TAMANI Marina Hotel appoints Emirati concierge

A bold step by Dubai's iconic hotel towards Emiratisation

Dubai, January 16, 2014: TAMANI Marina Hotel, one of Dubai's top-notch deluxe properties and the winner of World Luxury Hotel Award 2013, has appointed a young UAE national as a concierge as part of the plans to employ more Emiratis in the booming hospitality sector.

The polyglot Emirati, Mallallah Atiq Mallallah, is tasked with the responsibility of guiding the hotel guests to touristic attractions and events and answering their queries on a variety of topics, ranging from shopping malls to nightlife, heritage sites, cultural programmes and best places to dine.

Walid Al Awa, General Manager, TAMANI Marina Hotel, said the decision to hire the energetic and affable Emirati was taken during the five-star hotel's participation in the hospitality industry training programme, START, conducted by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

The tourism industry regulatory body, in association with the Tourism and Hospitality Industry players, provides a training and employment advisory service to UAE national job seekers and the industry on Emirati recruitment issues.
The 35-year-old concierge speaks Arabic, English, Russian and Hindi. He expressed happiness over joining the tourism industry where expatriate workforce has remained dominant all through the years.

He said: “I feel it is a great responsibility to provide all required information to the tourists and guests in order to make their stay memorable and enjoyable. At TAMANI, I am looking forward to providing information, guidance and assistance to our guests. I know the queries may vary from the routine to the strange.”

He said he was looking forward to provide tourists information they require about every aspect of Dubai and the UAE. He added that with his joining the hospitality industry, many more Emiratis will be attracted towards taking up employment in the hospitality sector which is booming and holds a bright future.

Walid said it was a new experience for the hotel management to have a UAE national on board and this step will determine the basis for the appointment of more UAE nationals in other sections of the hotel operations and management.

The hotel has received a Certificate of Appreciation from Ibrahim Yaqoot, Executive Director for Corporate Support at DTCM, for the efforts towards Emiratisation programme. The certificate was received by Walid Al Awa at the graduation ceremony conducted by the DTCM for the SMART programme.

DTCM has been conducting annual Concierge of the Year competition to acknowledge their contribution to the hospitality industry's growth and honour their professional excellence.

TAMANI Hotel is an all-suites luxury-defining property with 245 units spread over 55 stories in the picturesque Dubai Marina and overlooking The Palm. Last year, the hotel won the World Luxury Hotel Award (WLHA) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Travel Awards.