InterContinental Muscat's Yahya Al Hatmi has won the highly coveted Hotelier Middle East Unsung Hero of the Year Award 2015.
“I don't have to put in any special effort, for me it comes naturally. I love seeing a smile on guests' faces and faithfully keep in touch with every single guest who exchange contact details with me,” said Al Hatmi, who is a room attendant at the Omani property.
Al Hatmi painstakingly prepared for the National Hospitality Institute of Oman’s Bed Making Contest, after wilfully volunteering to take part in the content. Unselfishly, Al Hatmi has also taken the onus of mentoring the new recruits at making the ‘perfect bed’.
Al Hatmi is a favourite amongst the hotel’s repeat guests, with patrons often ringing up the hotel in advance to be accommodated on the floor that he is posted on. He is often found chatting with guests, many of whom he shares a personal relationship with.
Such is his enthusiasm that he once got talking to a guest about the bakhor (an Omani incense burner). He went one step ahead and ended up buying one for them as a gift. Ever since the hotel began a programme that lets staff buy gifts and souvenirs for guests if they get to know their preferences.
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Highly commended in the category was Arshad Khan from Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa.
The other shortlisted nominees in the Unsung Hero category included: Haneefa Hassan Rawther, bus washer, Crowne Plaza Dubai; George Samuel, public area attendant, Crowne Plaza Sohar; James Zacharia, sous chef - team cafeteria, Hilton Abu Dhabi; Shetty Sadashiva, accommodation manager, Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa.
The James Bond-themed Hotelier Middle East Awards took place on Wednesday, October 28, at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City.
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