Dubai Jobs Driven by Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Industry

by Sam Taylor Something to shout about

While the recent surge in growth of the Dubai economy can be put down to a number of reasons, one of the key factors is an explosion in the hospitality industry, it has emerged.

According to new research conducted over the last twelve months, online recruitment activity within the sector has increased by 34 per cent, at a rate faster than any other field.

Thanks mainly to the increasing amount of hotels opening within Dubai, hospitality is now leading the jobs market within the United Arab Emirates, and it is expected to only grow further in the coming years.

Hotel Boom

Through to the end of 2016, the country’s Department of Tourism and Commerce anticipates that a total of 139 new establishments will open within its largest city. This includes 91 hotels and 48 apartment hotels.

It represents a significant increase on the current amount of 634, which boasts a combined 88,680 rooms. This will further rise through the first half of 2017, when global accommodation operator Starwood will have opened ten new properties nationwide.

Those include buildings in West Abu Dhabi, West Dubai on The Palm and Aloft Sharjah. Starwood runs 22 hotels within the UAE, and currently has almost 400 job openings.

Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel is also due to open in 2017, marking the company’s entry into the Arabian Gulf Market. It will run a 200-luxury room establishment, of which 600 staff are expected to be hired.

Christoph Mares, who manages Middle East business for the company, has explained that they like to employ an average of three people per room they have available.

Jobs Boost

In 2009, research shows that the number of hospitality job vacancies in the UAE was approximately 18,000. Five years later, that figure now stands at 61,000 – with almost 300,000 occupied roles as of 2013.

Workers across all industries are also set to see growth in terms of their wages. Average salaries are expected to go up by 4.8 per cent, faster than the 4.6 per cent rise seen over the past twelve months.

However, this may be offset by the fact that annual inflation in Abu Dhabi and Dubai is currently running at around 3.5 per cent. But in general benefits are progressing for employees.

‘Retailtainment’

In addition to the sharp rise in the number of hotels opening across the region, several groups announced at the annual DEAL (Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure) Show in 2014 plans to open new and exciting Theme Parks and Entertainment venues in Dubai. Developers across the region are planning on combining some of the largest Retail Malls and locations with new and exciting Entertainment conepts.

The World Market for Theme Parks is expected to touch $31.8 dollars by 2017, with the Middle East poised to witness the largest growth rates. The annual DEAL Expo held at Dubai World Trade Centre, last year saw Global Key Players in the Leisure and Amusement Industries show increased interest in the region.

This has translated to International Entertainment companies such as Warner Brothers and Disney planning the launch of venues here in the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed’s own property and investment company Meraas Holdings, announced in 2011, their plans to open a Florida style entertainment offering in Dubai and began the development of Dubai Adventure Studios Park.

In addition to this Meraas Holdings have since announced plans to launch a Bollywood style theme park, an underwater adventure park, a night safari and a novel children’s theme park, “Meraas has been working with several industry experts to bring together a powerful mix of components that fulfil the need for a pure entertainment-based destination. The new initiative comes in response to Dubai’s status as a top global touristic destination which will contribute to the growth of the economy. With work on critical infrastructure including transport links gaining speed in the emirates, Dubai’s projections for the tourism sector are optimistic and well-founded.” Abdulla Ahmed Mohammed Al Habbai, Chairman of Meraas Holding.

The boost in the Entertainment and Amusement Industry in the UAE is leading to a host of jobs being available in the market. Experienced Operations Managers, General Managers and Technical Managers are in particular demand.

The Travel Industry

It’s not just new, luxury hotels that are helping the hospitality industry grow – the travel sector is really helping the UAE become a more accessible nation, thus helping these hotels attract customers.

Airports are being expanded to allow more and more visitors to enter, while train lines are being built to help them move around more freely. Not only is this also helping the economy, but it makes it a more attractive place to tourists.

The nice weather and the increasing amount of things to do in Dubai are also encouraging, with people from all over the world seeing it as an ideal holiday destination.

If you’re looking for hospitality employment in the Middle East, specifically Dubai and the UAE, then contact Mackenzie Jones for some expert advice and exciting job listings.