Dubai, UAE, February 18, 2003
As final preparations for the opening of Grand Hyatt Dubai get underway, over 1,100 employees at the new City Resort are embarking on comprehensive training programmes, geared to enable them to offer hotel guests enhanced levels of service, commitment and product familiarity that are the hallmarks of Grand Hyatt worldwide.
“Each one of Grand Hyatt Dubai’s employees have been selected for their core competencies, presentation and attitude,” stated Yves Givel, Human Resources Director of Grand Hyatt Dubai. “Our training modules are designed to hone these qualities as well as orientate them on Hyatt culture as well as the culture of Dubai.”
800 of the employees at Grand Hyatt Dubai have been recruited internationally on overseas recruitment drives stretching over three continents. As many new employees will be visiting Dubai for the very first time when they report for work, the hotel’s management has planned a hearty welcome.
“The Management Team will meet the overseas employees from their flights and escort them to their accommodation at Sahari Village,” revealed Ramjan Bhugeloo, Director of Training.
“At the village there will be a buffet reception and a celebratory atmosphere as we want to create a ‘wow’ factor – exactly the same feeling Grand Hyatt guests should experience when they arrive at the hotel so we view this as the first training session!”
When training begins at earnest at the hotel, employees will be placed in groups of 25 for modules covering three general areas: Orientation, Product Knowledge and Department Training. In order to encourage communication, much of the Orientation and Product Knowledge Training will involve group discussions, as well as problem-solving exercises to promote teamwork.
Although most employees have an excellent command of the English language, phonetic lessons will also be on going, in order to boost confidence and introduce vocabulary widely-used in the hospitality industry.
“Creating a feeling of unity and belonging to Grand Hyatt Dubai is paramount during training,” explained Ramjan. “We also want employees to have fun whilst they learn as enthusiasm for their role will enable them to perform at the highest levels.”
When it comes to learning the specific tasks for their role, employees will be taught by their department managers who themselves have been undergoing rigorous training for the past few months. And as Grand Hyatt Dubai is equipped with the latest technology, great focus is placed on IT training - on average a waiter will undergo 10 hours of computer training and Front Office staff 26 hours.
Grooming is also a crucial element of Grand Hyatt Dubai’s training programme. Female members of staff will learn the art of skin and hair-care as well as the skills required to promote a confident, professional image.
Before the official opening of the hotel, Grand Hyatt Dubai will become fully operational with all Grand Hyatt employees taking turns to act as guests, whilst their colleagues put their substantial training to the test. This will give an opportunity for any corrective work to be carried out, as well as allowing chefs the chance to simulate real situations in the kitchen.
Even when Grand Hyatt Dubai is truly up and running, training will not be at an end: “It is an on-going process,” confirmed Ramjan. “If you instill a ‘can do’ attitude, employees are eager to learn and move onwards and upwards. To enable them to achieve that level of success, the training can never stop.”
Grand Hyatt Dubai is a 674 room City Conference Resort due to open mid March and is positioned to become a leading destination for the global conferencing industry. Situated in Garhoud, by the shores of Dubai Creek, Grand Hyatt Dubai offers a wealth of luxury resort and conferences facilities all set within 37 acres of landscaped gardens.
There are 207 Hyatt Hotels and Resorts around the world, which are managed by two separate groups of companies. Subsidiaries of Hyatt International Corporation operate 61 hotels and 23 resorts in 39 countries, with an additional 15 hotels under development. Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a separate company, and its subsidiaries operate, lease and franchise 123 hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Reservation or information for any Hyatt Hotel worldwide can be obtained by calling toll-free in the United States and Canada, 1-800-233-1234, your local Hyatt Hotel or Worldwide Sales Office, or your travel planner. Hyatt is accessible on the Internet at www.hyatt.com.
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Contact:
Nicki Naude
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Grand Hyatt Dubai
Phone: (971 4) 317 1234
e-mail: nnaude@hyattintl.com
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Gambate! Communications
Phone: (971 4) 391 6424
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© Press Release 2003
