She explains that each of the housekeepers at Grand Hyatt Dubai have downloaded the app to their mobile phones and have a password and access to all the rooms that are assigned to them.
“It’s such a fantastic system and I think hotels need to invest in that rather than using piles of papers.” A further advantage she highlights is that housekeeping managers know where each housekeeper is and what tasks have been done, so “they can’t cheat!”
Rihab Rotana & Rimal Rotana are also using housekeeping apps, explains Aslitdinoval who comments: “Most hotels are not really willing to invest [in apps] but they are so much more efficient and now I don’t have to call anyone to check whether a suite is occupied – now I have it on my iPad.”
| Advertisement |
Linked to efficiency issues, staffing will be addressed at the forum, with current challenges in recruiting talent a key focus. The panellists outline that language barriers, visa issues and a lack of skills are the main problems that are being faced in the industry.
Aslitdinoval comments: “We can teach you how to clean, we can teach you how to make a bed, and we can provide English courses but it doesn’t always help”.
The length of time it takes to recruit for housekeeping positions is another issue according to the experts, with Khatri highlighting that the process takes roughly eight to 10 weeks.
Aslitdinoval on the other hand, points out that her key challenge is retaining staff once they are in their roles. “It’s amazing how people rush home,” she comments. “It is becoming a big problem for us now and the competition is increasing. There are other hotels opening and on this level even very small wages will make a real difference.”
Ahmed, however, says there are some “very loyal people”, explaining that they know the job is similar in other companies. “I think more or less the salary is streamlined in Dubai,” Ahmed says. “People also look at their comfort zones – the people they know, the accommodation they get, the meals provided and other benefits, such as free stays in hotels; it all adds up.”
Attracting Emirati staff is another hot topic highlighted by the panellists especially since, according to Ahmed: “The hotel has a quota and usually they are in HR and front office – it’s very difficult to lure somebody into housekeeping.” However, she tells us that she has an Emirati team leader who is “really highly motivated”, adding: “She does a great job but it took me two years to find someone”.
In order to retain Emirati staff, the panellists outline opportunities for growth as key: “As a physical job it’s quite difficult,” comments Aslitdinoval. “But even though they get tired, they come back, and they even want to go to the next level.”
Article continues on next page ...
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
