Rotana Hotels will introduce specially-made uniforms for its local staff as part of the company’s Duroob programme, which is focused on hiring locals in every market it is based in.
Speaking exclusively to Hotelier Middle east, Rotana CEO and president Omer Kaddouri said: “We have just designed a brand new uniform for local colleagues, both male and female. It is their local costume in a uniform design so that everybody is wearing the same dress.”
He added that the local staff liked the idea, and the uniform is expected to roll out in Q4 2015.
Commenting on the reason for this initiative, Kaddouri said: “We want to make them feel special, as getting them into the hotel business is difficult anyway.
“A lot of them don’t see hotel business as a great career, so we are going to spend a lot of time to pitch it as a great career and show that even if you start small and work hard, you can make your way up. It has been challenging but we are winning.
“We have got to get many locals involved in the industry as they are the future. Many (locals) embrace it now. We have seen a 10% increase in local employees, year-on-year.”
Rotana’s Duroob programme targets students, graduates and unemployed nationals and each individual is matched with suitable openings. Once employed, locals receive regular training to develp their skills and Rotana carries out annual one-to-one career planning meetings to set targets for their development and help them pursue senior roles.
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