Dubai hotels 'losing out' to Yas Island attraction

NEW ATTRACTION: Dubai hotels are reportedly losing staff to new hotels opening on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

Better pay, attractive staff accommodation and a perceived stronger economy are among the reasons for an increase in Dubai hotel staff accepting jobs in Abu Dhabi, industry officials say.

Hoteliers across the emirate have reported significant numbers of staff being poached for pre-openings at the new Yas Island hotels in the lead up to the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, which includes seven new openings.

“We’ve certainly lost people to Yas Island; while it's an element of the hotels there offering higher salaries, I think Abu Dhabi is seen as a safer location at this stage,” said Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina complex director of HR Hein Dames in comments published by Hotelier Middle East.

“We have found that a lot of people have elected Abu Dhabi as a destination where they would like to work...Service charges and tips are better so when it comes to Abu Dhabi versus Dubai staff recognise the financial gains in the capital - even if they're getting the same salary they’re going to a property that's busier and generating more revenue,” added Dames.

Dames said that around 30-40 staff members had left the complex having been offered promotions at Yas Island properties, while in Dubai many hotels had enforced promotion and pay freezes.

Dusit Residence Dubai Marina resident manager Aloysius Michael warned that Dubai hotels should think twice before enforcing pay or promotion freezes.

“The economic downturn has set a lot of fear in the minds of employees. If they look around and see this market is not doing well, they will go to Yas Island so that puts the pressure on us to encourage employees to stay,” said Michael.

“Freezing promotions is not the best way because when the market picks up you can't find the talent because they've gone,” he added.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Dubai hotels 'losing out' to Yas Island
Posted by GWhiz, Dubai on Tuesday 8 September 2009 at 13:43 UAE time


It would be fair to say that it is commendable to have the foresight to headhunt trained, qualified staff in the leisure business with the added benefits. Dubai has left itself wide open to abuse by greed on all fronts. Retail staff are also being poached and why not?
Funnily enough it is the 'middle men' companies that are the culprits. Large profits to be had from household names to employ the right staff, but pay them as little as possible for even more gain. Who's to say anything, the person alone in a country, desperately trying for work to aid the family back home or here? Anything is better than nothing! To hire direct would be the best way forward especially in the case of these very customer focused industries.
Also the unfortunate issue of the Formula 1 Theme Park that was to be built at Motor City. It would have been the perfect compliment to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the next emirate to have such an entertainment venue. Tourists (of which many, many, follow Formula One and cars in general) would have been only too pleased to have stayed an extra couple of days to benefit from such a park. The cricket has been a resounding success and true pleasure, sharing between the wonderful stadium at Abu Dhabi and now Dubai. Why has it been so lately that Dubai has ignored the gold it has in its hands?

Hotel Staff movements
Posted by Harry, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday 8 September 2009 at 13:19 UAE time


The expat staff are here to earn money. So they are free to go where there will be better pay and conditions.
The Hotels in Yas area have to pay more to attaract employees from the pool of available and trained staff. If they opted for new employees from overseas they will not get people of the same calibre! and have to suffer as Atlantis some of whom could not even make iced coffe for the patrons.
It would be interesting to see the retention rate when the F-1 mass hysteria is over.

I am happy
Posted by Sandprince on Monday 7 September 2009 at 14:13 UAE time


I am happy for the people who get better accomadation, better salary and a more stable job.....some thing to celebrate is it not?

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