Jurgen Bailom’s journey from working as a waiter on a ship to leading a cruise business valued at nearly Rs 8,000 crore is drawing attention for its lesson in persistence, adaptability and understanding people.
The Austrian-born businessman is the CEO of Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited, the company behind Cordelia Cruises. In a recent conversation with content creator Navan Jaiswal, Bailom spoke about his career, business philosophy and his belief in India’s potential as a cruise tourism destination.
His first job was as a waiter
Asked about his first job, Bailom had a simple answer: “Waiter.” He said his progress over the years was driven by a “can-do” attitude and his ability to quickly understand markets, people and cultures.
That approach eventually took him from hospitality roles to the leadership of a major cruise company operating in India.
Bailom said Waterways Leisure Tourism Limited is valued at almost Rs 8,000 crore and generates approximately Rs 600 crore to Rs 700 crore annually, according to his estimates.
Bailom sees huge potential in Indian cruise tourism
Having moved to India in 2018, Bailom said the country’s extensive coastline and tourism potential make it an attractive market for cruising.
He particularly highlighted India’s coastline and Mumbai’s energetic business environment, saying the city reflects the determination and ambition of people trying to build their livelihoods.
His financial philosophy is equally straightforward. Bailom advised people not to spend money unnecessarily and said financial success comes from understanding how to make money work rather than constantly chasing it.
His story offers an inspiring reminder that successful careers do not always begin in prestigious positions. For Bailom, the journey started serving customers as a waiter and eventually led to the helm of a business worth thousands of crores.