Source: MEED
  • 100+ Emiratis attend AHIC's first hospitality mini job fair in Ras Al Khaimah
  • Ahmed Ramdan, Founder of Ròya International, Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group and Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority discuss Emiratisation as an opportunity for the industry.

Dubai, UAE. 19 April 2018. Following a three year public-private sector initiative aimed at engaging the Hospitality industry in Emiratisation led by Ahmed Ramdan, founder of Ròya International at AHIC 2017, and in line with this year's theme of Focus on the Future, AHIC hosted a seminar and mini job fair for 100+ young Emiratis interested in a hospitality industry career.

UAE Nationals attending saw a compelling film with Emiratis now working in various segments of the industry. Following the film produced by DTCM/Medyaf and the Emaar Emiratization team, the students met with international hotel brands and regional hospitality leaders with the aim to explore career opportunities and further bridge the information awareness gap between Emiratis and the hospitality industry.

On day three of the conference, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events and Co-Founder of AHIC, led a panel discussion on Emiratisation with Ahmed Ramdan, Founder of Ròya International, Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group and Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Commenting on where the industry is at, following the establishment of the board at AHIC last year, Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group said: "Emiratisation for us at Emaar is not a business issue, it's a matter of the heart."

"We are working effortlessly to inspire and attract as many Emiratis as possible to the hospitality industry and to showcase the diversity this fabulous industry has to offer locally, regionally and internationally.

"Our target is to double the percentage of Emirati employees at Emaar Hospitality Group by the end of the year and we're looking to diversify the roles they have within the hotels."

The panel agreed that the industry does face challenges in attracting Emiratis to work in hospitality, mainly because of the perception of the hotel industry, which they are collectively looking to change by visiting schools and colleges to talk about the opportunities the industry offers across all facets of hotel management and operations.

Ahmed Ramdan, Founder of Ròya International, a pioneer in Emirati led Hospitality said: "Thanks to the industry initiatives over the past few years and last year's formation of the industry group, we see things moving into the right direction. The industry needs to take a lead to find and develop talent, positioning UAE Nationals to lead the industry in the future."

He continued: "Perceptions of the industry are changing and as younger generations are coming onto the job market, they have less fear about working in the hotel sector, which is a great sign. They now see the industry as a more sophisticated and serious business than before."

Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, addressed Emiratisation from a government entity perspective. "Three years ago, we only had three percent Emiratis at the Authority, but we only had 19 employees. Now we have 80 employees and we have 35 percent Emiratis working at RAKTDA."

"Some of the work we have done to encourage Emiratis to join the Authority is to show the opportunities they can explore in the sector and we have seen a great uptake, for example in disciplines such as marketing. We also work toward educating the Emirati population about the value of tourism to the overall value of the economy.

"This initiative will help us to encourage the hotels in Ras Al Khaimah to embrace Emiratisation further through a culture shift."

The panel agreed that there is definitely more momentum when it comes to Emiratisation than in the past, but urged that the private sector need to be proactive and move the initiative forward.

For more information, visit: www.arabianconference.com

About AHIC 2021

AHIC, now in its 17th year, is the annual gathering for the Middle East's hospitality investment community organised by global hotel investment event organiser Bench in partnership with Middle East business intelligence brand, MEED. AHIC creates a knowledge and networking platform for global and regional investors of all backgrounds, offering essential insights to investing in hotels, showcasing regional and international hospitality investment opportunities and facilitating direct connections with hospitality industry stakeholders. AHIC 2021 will be held at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 20 to 22 September under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, whose continued support of the industry and AHIC has been critical to the region's tourism growth.

AHIC 2021 Sponsors

Sponsors include: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts as Host Sponsor; Accor, Dur Hospitality, Hilton and SMIT as Platinum Sponsors; Emaar Hospitality Group, IHG, Marriott International, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, NEOM, Radisson Hotel Group, Rotana and Taiba Investments as Emerald Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality, Bespoke Modular Solutions, Colliers International, Compass Project Consulting, Farnek, HVS, The Indian Hotels Company, Insignia, IT Hospitality Group, Katch, Louvre Hotels Group, OBMI Architecture, SSH, STR, TIME Hotels, Toggle Hospitality and The London Project as Gold Sponsors; Al Tamimi and Company, Colliers Project Leaders, Deutsche Hospitality, Diriyah Gate Authority, Hotstats, JLL, MMAC Design, CHIC-NAIA, PWC, Ròya, Shangri-La Group, The Red Sea Development Company, and Voltere by Egis as Silver Sponsors; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Hospitality Asset Managers Association, Sustainability Hospitality Alliance and WiH Global as Supporters; JA Resorts and Hotels as Golf Supporter; and Nespresso as Official Coffee Partner.