PESTANA HOTEL GROUP

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Gonçalo Marques Oliveira , Chief Information Officer , joined Pestana in March 2020 , just as the pandemic was escalating to lockdown . “ The initial impact of COVID-19 on the company was huge ,” he recalls . “ We closed almost all of our units in 15 countries between mid-March and April .” However , Oliveira adds that , despite the unanticipated disruption , Pestana was still thinking several moves ahead to ensure a swift resumption of services as soon as they were able . “ Everyone acted in a very professional way and in expectation that we would be ready to reopen at any point ; we wanted to make sure that the conditions were right .”

Oliveira ’ s career has been diverse but consistently marked by strong business development and analytical skills , which he has honed at several world-leading organisations . Beginning his first technology-related role in the early 2000s , Oliveira states that he was initially reticent : “ My first reaction was to say , ‘ I ’ m not the best guy to do it .’ Fortunately for me , my boss at the time said , ‘ No , let ’ s give it a try ,’ and I was subsequently able

NOVEMBER 2020