It’s a busy market, with the number of hotels and independent F&B outlets springing up. Tourism has been affected by global political situations, but that brings its own set of challenges. In light of that, how do bar managers stay ahead of the competition, continue to increase revenue, and attract guests?

Caterer Middle East gathered five industry experts at Pacha Ibiza Dubai to discuss their thoughts on the market, and help shape the agenda of the October event. These included: Utopia group beverage director Angus McGregor; Whissle Group group bars manager Thomas Gillgren; Fling Bar Services bar manager consultant Andrew Mullins; Hakkasan Middle East & Asia head of wine Olivier Gasselin; and, Media One Hotel nightlife operations manager Motorga Heathcliff.

Staffing

The group agreed that while staffing was a challenge, it had been discussed many times earlier. However, Mullins pointed out that while frontline staff was previously highlighted, there was another related concern.

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Mullins explained: “The main issue I’ve had this year is finding skilled bar managers. Finding someone to manage a bar is a disaster in this town. Ideally, we grow people from within but the issue I find with so many places opening up and staff being poached or moving on so quickly, it’s difficult to have them long enough to train them into those positions.”

Gasselin added that the trend to “over pay” for positions has made it difficult for the likes of himself. “You try to retain your best staff but some people pay over the earth and poach everyone,” he added.

The trend isn’t confined to just independent venues or hotels, with the experts saying this was seen across the board.

In addition, no regulation on wages makes it that much more vague.

McGregor said: “There’s always rumours and rumblings on who’s paying what. The biggest knock I see with that is that a lot of people becoming more and more transient with their jobs. They do the opening, realise things are not stable and then are desperately looking for the next thing.”

The number of openings in the market has something to do with that, said Gillgren. “When you have an opening every week there are opportunities, and sometimes the grass is greener on the other side, but most of the time it’s not.”

The region is currently struggling to attract a good calibre of talent from the international market, saying Singapore is being viewed as the next hot property at the moment.