Staffing could be roadblock to UAE hotel industry (page 2 of 2)

Housing these workers is becoming a growing challenge, as staff are becoming more demanding about the quality of the accommodations that they live in. 'We make sure that the owners that we partner with provide good accommodation for workers, which is getting harder in Dubai,' Nierhaus confirms.

'If you house them in the emirate it is very costly, but if you move them farther out into the desert transportation costs are going to be high, and workers are going to be spending a lot of time in traffic.'

Training gains importance

Another challenge that hotels need to address is ensuring that service levels for the industry are maintained in the region. 'Dubai has built a strong reputation in the industry and customers who travel to the emirate expect a high-level of service,' Nierhaus said.

Training will play an increasingly important role in providing these basic skills and enhancing the skills of existing employees to help boost their career development.

Catering to the region's growing need for training in the hotel industry will be the new International Hospitality Trade and Training Zone (Ihottz), a $2.8bn joint venture between the Investment and Development Office of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and the US-based Argentum Development Company.

Around 16 world renowned educational institutions will be hosted at the 90-acre Ihottz campus, which is designed to accommodate as many as 15,000 students upon completion.

The campus will have two centres providing the two-year Hospitality MBA programme, a culinary school with international recognition and a College of Hotel Administration, run by one of the leading international brands, which will offer 4-year and 2- year courses.

Ihottz says it will enter into strategic alliances with local, national and international companies that supply and cater to the hospitality and tourism industries in the region, creating the world's first hospitality industry 'super hub'.


See also:
Watch: The Hotel Show overview
International hospitality education hub planned in RAK