Bahrain gov't to promote hotel careers to locals

The government of Bahrain is to attempt to change misconceptions among local citizens about working in the hospitality sector with a new training institute.

It will be part of a five-year strategy to get more Bahrainis to find jobs in hospitality, according to a report by Gulf Daily News.

According to the newspaper, the cabinet has approved plans for a specialised training institute, in a bid to change misconceptions among citizens that the industry is not compatible with social values.

Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan explained that while the Bahrainisation rate in the hospitality sector was 33% ten years ago, it has now dropped to 15%.

"The hospitality sector, whether hotels, tourist facilities or restaurants, offers some of the best and most elegant jobs in the labour market," he said. “Whether it is managers, supervisors, administrators or receptionists, there are decent jobs available with a pay of no less than BD300.”

He added that the misconception that women should not work in the sector should also end.

This latest initiative by the Bahrain government follows on from recent efforts in the UAE by Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing to show young Emiratis the opportunities available to them in the hotel industry.

It operated a stand at last week’s Careers UAE Fair, with 40 of the emirate’s hotels exhibiting with it.