Burj Al Arab's Van Der Veen takes Concierge award

Burj Al Arab concierge manager Oscar Van Der Veen was last night named Concierge of the Year at the Hotelier Middle East Awards.

It meant that, as the iconic Dubai hotel gets ready to celebrate its 15th anniversary on December 1, the celebrations for at least one important staff member started early.

He received his award from Restonic sales director Middle East & Africa Sameer Ahmed.

Speaking to Hotelier Middle East shortly after collecting his award, Van Der Veen said: "I’ve worked hard both internally and externally to maintain relationships – that’s what [being a] concierge is all about. So I’m happy; I’m shivering; I’m ecstatic.”

Judges in the awards were particularly impressed with his personal shopping efforts, which included tracking down a US $22,000 suit in Riyadh.

He also stood out as a result of his insistence on obtaining media training early on his career at the hotel, meaning he has had the confidence to be interviewed a number of times.

“It’s an amazing city to work in and a wonderful playground to sell to visitors to Dubai. Even if I’m looking after Kings and Queens, I’ve got something for all of them because I’m in Dubai and sometimes I’m the face of Burj Al Arab.”

Westin Mina Seyahi Dubai chief concierge Mandar Naik was Highly Commended in the same category, while the other shortlisted nominees were: Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels’ Vishal Gulafi, Fairmont Dubai’s Ela Lanzanas and Meliá Dubai’s Joy Secreto Nofies.

The Hotelier Middle East Awards were held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. The event was supported by Du, A. Ronai, Restonic, MLA, Diversey, Arecont Vision, Canon, MMI, TCL, Horeca, Patchi, Pulsar Foodstuff Trading, Amir, and Julius Meinl.