More respondents in the 2014 Hotelier Middle East Salary Survey named Egypt as the country with the worst pay levels than anywhere else in the region – although most of them do not currently work in the country.
Of the 319 people who answered the question ‘Which country do you think offers the lowest pay scales in the hotel industry?’ 20.4% (65) identified it as Egypt.
However, of these hoteliers who gave Egypt as their answers, 42 actually currently work in the UAE.
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The Hospitality Company has helped a number of hotels in Egypt fill key positions and managing director Eric van Wijk said it was still possible to convince talent to move to Egypt to take on senior positions.
“We have no problem filling the roles,” he explained. “The way we sell it – and the people who know Egypt understand this – is that the cost of living is lower. Therefore they may be willing to accept a salary that, compared to Dubai or other places, is lower."
However, he accepted that many Egyptian nationals were still looking to move abroad searching for better salaries.
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Egypt was one of the epicentres of the Arab Spring, and indeed continues to be the subject of ongoing political and social upheaval.
Asked about the Arab Spring, 39.86% of respondents thought confidence has already been restored to the GCC following the Arab Springs of 2011. Meanwhile, 16.3% thought it would take more than a year for confidence to return, while 13.04% thought it might take more than five years.
“The tourism industry in Egypt has unfortunately been hit very hard by the civil and political unrest which has based upon recent announcements has seen a 42% drop in tourism revenues,” said TRI Hospitality senior consultant Chris Hewett.
Download the Hotelier Middle East app through iTunes to read more on the Salary Survey in the June Edition of Hotelier Middle East on your iPhone or iPad.
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