To Miguel Ko, president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia/Pacific, being successful at business is one thing, doing it with integrity and honesty is as important. The Singapore-based chief executive tackles the questions that matter in The SHY Interview.

What is the biggest buzz you get out of what you do?

Opening all these beautiful and iconic new hotels everywhere. It also does not hurt when you frequently hear from your friends saying that "you have the best job in the most interesting industry".

What do you most dislike about it?

Traveling long distance and through time zones (especially HQ is 12 times zones away).

What is your most perfect travel moment?

A long overnight flight in a comfortable Singapore Airlines "bed" and arrive fresh to a Starwood hotel's "Welcome".

What irks you most about travel?

Traveling to the US and be treated by the airport security, immigration
and custom officials as if you are a terrorist suspect.

What is your most treasured souvenir?

Usually photographs when memories are preserved.

Who's the most interesting person you have met in your travels?

The ordinary people in the local community who can tell me the "real" stories about their culture (and certainly not the local politicians)

Who's the living person you most admire?

Certainly not George W. Bush. Lately, I think Warren Buffet is pretty "cool" in giving away all his wealth and not being like everyone else in creating his own legacy "Warren Buffet Foundation".

What is the quality you most admire in others?

Integrity, honesty and care for other people

What is the talent you would most like to have?

A person who has the highest level of integrity, care for people and
also can generate great business results

What do you value most in your friends?

Sharing of your feelings, and give genuine advice

Favourite words?

"Lets do it".

Least favourite words?

"We can't do this".

What's your favourite noise?

Soft music from the 70's.

What's your least favourite noise?

Airplane noise, especially from the Concordes.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Most of my staff who work for me would want to follow me if they can.

What's the one thing you would say to kids?

Getting a great education is always the most important thing to have
in life. When you are old enough to regret it, it is probably too late already

What's the one thing you must do before you die?

Probably to spend a full year in my vacation home in Hawaii, doing absolutely nothing (hopefully in the not too distant future, and not right before I die).

The SHY Report
A regular column on news, trends and issues in the hospitality industry by one of Asia's most respected travel editors and commentators, Yeoh Siew Hoon.

Siew Hoon, who has covered the tourism industry in Asia/Pacific for the past 20 years, runs SHY Ventures Pte Ltd. Her company's mission is "Content, Communication, Connection".

She is a writer, speaker, facilitator, trainer and events producer. She is also an author, having published "Around Asia In 1 Hr: Tales of Condoms, Chillies & Curries". Her motto is ‘free to do, and be'.

Contacts: Tel: 65-63424934, Mobile: 65-96801460

Yeoh Siew Hoon's other writings can be found at www.thetransitcafe.com. Get your weekly cuppa of news, gossip, humour and opinion at Travel's Busiest Junction.