Wednesday, March 4, 2009

5 Reasons Bahrainis Don’t Like Hotel Jobs

I made small research and interviews on the reason why most Bahrainis are not interested in hotel jobs. I found at least two factors; socio-culture and socio-economy and here I will share with you why they don't want to take up jobs in hospitality industry from social perspective. Next post, we will discuss factors from social economy perspective. Enjoy…

Religion is the main factor influences Bahrainis in making decision to choose type of job. Since Bahrainis are doctrinised by Islam values, most parents do not suggest their children to work in hotel. They do not prefer their generation to be involved in travel related projects, because based on their thought that, the participation in hotel and hospitality industry, means against values in their religion. The rest of considerations have lots of to do with the way of life.

Culture is the similar, where it is one of the reasons for Bahrainis to avoid hotel job. As one of GCC countries, where Arab tradition and customs are dominant, majority of Bahraini simply think that tourism and hospitality industry is a kind of modernisation brought by the west. Tourism comes as a new phenomenon that contains several modern values and is associated to be contradictive over Arab conservative tradition. Those conservative families will definitely suggest their generation to elude working in hotel industry.

Education, skills and competencies are some of major reasons. The current Bahraini’s education system does not focus on providing suitable skills relevant to the job market. The government of Bahrain acknowledge the fact that there is an actual gap between the educational system output and the jobs available. For example, students, as a trend, are showing interest in oil company job, banking or IT, when there is a severe dearth for hotel professionals. This means that the large number of graduate students do not have jobs available when they are graduated.

The ministry of labour data shows that 69 percent of job seekers are secondary graduates or high school dropouts. They do not possess the skill and knowledge required to compete in the job market. In fact, they do not even meet the basic essential work skills. To be an hotelier, an employee must have basic skills and knowledge on hotel operations and management.

Attitude is one of the main reasons why are Bahrainis not employed in lodging industry. The basic requirement to work in the industry is the attitude of “pride to serve”. Tourism or hotel job is service industry where the backbone, as well as nature of the job is “to serve somebody else”. Only a worker who has proper attitude to serve people, will adapt to the job and can maintain longer employment. Moreover, the existing employment system does not encourage Bahrainis commitment to their jobs. They don’t simply commit to the job.

Work ethic is considerably related to the eagerness and level of enthusiasm. Are Bahrainis lazy? Bahrain’s Minister of Labour, Dr. Majeed al-Alawi, described Bahraini and most GCC nationals as “lazy” and “spoilt”, relying on imported labour for the simplest tasks.

Despite Bahrain government schemes to reduce expatriate and get more locals into work, the hard truth is that too many Bahrainis don’t want real job. “The simple truth is there are no t enough Bahraini nationals looking for work who have the quota expectations of the government”. Compared with expatriates, most locals will not work long hours, then it causes many employers have to hire at least two Bahrainis to replace each expatriate.

Anyone can add other reasons?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Come on Bahrainis, Lets Take up the Job..!

Hotel industry in Bahrain is facing a serious problem; inadequate of employee. Most lodging properties in Bahrain suffer from shortage of Bahraini workers. Despite the fact that there is high demand on hiring Bahrainis, they apparently do not have interest in hotel jobs. Bahrainisation programme in private sector did not effectively increase participation of Bahrainis to work in hotel industry. Meanwhile, unemployment among Bahrainis increases every year.

The current labour market in hotel industry is dominated by expatriates and in the future, expatriates recruitment cost will increase significantly and could be even higher than recruiting Bahrainis. I guess, if the Bahrain government do not prepare Bahrainis to take up jobs in this sector, it will severe the country’s current unemployment level.


* * *

Tourism has been booming in Bahrain since the last two decades. The government aims at taking this sector to at least 30 percent growth in the next 10 years. This tremendous increase is expected as a direct result of new developments, which are mainly directed towards bolstering the tourism infrastructure in Bahrain. Through the Economic Development Board’s new branding “Bahrain Business Friendly” and scores of ambitious efforts from the Ministry of Tourism, the sector has been setup as an economic locomotive to drive other sectors, striving to make the country the best global tourist destination.

Multi billion dollar tourism and hospitality projects have been invested in the Kingdom and thus will open employment widely. Data from Ministry of Tourism announced eighteen international hotels are under construction that will support Bahrain tourism with additional 4,500 starred rooms. These rooms will need approximately 3,600 employees, working directly for the hotel. And, by its multiplier effect, the new hotels will absorbs roughly 10,000 indirect workers from various sectors.

By means of this booming, Bahrain will have serious problem in term of supplying labour working in the industry. With current workforce condition, most hotels and lodging properties in Bahrain suffer from shortage of proper employee to run the hotel operations. The country’s hotel business has been facing difficulties in supplying skilled labours.

Many enterprises, including hotel businesses in Bahrain and GCC countries are to be hit hardly because of the expected shortage of million workers over the coming years. And moreover there is an acute shortage of hotel workers, particularly Bahrainis who have appropriate skills and experienced in hotel industry.

