BULLETIN12 HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST | August 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 08
Sharjah’s Al Bait Hotel
has launched a number of
sustainability initiatives that
include the property going 100%
plastic free. In the move, the hotel
uses sustainable alternatives
such as steel and glass straws
and biodegradable garbage bags
as well as glass water bottles and
metal room keys eliminating all
plastic.
A portable water filtration
plant is also installed at the
property, helping it produce its
own still and sparkling drinking
water. The water is packaged
in sanitised glass bottles that
are stocked in the rooms and
also retail at the resort’s dining
destinations. Proceeds from
all water sales goes to the ‘The
Big Heart Foundation’, which
supports underprivileged
children and refugee camps by
supplying water to them and
providing for their education.
Al Bait has introduced a zero
waste policy where all organic
and non-organic food waste is
transformed into high quality
compost that is used to maintain
the property’s landscaping.
The hotel also recycles its glass,
cardboard and kitchen oil along
with any plastic remains
Furthermore, the hotel reduces
its overall carbon footprint
by using motion sensors for
lighting to avoid unnecessary
use of energy. The front desk
air conditioning is programmed
with a timer to only switch on
during the dedicated hours of
operation and kitchen exhaustfans across all dining venues are
built to detect the heat of the air
and adjust their speed according
to the equipment in use.
Al Bait features a Teslacharging station to encourage
in-house guests and passersbys
to stop by and charge their Tesla
at the dedicated charging station,
set at the entrance of the resort.SAUDI ARABIA announced that several
hospitality jobs in the Kingdom
will be reserved for locals only.
According to Saudi Gazette,
the minister of labour and social
development Eng. Ahmed Al-
Rajhi issued a decision to “Saudise
the management, leading and
specialist professions in the
tourism hospitality sector.”
The decision includes hotels
classified as three-star and above,
resorts, hotel suites and villas
classified as four-star and above,
the report said.
Occupations such as bellboy,
parking valet, driver and doorman
will not be affected by the directive.
However, certain departments
such as reservations, purchasing,
marketing and front desk will be
given to Saudi men and women.In addition, roles such as the
hotel deputy manager, assistant
head of IT administration,
director and assistant director
of sales administration, sales
representative and sales
manager, fitness club supervisor,
public services supervisor in
a hotel, goods receiving clerk
and administrative coordinator
among several others will also be
reserved for local candidates.
The decision comes into effect
on Jumad Al-Awwal 1, 1441H
(December 28, 2019) and also
includes 100% Saudisation of
certain other jobs, as of Dhul
Qa’dah 1, 1441H (June 22, 2020).
Furthermore, according to
the ministry of labour and social
development there should be a
minimum of one local in the F&B,room service, events and laundry
department as the supervisor.
The decision also made it
compulsory to Saudise at least
70% of jobs in two occupations
— sales manager and events andconferences sales manager, as of
December 2020.
Employers are also banned from
recruiting expats, transferring
their services and assigning work
to them.Al Bait reduces carbon footprint with sustainable initiatives
Saudi hotels face 100% Saudisation across all deparments
The property has introuced fi ve eco-friendly programmes including a zero waste policy and water fi lteration plant
Multiple positions will now be reserved for Saudi nationals only and employers are banned from recruiting expats
The lobby at Al Bait Sharjah.The lobby at Al Bait Sharjah.