Nora Imeli to explore emotional intelligence and guest experience at Hotelier Maldives GM Forum 2026
Leadership and Human Capacity Consultant Nora Imeli will deliver a presentation at the Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum 2026, examining how emotional intelligence in leadership influences teams, workplace culture and ultimately the guest experience.
The 10th edition of the GM Forum will take place on 5 October at CROSSROADS Maldives under the theme “Resilience and Reinvention: Talent, Technology & Transformation.”
Imeli’s presentation, titled “The Human Side of Hospitality: How Emotional Intelligence Shapes the Guest Experience,” will explore the connection between the way leaders manage themselves — particularly during periods of pressure — and the environment created for their teams.
The session will consider how a leader’s self-awareness, emotional regulation and behaviour can affect trust, communication and decision-making within a team, and how these dynamics are ultimately reflected in the service delivered to guests.
Imeli is a Leadership and Human Capacity Consultant with a psychology background and international corporate experience across Europe, the GCC and Asia. Her work focuses on self-awareness, emotional regulation and decision-making under pressure, supporting executives, founders and teams in building trust, accountability and sustainable performance.
Her professional approach combines applied psychology, emotional intelligence and behavioural work. She has delivered more than 1,000 hours of one-to-one and corporate programmes, working with C-suite executives, founders and teams across sectors including hospitality, law and healthcare.
Before moving into leadership and human capacity consulting, Imeli spent more than a decade in sales, business development and leadership roles across the United Kingdom, the UAE, Hungary and Sri Lanka. Her experience includes working with the luxury hospitality segment in Dubai, where she managed commercial relationships with executive chefs, chefs, purchasing teams and finance departments.
She holds a BSc (Honours) in Psychology and a Diploma of Higher Education in Psychology from The Open University, and is also trained as a Rapid Transformational Therapy practitioner and certified life coach.
At the GM Forum, Imeli’s presentation will place the focus on the human element of hospitality leadership. Rather than looking only at systems, processes or service standards, the session will examine how leadership behaviour can shape the emotional climate in which employees work — and how that environment can influence the interactions guests experience.
The topic aligns with the 2026 forum’s wider focus on talent and organisational resilience, particularly as resort leaders manage increasingly complex operating environments while seeking to maintain employee engagement and consistent service standards.
Established in 2016, the Hotelier Maldives GM Forum provides a platform for resort general managers, owners, senior executives, government representatives and industry partners to discuss issues affecting the country’s tourism and hospitality sector. The 2026 edition marks the forum’s 10th year.
Dhiraagu is the Premier Sponsor, while Bank of Maldives is the Banking Partner, Dhivehi Insurance is the Insurance Partner and Male’ Aerated Water Company is the Beverage Partner.
The Silver Sponsors are Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), STO Energy, Villa Hakatha, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) and Atoll Solar.
ALIA, Uniforms Unlimited, Maldives Insider and Blue N White are supporting the forum as Associate Sponsors.
Souvenir Marine is the Transport Partner, Manta Air is the Aviation Partner, and Storm Events is the Organising Partner.
