The Leading Hotel Schools of the World to open regional office in Dubai

The Leading Hotel Schools of the World, a joint venture of the luxury hospitality organization The Leading Hotels of the World, has established a foothold in the thriving Middle East market with the launch of its services through a new regional Leading Hotels office at Knowledge Village in Dubai.

Recruitment and staff development in the hotel industry are key issues in the highly competitive Middle East environment. By sourcing qualified interns and graduates as well as providing on-site seminars, regional conferences and customised e-learning for the hospitality sector, the group will enhance its services to member hotels.

According to Paul M. McManus, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Leading Hotels of the World, the key differentiating factor for The Leading Hotel Schools of the World network is its ability to provide a conduit between academia and member hotels.

Mr. McManus explained, “The skills sought by hotels and the career preparation offered by hotel schools are not always complementary, and we can help bridge that gap through curriculum development, course design, student and faculty exchange programmes, guest lectures and e-learning.

“Our member hotels will be able to draw on a large pool of industry experts and hotel-specific programmes, as well as access staff training programmes and avail themselves of a graduate pool of qualified hotel staff.

“As hotels continue to open throughout cities in the Middle East region, there is continued pressure to recruit the most experienced or qualified staff, and from our new base in Dubai we will be able to offer a single resource for our members to give them an added advantage here.”

The new regional office is the 25th worldwide for the company, and recognises both the exceptional pace of growth in hotel numbers in the Middle East region, as well as the continuing rise in the outbound market.

“While we have member hotels, resorts and spas in more than 80 countries worldwide, as part of our own growth strategy, we acknowledge that we have to get close to our customers – both member hotels and their guests,” said Jean-Jacques Gauer, Chairman of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.

“Customers here will now have access to both Arabic- and English-speaking staff at the new office, rather than going through a remote reservations centre in Europe or the US. In addition, innovative products such as the hotel school network and our hotel inspection programme will enhance the level of services we offer to our member hotels.”

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