Southern Sun to host bright Mena students for DSS Apprenticeship Programme 2009

The annual Apprenticeship Programme brings together some of the brightest students from the Mena region as the year 2009 will be the third consecutive year that the South African hotel chain hosts the successful candidates during their rewarding two-week apprenticeship in Dubai.

Named the World Travel Awards' Leading Hotel Brand in Africa, Southern Sun will welcome students from across the region to its deluxe Qamardeen Hotel, situated in Downtown Burj Dubai, which will be the students' home away from home as they complete their apprenticeship for DSS.

Richard Weilers, Managing Director of Southern Sun Middle East, expressed pleasure at hosting the apprentices for the third consecutive year.

Weilers said:

"The DSS Apprenticeship Programme provides students with the chance to immerse themselves in a truly diverse internship opportunity and experience a summer they will never forget. As operators of the Qamardeen Hotel, which will be home to the students during their stay in Dubai, we are very happy to be able to provide every care and comfort to ensure their optimum enjoyment of DSS."

Since its inception in 2006, the DSS Apprenticeship Programme has grown from 4 participating universities in 2 countries, to include over 40 targeted universities and higher education institutions across 9 markets in the Middle East & North Africa in 2009. This year the highly successful programme will include a winner from the UAE for the first time, who will join other exceptional Business Administration and Marketing students from colleges in KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Qatar, Lebanon and Egypt, for a once in a lifetime opportunity to work on DSS - one of the biggest tourism success stories in the region.

Dubai Shopping Festival Office Marketing Manager Khulood Al Thani said:

"The DSF office is very pleased with the increasing popularity of this initiative, and we are committed to strategically elevating the standards of the program every year. This award-winning programme serves the local and regional community and provides valuable practical training, experience and industry contacts to the region's rising professionals of tomorrow. We extend our thanks to Southern Sun, whose consistent support has made organizing this unique programme possible."

The programme was cited as a major factor influencing the jury's decision to award the Dubai Shopping Festival Office the Travel & Tourism Award at the IPRA Golden World Awards in London last year.

The Qamardeen Hotel is conveniently situated in the vibrant Downtown Burj Dubai area, giving students direct access to various exciting shopping, leisure and entertainment facilities and activities during their free time. Qamardeen offers 186 well-appointed rooms, including 13 luxury suites and a host of amenities and recreational facilities. In addition to providing accommodation during the challenging two-week internship, the hotel will also provide complimentary wireless internet access for all rooms so that students can keep in touch with their families back home. A round-the-clock business centre and WiFi facilities in public areas also provide additional support during times when the apprentices need to brainstorm ideas or work on their reports and assignments.

Southern Sun Hotels, Africa's leading hotel group, entered the UAE in January 2007 and in two years has secured a firm foothold in the Middle East market, earning a reputation for excellence built on award winning service, superb cuisine and overall guest experience.