24-year-old named Hotelier Express' Young Hotelier

Designed to recognise the upcoming talent in the mid-market industry, the Hotelier Express Young Hotelier of the Year 2017 crown was handed to Mais Al Tamimi, a guest relations officer from First Central Hotel Suites, Dubai.

The judges had a tough time with this category, but this 24-year-old has been praised by her peers and supervisors for increasing positive guest experiences in the hotel. One of her colleagues described them as a “hidden gem” and predicted great things in her future in the hospitality industry.

Al Tamimi, speaking to Hotelier Express on the night, said: "When a guest comes to a hotel, he is expecting to be a VIP and expects to feel special. My strategy is to make everyone feel special."

She revealed that her long-term plan was to become a CEO or chairwoman of a company, and added about her current line of work: "The thing about hospitality is that it’s very challenging. The thing that I like about it is that every day there is something new and every day there is something to learn – especially as a young person. Hospitality is definitely one of the most challenging industries that I have ever been in."

Highly commended in the category was Kateryna Matska, a waitress at Le Grand Cafe in Gloria Hotel Dubai.

They fought off competition from: Roxanne Burayag, HR assistant, First Central Hotel Suites, Dubai; and, Ahmed Zaki, government relations manager, human resources, Time Oak Hotel & Suites.

The award was presented by DMK MENA FZE marketing manager MENA Daniel Deliano.

The inaugural Hotelier Express Awards was held at Grosvenor House Dubai on February 22, 2017, and was supported by: Platinum Sponsor, Caffe di artisan; Gold Sponsor, Oldenburger; Silver Sponsor, A. Ronai; Category Sponsors, SIAL Middle East, Sealed Air Diversey Care, Aramtec, Viking Gulf, Prologic, Dallmayr, Hoist Group; and Beverage Sponsor MMI.