1001 Hotel Nights

Times are changing, the days when a full-time employment after graduation was the only option for hotel management graduates are over. Security as an immediate career objective is not so present anymore. More and more graduates in the early years of their career are looking for personal growth and experience.

Of course, there is always the possibility to continue studying, but not for all professions will this make a difference, nor for everybody will this seem appealing. Especially in hospitality management the need for practical qualifications and skills in contrary to firm theoretical backgrounds is evident.

It might seem hard segregating trainee ships from internships.  The trainee ship this post emphasizes on is the on-job trainings, after graduation and for at least 1 year. You can look at it as a super-sized internship with the bonus for the graduates of being more advanced in their careers and therefore able to absorb and gain knowledge far more efficiently than during the internships.

Depending on the company providing the trainee ship contracts, the trainees enjoy guaranteed full-time contracts on completion of the trainee ship, housing and other benefits. Now isn’t that nice?

Eelco Böhtlingk, from The Netherlands, in July 2008, made it into the trainee ship offered by Starwood Hotels & Resorts worldwide, Vita Futura, a 1,5 to 2 year Graduate Management Program divided into 3 stages, eventually allowing him to specialize in one department.

Vita Futura also offers Eelco the opportunity to experience almost all departments and in so doing finding his preferred future career path. He is currently placed at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, the benchmark luxury Hotel in Abu Dhabi since 1979!

It gets him going around to every corner of the hotel…along the way he is gaining understanding of the aspects and challenges of different departments in the hotel. By developing such an overview his knowledge is becoming more and more effective each day. This experience will prove to be invaluable for his future career at Starwood.

As with any regular employment he had to apply for the trainee ship, but the process after applying and before hiring is dissimilar. Most trainee ships will require you to enter an assessment process in which you will be tested on various skills and qualifications. For a hospitality related trainee ship you can expect to get tested on language skills, basic IQ, EQ and group interaction/ presentation skills. Basic requirements for the job of a hospitality manager anyway right?

Vita Futura values each person by building on their existing skills and experience, and by opening the door to an exciting and challenging international career.

Interested in learning more about Starwood’s Vita Futura Graduate Management Program? Visit www.starwoodvitafutura.com, an opportunity to design your own destiny.

World famous purveyors of Beluga join Starwood repertoire

The Sheraton Damascus Hotel has held a successful safety and security week which has included lectures for number of hotel executives and attended by all hotel employees according to their shifts.

The last day of the safety week has been dedicated for the evacuation excise by the hotel.

In addition to that, and as the previous year, the fire bridge was called to participate to the exercise by the hotel, with an exercise to rescue a man from the hotel roof.

‘Al Aqah Fun Day’ hosted by Le Meridien with proceeds going to local charity

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: On December 02 Le Méridien Al Aqah will transform into a playground of fun and excitement with its fantastic fun day out for all the family offering a variety of action packed games for children and adults alike.

Expected to attract families from the local area and further a field, a wide range of fun events are planned for the day, starting at 12 noon and continuing until 8pm. The aim of the day is to not only bring families closer together but also to raise money for charity where this year all proceeds will go to the Angel appeal for Seafarers Support boat and a Fujairah charity association. Continue reading “This national Day is a Fun Day at Al Aqah for a good cause”

 

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates -To cater to the increasing number of leisure tourists and water sports enthusiasts, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort will hold its fourth fly-fishing academy from December 14 to 21, 2008.

Fly fishing as a sport is believed to have originated as early as the second century, but the past 30 years have seen an increase in the popularity of salt-water fly fishing and the favorable weather conditions in Fujairah during autumn and winter make it an ideal venue for fly fishing.

Continue reading “Le Méridien Al Aqah’s popular fly-fishing academy returns in December”

Dubai, UAE, April 2008 : aloha! Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE: HOT) and its much-anticipated new lifestyle brand aloftSM hotels today announced plans for the first aloft hotel in the Middle East - aloft Abu Dhabi. aloft is partnering with Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company PJSC (ADNEC) to open the new-build hotel in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Construction starts in 2008, and the hotel is expected to open in 2010.

The 380-room hotel will be located within the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, a key part of the Capital Centre mixed-use development. This micro-city consisting of premium office towers, luxury hotels and residences, restaurants, shopping and a marina is located just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 15 minutes from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Anticipated to become the premier lifestyle and business hub of Abu Dhabi, Capital Centre is expected to dramatically change the skyline of Abu Dhabi with a total of 23 skyscrapers.

Continue reading “Aloha Abu Dhabi! “The new tWist in Travel” will debut in 2010″

Signature ‘Heavenly Bed’ is ranked high in the industry; tested by Richard Branson in Dubai, and is renowned for style and comfort

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 11 December 2007 – The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort promises guests a ‘heavenly’ experience throughout their stay at the property. Their signature Heavenly Bed was tested recently by Sir Richard Branson, CEO and President of Virgin Airlines.

The latest addition to the Westin chain and their flagship property in the UAE, The Westin Dubai is readying itself to woo guests and to ensure highest levels of comfort once they check in to the hotel.

General Manager Michael Scully commented “The Heavenly bed was tested recently by Sir Richard Branson while he visited Dubai. His expression was assurance enough that the experience was heavenly for him, just as it will continue to be for all our guests!” he stated.

Sumptuous and stylish, the all-white Heavenly Bed comprises a custom designed pillow-top mattress set, a cosy down blanket, three crisp sheets ranging in thread count from 200 to 250, a comforter, duvet and five plush pillows. It is unlike any other bed in the industry, and has won glowing reviews and loyal fans since its introduction in 1999.
Continue reading “Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi - Westin guests in Dubai are promised ‘heavenly’ experience”