重庆艾美酒店总经理范马克：“重庆有许多地方可以展示给世界”

2014年7月，因为工作关系，范马克来到重庆，担任重庆艾美酒店总经理一职。见到记者，范马克一脸微笑，礼貌地伸出手，并用中文字正腔圆地说：“你好，很高兴认识你！”

从事酒店行业运作30多年，范马克时常因为工作调动在全世界奔走。来自加拿大的他先后工作于新西兰、澳大利亚、巴哈马和中国香港。七年前，他来到中国，分别在北京、天津、上海等地的五星外资酒店负责酒店运营管理工作。而重庆，是他在中国职业生涯新的一站，也是最让他期待的一站。

“来重庆之前，我就听在北京、上海的朋友说，这是一座具有真正中国特色的城市，他们都让我去看看。这让我充满了好奇。”范马克激动地说道。就像一部好电影要上映前的预告一样，听了太多关于重庆的描述，让他对这座城市特别向往，也迫不及待地想要来到这里体验重庆的生活。正因为这样，刚来重庆的第一周，范马克便去了磁器口，这让他大开眼界：街道、巷道、宅院构成了一个独特的立体空间；古风犹存的茶馆、传统的手工作坊，还有独特的码头文化，在这里，他看到了古老重庆的缩影。“我喜欢重庆，也喜欢这里的人，朴实、友好。重庆是一座现代与传统结合的城市，来到这里，感觉就像当初我第一次来中国一样。”范马克告诉记者。

除了传统的巴渝特色，范马克对重庆的夜景印象深刻。夜晚坐轮船游两江，感受江风、灯火，犹如在星河中徜徉,重庆的独特城市风貌印入眼帘，“就像一幅画一样！”范马克谈到这里，似乎仍意犹未尽。工作之余，他还喜欢步行穿梭在这座城市中，有时也会坐在轻轨上更好地欣赏这座城市。“走累的时候我会在路边吃一碗重庆小面。”看着我吃惊的眼神，他笑着说：“豆花面是我的最爱。”

在范马克看来，重庆是一座忙碌而又休闲的城市，但城市规划非常科学，每个区都有独立的商业、购物中心，在一定程度上分散了人群。因为来自地广人稀的加拿大，第一次看到重庆的交通，范马克不由吃了一惊。当问到对重庆的感受时，他想了想，说：“重庆就像意大利面，整座城市的公路、立交桥像面条一样四处蔓延，城市的发展速度令人惊叹；而这里3D一样的地貌，这里的风土人情，就像面上的酱汁，原汁原味，富有地方特色，让人回味无穷。”但同时，他也表示，重庆需要更多地宣传自身，在加拿大，还是有很多人不了解，在中国的西部隐藏着这么大一座城市。他希望有更多的旅行社推介重庆。“重庆其实有许多值得推荐的地方可以展示给世界，如美食、温泉等。”范马克说。

虽然在重庆待的时间不长，范马克已适应在这里的工作和生活。作为一名酒店的外籍管理者，语言沟通和文化理解成为最重要的部分，多年的管理经验让他和中国的员工非常融洽地相处。面对重庆的酒店行业，范马克也表示，随着重庆的自我宣传越来越多，重庆的旅游业也在不断发展，不论对本土或者外资酒店来说，这都是一种机遇，同时也面临着更大的竞争，更多的挑战，但也成为他在重庆工作的巨大动力。“在重庆的工作生活将成为我人生中一次难忘的经历，更重要的是，我希望能为重庆酒店行业的发展贡献我的微薄之力。”范马克这样说道。

“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.”

新鲜的豆花，搭配入味的臊子，独配的小面佐料，绝对满足你的口感。重庆豆花面是范马克的最爱。

刚来重庆的第一周，范马克便去了磁器口，这让他大开了眼界：街道、巷道、宅院构成了一个独特的立体空间；古风犹存的茶馆、传统的手工作坊，还有独特的码头文化，在这里，他看到了古老重庆的缩影。

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.