WOMEN IN TOURISM: Nicola Madden Grieg – Setting high standards

Nicola Madden-Grieg’s sojourn with hospitality started in high school, “it was a friend of mine in High school that felt this would be a good industry for my personality,” she recounted.

Madden –Greig set off to do the Diploma at CAST (now UTECH), followed up with a first degree at Florida International University (FIU) and started her first full-time job at Half Moon Resort..”I have loved it since,” she said.

Since early in life, Madden-Grieg had set high standards and goals, from excelling in academics to her professional life, it resonates in whatever she does.

At FIU, she graduated top of class with honours and was named to the Dean’s List every semester, as well as receiving the distinction of having her biography published in the National Dean’s List of American Universities, (only ½ of 1% of United States students achieve this coveted award,) as well as being invited to join the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Honour society.

She describes herself as an avid go-getter, creative, determined and focused but also a family person. “I like to relax and have a good time with friends.”

Currently The Group Director of Marketing & Sales with responsibilities for The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, The Knutsford Court Hotel, The Courtleigh Corporate Centre and The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Madden-Greig is also the chairman of the Kingston chapter of The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association.

She is a family person and said that her parents have been a great inspiration. “My husband, Stephen Greig, is also key in my decision making and helps me to be more patient and take life a little slower,” she informed.

Madden-Greig said that she has been lucky to have worked with former managing director of Half Moon Heinz Simonitsch and Karl Hendrickson (who is he?). “Both men, at very senior stages in their life, when most would settle down in the comfort of retirement, have the most ridiculous energy, thirst for knowledge, work ethic and clarity of thought than many half their age.”

“I hope to have the same energy and zest for life well into my seventies and beyond,” she said.

She sees herself continuing to work in the industry and move towards driving growth in non-traditional tourism. “ I want to focus away from just sun, sea and sand towards a broader experience truly celebrating the natural and cultural assets of the country.”