The UAE is one step closer to becoming an independent country member of Les Clef d’Or following a meeting between the international organisation of lobby concierges and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
Les Clef d’Or’s president Robert Watson and second VP Emmanuel Vretto met DTCM executive director for corporate support and excoms of Dubai Concierge Group Ibrahim Yaqoot and Les Clefs d’Or UAE president Randy Santos yesterday in Deira, Dubai, to confirm the UAE’s application to become the 41st independent country memberof the organisation.
The UAE is currently recognised through Les Clef d’Or in the Phillipines, but its new status as an independent chapter is expected to be officially announced following a meeting among Les Clef d’Or’s board of directors on November 4, with the DTCM office in Port Rashid, Dubai, to serve as the organisation’s regional headquarters.
“We are an independent chapter and the rest of the GCC can link with us and look at starting the Clef d’Or in their own country. We have already received some enquiries from Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and Saudi Arabia,” said Les Clefs d’Or UAE president Randy Santos, who also serves as guest experience manager at The Palace — The Old Town, Downtown Burj Dubai.
“We waited for more than seven years before we handed over our application because we’re making history in being the first mainly expatriate country to join the international Les Clef d’Or and we have proven that the service we offer is consistent regardless of nationality,” he added.
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During the meeting the Les Clef d’Or commended UAE concierges on networking skills and consistently high service and advised additional education on enhancing guest experience would be provided through the launch of a dedicated training school once the application had been officially confirmed.
This would mean that any concierge joining the industry in the UAE that also applies to become a member of the UAE Les Clefs d’Or, otherwise known as a ‘Golden Keys’ member, would undergo a panel interview, and cultural and service training. Ongoing training would be offered to existing members according to the organisation’s international service standards
Les Clef’s d’Or in the UAE currently has 39 members from 25 hotels, which are mainly five-star properties.
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