is no stranger to education in all forms and neither to the challenges of taking over a family tradition, business and legacy. In this episode he shares some very important insights into many topics surrounding direction, family and edu...

Send us Fan Mail Antje Papageorgiou is very well known as a powerhouse in the Cyprus tourism industry having worked as a manager in TUI for many years. She is now retired and has more time to donate to her passions which include helping the environment, encouraging sustainability, beach cleaning initiatives and reviving Cypriot villages and promoting traditional cultures. A beautiful interview wit...

Send us Fan Mail John Vickers has had a long and successful career in the Cypriot media, which began in 1972. Still remembered by many for his popular radio programmes in the ‘70s and ‘80s, he has also worked in newspapers, television and, in particular, magazines. He was the first Chief Editor of Time Out Cyprus and Chief Editor of Odyssey: The World of Greece. He has translated more than 30 book...

Send us Fan Mail Stylianos Lambrou is a young entrepreneur with vision, creativity and energy. His knowledge of social media has helped promote the island to hundreds of thousands of people. He loves his homeland and this has been his driving force behind wanting to see growth, development and the right exposure. In this episode, his first podcast interview done in English, he shares his passion,...

Send us Fan Mail Olesea Ceaicovschi is a power house of a lady and a force to be reconded with. She is the winner of the Red Diamond Award 2022 in association with KEBE, the Cyprus Business Association, and the owner and manager of several companies mainly in the shipping industry. Her talents and passions spread far and wide, yet she remains a deeply humble, honest, kind and sensitive individual...

Send us Fan Mail Paul Lambis is the creator of Culture Scope, a senior editor at Cyprus Mail, an author, playwright, director, podcaster and a survivor! He is a remarkable gentleman who stands up for what he believes in, justice, fairness, kindness and is an advocate for women’s rights. Here he discusses all of this and very importantly his new project 74, the true stories behind the war in Cyprus...

Send us Fan Mail Mr. Savvas Perdios is Cyprus’ first time Deputy Minster of Tourism and the youngest person ever to hold a ministry position on the island. In this amazing episode and interview, he boldly shares with everyone his experiences, both personal and professional, as well as his challenges, great memories and visions for the future.   Watch video podcast here   Host Farah Shammas : Insta...

Send us Fan Mail Miranda Tringis, founder and general manager of Cyherbia Botanical Park in Avgorou, shares with us her story that brought her here from a country life in Holland, to Cyprus, and to open this amazing and unique park. She was a winner of the prestigious Red Diamond Awards 2022 and has some fascinating ideas and inspiring points of view. www.cyherbia.com Host Farah Shammas : Instagra...

Send us Fan Mail Prodromos Chamboulides has worked at St Raphael Resort and Marina since the ‘80s and is a very well known and respected Sales and Marketing Manager in the industry. A refugee from the occupied north of Cyprus, he openly shares his very personal and unique journey from quite humble beginnings to a career in the limelight.   Watch video podcast here Prodromos Chamboulides Facebook I...

Send us Fan Mail Christophe Chaillou is the Managing Director of Creative Tours, Cyprus. He shares with us his life in the tourism industry focusing on the French market, his family life and his personal journey that led him from France to Cyprus, with an interest in wine, along the way. A fascinating story with some interesting times all shared with humour and some wonderful memories.   Watch vid...

Send us Fan Mail Sasha Stankovic is a much loved member of the St Raphael Resort’s team and a favourite among guests. He chats about what makes the perfect hotel and holiday experience as well as his own personal journey which led him from Serbia to Cyprus, all with humour and honesty. Watch video podcast here Host Farah Shammas : Instagram Facebook Linkedin TikTok Farah's Club St Raphael

Send us Fan Mail Haris Theoharous is the Managing Director at GrandResort, Limassol, Cyprus and a graduate of Cornell University and Les Roches Swiss Hotel School. He is a well known leader in the hospitality sector of Cyprus and was the chairman of the Cyprus Hotel Association among other accomplishments. Here he shares his insights into tourism, the hotel industry, family businesses and more. A...

Send us Fan Mail Procopis Procopiou has worked as a receptionist for his whole career and is a long-standing team member at St Raphel. He shares with us why this position has been so great and what he loves most about working in one place and being loyal. This is a lovely episode for anyone thinking of going into hotels, who works in reception now or who is a manager or business owner and wants to...

Send us Fan Mail Michael Virardi is the example of a man following their dreams, dedicated himself to his passion and loving learning as much as he loves mentoring. A beautiful and wise conversation of strength of character, inherited values and learned ethics, this is an incredible episode and a lot of fun at the same time. Watch video podcast here Michael R. Virardi Facebook Instagram Host Farah...

Send us Fan Mail Mirela Sula is the founder and CEO of the international Global Woman Club and created of Global Woman Magazine. She is an acclaimed international speaker who recently did a TED talk and is a best selling author. Growing up in a village in Albania, her accomplishments are a far cry from her humble and limited beginnings. She recently visited Cyprus for the first time and shares her...

Send us Fan Mail Andreas Drakos is the Chairman of Cyprotels and Alltime Aviation. An entrepreneur in every definition of the word and a gentleman. His ‘rags to riches’ story will inspire everyone and his eloquent honesty will leave a lasting impression on all who listen to this.   Watch video podcast here Host Farah Shammas : Instagram Facebook Linkedin TikTok Farah's Club St Raphael

Send us Fan Mail Mr Said Chammas is the nephew of the founder of St Raphael Resort and Marina (then Sheraton) and worked by Mr Shukri Hanna Shammas’ side and within the company as the Financial Director for a career spanning many decades. Steeped in history and with an encyclopedia of wonderful memories, this episode could not be long enough to encapsulate the richness of experiences and timeless...

Send us Fan Mail Ioannis Demenegas is the Food and Beverage Manager of St Raphael Resort and Marina. Still in his first year with us, he tells us of a recent near death experience that shook the whole hotel and how he and the team were able to save someone’s life, while indeed so many other factors collided leaving this guest alive and well. Listen to this and other interesting stories of his life...

Send us Fan Mail Amani Vernescu is the founder and MD of Quality Focus Corporate Consultant and Trainer. She is a motivational speaker and ultimately a caring person. Here she shares her stories about being a refugee, rebelling from her family’s expectations of an arranged marriage, and finding her path with the help of many others. A wonderful tale of triumph, courage and determination. Amani Ver...

Send us Fan Mail Olga Balakleets is a musician and award winning pianist, based in London and originally from Russia. She is the founder and CEO of the international group Creative Women and organiser of multicultural events and forums. Here she tells us her true and honest story about her upbringing, her struggles, triumphs and accomplishments as well as her life lessons and real failures that ma...