Q&A:Pamini Hemaprabha, Executive Housekeeper Forum

Pamini Hemaprabha, executive housekeeper, Kempinski Mall of the Emirates.

Pamini Hemaprabha, executive housekeeper at Kempinski Mall of Emirates tells us what she thinks this year’s hot housekeeping topics will be at this year’s Hotelier Middle East Executive Housekeeper Forum, to take place on April 30 at Grosvenor House.

What are the key topics you would like to see discussed at this year’s event?
I would like to discuss the challenges of housekeeping especially issues with training manpower and career growth in the housekeeping department. Staff empowerment and development issues would also be good to debate. Promoting housekeeping as a career option would also be a great highlight.

What trends in housekeeping do you think will dominate?
I think the key trends in housekeeping at the moment relate to attracting fresh talent with new ideas who will prosper. I think new technology will take over most of the paper work and will make the housekeeping processes easier. Staff will move up the ladder faster than before due to an increased demand and more skilled labour.

What learnings do you hope delegates will take away from the forum?
I think most of the housekeepers will learn about the common challenges they face in their day-to-day work environment and learn things to help them face these. Also the interaction with other housekeepers will give them exposure about the different ways to motivate and groom their employees for advancement. Using manpower in the most productive way will also be a subject to take away and think about.

Why is it important for housekeeping professionals to meet and discuss housekeeping issues?
Socialising with fellow colleagues is always beneficial to help understand common challenges and their best ways to overcome them. Exchange of best practice also helps the growth of housekeeping in a particular area. Such forum allows housekeepers to be more vocal about their experiences and this means young housekeepers get better information from experts in the field.

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