Expert calls for Emiratisation encouragement

Ròya International founder Ahmed Ramdan has called for HR sustainability in the hospitality industry with the encouragement of UAE nationals entering the workforce.

The Emirati hotelier joined the hospitality industry at a time when it was taboo, he said, for Emiratis to enter the sector.

Speaking at the Hotelier Middle East: Great GM Debate, he said: "In the past it was taboo, but it is changing now. We see that Emiratis are willing to join the industry."

He said that it was important to encourage Emiratis to seek out the hospitality industry, and also change the perception of what a hotel cateer entails.

When questioned whether enforcing a percentage of UAE nationals in the industry was the way forward such as Saudisation and Omanisation , Ramdan said: "Yes, Saudi Arabia and Oman are part of the GCC but they have a different economy and a different combination of nationalities, so it’s very difficult to compare."

He added: "We need to see what we can do without forcing - rather, encouraging. Will the force come? It may come eventually, if we don’t act. We need to work together, keep the competitiveness aside and work tougher to encourage UAE nationals into the industry. We want this industry to be sustainable."

Ramdan and his team also showcased a video with interviews with Emirati nationals explaining their passion for the hospitality industry and their willingness to be accepted as part of the sector. 

He said: "I am so confident that our young Emiratis are ready and worthy of being given a chance to prove themselves."