While lodging industry is struggling to supply proper labour in term of quantity and quality, most Bahraini do less intention to work in the industry. As a consequence, the industry employ expatriates from various neighbour countries (Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan), and mainly Asian countries such as the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Thailand.

Meanwhile, unemployment in Bahrain shows significant rate and could increase if radical labour reforms are not introduced and implemented. In the other word, if Bahrain’s labour market, particularly tourism and hotel industry is always depended on foreign worker, this will severe Bahraini’s unemployment.

The problem become more complicated since tourism is growing in almost every part of the world. In India, China and other countries in South East Asia and Asia Pacific, tourism has been growing extensively. The sector will generate employment opportunity to its nationals which will also promise better economic condition in general. This means, current hoteliers who work for hotel or hospitality sectors in Bahrain or in other countries in the region, soon or later, will be attracted to come back to their country considering better salary and compensation. If Bahrainis are not prepared to work in the industry, Bahrain’s hospitality sector will face serious problem to substitute expatriates who are no longer interested in taking career in Bahrain.

Recent situation in the country shows that government from countries such as India and the Philippines demanded better compensation package for their labour due to economic improvement. With Asian economy booming especially in India, professionals and highly skilled workers in the Gulf back home with more attractive package and most of them are not keen on working in the region. To respond this situation, countries such as India and the Philippines requested the government of Bahrain to increase minimum salary for their nationals.

It is important to understand that hotel, restaurant and hospitality industry need special skill to deliver the service. Hotel or restaurant jobs require staffs that have sense of service and are keen to serve people proudly. The customer perception of the service is always based on the performance of the employee they interact with, particularly in every time guest contact needed. Therefore, if Bahrain is not be able to supply professional workers to perform the jobs, it will effect to the level or quality of competitiveness of the industry. In other words, if Bahrain’s hotel industry fails to provide good quality services through its professional hoteliers, it is not impossible that most visitors eventually leave Bahrain due to the lack of proper services.

Bahrainisation programme as one of solutions introduced by the Government several years ago did not effectively increase participation of Bahrainis to work in hotel industry. Problems present nowadays, when there are lots of demands appeal to provide more jobs and employment for Bahrainis. Although there are massive calls for public to encourage Bahraini to work within the industry, many employers echo that Bahraini nationals are averse to making long-term commitments.

I understand there is a bunch of reasons why Bahrainis don’t work in the sector (I will share the factors on the next posting). But whatever the reasons, this year should be a start for Bahraini to think, act and take the job. Otherwise, they will be marginalized, by any mean.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Marriott Ambassadors

You know the reaason why I display these images, cause I have no idea what to post, hehehe...
Anyway, we are proud to be Marriott Ambassadors..
Mo & Sebastian


Agung & Mo

Saturday, January 17, 2009

AROUND THE WORLD BY BICYCLE

Adventurer Cycling Around the World
Stays at the Marriott Executive Apartment Manama, Bahrain.




Manama, Bahrain – January 13, 2009 – The Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain joins the project "Around the World by Bicycle". 120.000 km through more than 100 countries in the five continents was the target, conducted by the young adventurer Pablo Garcia. His message is straight forward: “Peace and friendship among societies and different cultures, tradition and their way of living”.

"Being the first Marriott brand property in Bahrain and the first time for Pablo to reach Bahrain, we apparently have the same vision to spread voice of peace to the world, and I am very glad to announce this collaboration," said Marwan Haddad, Director of Sales at the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama Bahrain.


Pablo Garcia with his bike in front of Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain


Pablo Garcia who reached Bahrain on the 6th January is currently staying at the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama until 14 January 2009. As part of the expedition programs in Bahrain, Pablo has been visiting some places of interest and meeting Bahrainis for cultural study as well as symbolically spreading the peace message.

"Traveling is a worth – living experience. I choose cycling because it's a way of reaching every place's heart and of its people. This is my story and I wish to share with you," said Pablo Garcia.

Recognized by UNDP and UNEP, the project demanded to cycle up today of 69.800km during seven years in 57 countries through South America, Africa, Europe and Middle East.

During the next 4 months, the Argentinean Pablo will cycle from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman. He will continue his journey to Iran, Pakistan, India, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The last part will be cycling from North America to Argentina which means will take another 50,000 km during the next 4 and half years.

"As Marriott concerns on peace awareness, we are very proud to be one of the sponsors to support Pablo Garcia to pedal the message of peace and tolerance. We believe, the Marriott Executive Apartment is the right stop over to continue his peaceful journey," said Hossein Garan, General Manager Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain.


* * * *

Marriott Executive Apartments, the upscale serviced apartment brand of Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) will nearly double in size in the next 36 months to respond to a growing need in many emerging markets for long-term stay lodging for executive expatriates needing spacious housing and hotel amenities. Including Bahrain, Marriott operates 17 Marriott Executive Apartments in 14 countries outside the U.S., and 14 more hotels are planned in countries such as Qatar, Thailand, Egypt, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.


MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,100 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com/.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Bellboy (not Hellboy)

I became a bellboy one day two weeks ago. The actual bellboy was busy with other guests and there was only one receptionist at the front desk. Onena (pronounced wanna), the receptionist, called me that she needed somebody from sales department to “assist” guest with their luggages.

She looked very busy, and decided to rush to our office. “Mo, can you please assist our guests at the lobby?”

“Are they long term or transient?” I asked detail.

“No, they are check-in,” Onena replied.

“Then..?”

“You know, I am the only one here and I am checking-in other guests and William is with other guests, upstairs. I already check-in the guests in the system and they are waiting for somebody to carry the luggage” she explained quickly.

“If I am free, I will do it. Please, Mo…” she asked.
“Wow, you mean you want me to be a bellboy?”

“Please..,” she was bagging

Only need one second, then I decided to rush to the lobby. I saw people moving around, there was only Onena standing behind reception desk, busy with Opera and there was a group of Saudis flocked right her eyes.

“Onena, where is the guests,” I asked.

“Please, this way,” she pointed me to a family who was sitting down at one of the sofas at the lobby.

They are Saudis, I guess. They are family, a parent with two kids. The father gave me his car key and told me to take the luggages from his car. I went out and trying to press the key. After couple times of pressing the unlock button and pointing it to some cars, I found a vey fancy car blinked its light. Sound like zeed…zeed, very quick.

Wow, a fancy car…
I did not realize that the father was following me until he showed me how to open the trunk when I experience difficulty to open that big ranger car. It is a really big, I guess it’s hammer or something like that.

I pull the bag, and lift it and carry to the lobby. Onena told me the room was 1073. Or 1-07-3 means... tower 1, floor 7, apartment number 3.

I brought them to the tower one and going inside to the elevator. They didn’t talk much, until I started greeting and talking with them, the kids were so cute. They were quite impressed with my spoken Arabic. You know, my English is not good and my Arabic is terrible, what a perfect combination, hahaha….

Then we reached the 7th floor. I pleased and directed them to the apartment, opened the door and left the luggages at the living area. And as usual, as a sales person I automatically explained the facilities, blah… blah… blah… I did not realized that I was a bellboy at that time, until we had a handshake and I found 5 Saudi Riyals at my palm.

I was so surprised… wow, he tips me..!

I suddenly remembered on our spirit to sales basic no 1 “Even the GM has to pick up the phone” then I told myself…. Alright, I have also spirit to serve of mine… “Even a salesperson has to be a bellboy…” At your service...!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Made in Indo

One friend told me there is a new mall open recently in Manama. It is City Centre. Located around seef area, Manama, Bahrain. It is said by far the biggest shopping mall in Bahrain.

I was excited to visit the mall, until one day during my three eid days off, I grabbed Teruna and Sebastian to go to the mall. It is really big for Bahrain. Much bigger compare with Seef Mall and other department stores, here in tiny Bahrain.

We visited some outlets, mainly electronic stores, like virgin and charaf. You know, all of us like to update with new gadgets… Teruna and Sebastian were so excited with then new release blackberry and Ipod touch. I just stayed cool, not to show that I also really wanted to have that gadgets…, but I we didn’t buy. Just look around..

Then we drop by Nike and North Face. Teruna was the first to be exuberant. “Wow, North face is here,” he shouted.

“I don’t believe, this must be abal-abal,” replied Sebastian. He didn’t trust this brand is original.

“Of course it is original. Look at the price, can you afford it,” Teruna yelled at him.

“Ok, I will buy one, this jacket. Yeah, this is cool man,” Bastian grabbed one North Face jacket and showed to us.

I said, “Cool down, man. Don’t scream, check the price tag. It is BD 200”

I don’t care the price, next month I will buy it, once I got my salary, heheha..” Bastian laughed.

But one second later, his face changed. Something wrong, I thought…

He was still starring at the price tag.

“See, this is an expensive brand, man…,” Teruna tried to advise him.

“No, it is not about the price… It is made in Indonesia..!” Bastian showed the text at the bottom of one of the tags.

Wow, we are so surprised… North Face made in Indonesia? I couldn’t believe it until I took some other clothes. I looked at also a bag. Yes, it is true, made in Indonesia.

“Then I won’t buy,” Sebastian said. “Me too,” Teruna agreed.

I said, why?
Cause we buy it to send home to Indonesia.

Yeah, you’re rite..!

Finally we left the outlet. We decided no to buy the brand, not because we are not proud of our product but, it seems funny to send home something that we actually have it in our country.

This experience re-occurred when we visited Nike and some shoe shops. Beside Thailand and China, most of Nike products are Made in Indonesia. You dont believe it? Just visit City Centre Manama.