Hotelier Middle East – May 2019

HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST | May 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 05

SPECIAL REPORT

42

HOTELIER (H): How important is it

for new entrants in the hospitality

industry to have educational backing?

OLIVIA TURNER (OT): During our

entry assessment we are looking for

communication ability and motivation.

These are essential elements for the

tourism, hospitality, retail and events

sectors. Our goal is then to teach the

technical skills required to perform a

functional role within the industry.

DR. CHRIS DUTT (CD): For those working

professionals who are changing

industries and entering hospitality for

the fi rst time, having an understanding

and a foundation in a hospitality-

focused subject(s) can expedite their

transition into their new career. This

will go some way in alleviating gaps in

knowledge for some of the industry-

specifi c functions, such as revenue

management. Over the longer term, an

education in hospitality management

will help with the ‘bigger-picture’

perspective, increase speed and

effi ciency, plus alleviate staff attrition

rates. If individuals have a greater

understanding of hospitality concepts

before they start, then they will grasp

the operational and managerial

aspects of their roles much faster.

Otherwise, a hospitality-focused education

is particularly helpful for professional

growth while working within the industry.

By providing students with the relevant

knowledge and the critical and analytic

thinking skills, it helps to develop the next

generation of management. These managers

will have the skills and abilities to develop

their businesses in an ever changing and

growing world.

H: HOW IMPORTANT HAS STUDYING BEEN IN TERMS OF

YOUR CAREER?

SA: I’m studying tourism at the Dubai College

of Tourism to gain more knowledge and

experience about the travel industry.

Salima Alaoui (SA): I’m studying tourism

at Dubai College of Tourism in order to

gain more knowledge and experience about

the travel industry. I must study in order to

understand how things work in the travel

industry, because without studying I wouldn’t

understand what the travel sector is all about.

H: ONCE IN A HOTEL ROLE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS

ON CONTINUING EDUCATION IN TERMS OF PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT?

SA: Staying on trends in Dubai, and trends

in the industry (tourism or hospitality) like

programme Dubai Way off ered by my

college, which can help you gain more

knowledge about the hotel industry and

customer services.

H: DO THINK IT IS NECESSARY FOR THOSE ALREADY

WORKING IN THE HOTEL SECTOR TO CONTINUE

THEIR EDUCATION WHILE ALREADY WORKING IN A

HOSPITALITY-RELATED POSITION?

OT: At Dubai College of Tourism

we believe it is essential. Both

basic information and knowledge

training and on-going professional

development. The rapid change in

technology, distribution, equipment

and management tools means

everyone should stay on top of their

professional development.

CD: Continual learning is always an

asset at any stage in one’s career. Even

if the information being delivered is

already familiar, its method of delivery

or critical review of the information,

could open the door to new ideas and

perspectives. This is especially so at a

postgraduate level for those who have

been working in the hotel industry for

a number of years. While all students

have varying course interests and