MIDDLE EAST UPDATE Q2 - 2013
HALF A YEAR IS ALREADY BEHIND US
With half a year already behind us we certainly seem to have been busy with new signings and new openings. Further information on our business development activity can be found below in Elie Milky’s update. I would like to thank all those involved in this year’s Arabian Travel Market, the Rezidor stand was once again very busy and the exhibitor party a huge success. Please follow the link below for images and videos from this event. Read on for a round-up of regional news, including awards, achievements, and new appointments, as well the great events that have taken place over the last few months. We hope you enjoy reading the up-date. Whatever your plans are this hot summer, enjoy yourself and for those celebrating this holy month we wish you a Ramadan Kareem.
Until next time. Mark Willis
CONTENTS
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Launch of 4D Strategy Business Development Update Yes i Can! Star Home is where the heart is News Alert
LAUNCH OF 4D STRATEGY
You may have been hearing about the launch of our 4D Strategy which is now rolling out across the entire organisation. Simply, the 4D Strategy is a simple framework that has been designed to support our vision* and invites us to go beyond the obvious while focusing our attention on the core components of our business. It is made up four basic dimensions: Develop our Talent Delight our Guests Drive the Business Deliver Results
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So what does each of these mean? Taking these one at a time here are the areas of focus for each dimension: DEVELOP OUR TALENT • Attract and retain high calibre team members • Invest in team member competencies and talents • Drive a Performance and Talent Management culture • Recognise performance and ensure competitive compensation DELIGHT OUR GUESTS • Enhance and deliver the brands’ promises • Create and deliver “Bright Spots” • Rekindle the innovation culture • Rejuvenate Food & Drink DRIVE THE BUSINESS DRIVE REVENUES • Create and live a culture that maximises profitable Total Revenue • Ensure that our Revenue Generation engine embraces the shifting dynamics of the market place • Drive profitable Rooms and M&E Revenues • Drive profitable F&D and Other Revenues
Our Vision is ambitious – we want to be recognised as:
DRIVE COST OPTIMISATION • Embrace a culture of intelligent cost management • Increase operational flexibility and transform fixed into variable costs • Establish Procurement as a recognised value enhancer • Apply “FIT Logic” to improve business processes and deliver targeted savings DRIVE PROFITABLE GROWTH • Accelerate growth of our core brands in Emerging Markets • Establish critical mass in selected focus countries •P ursue growth in mature markets primarily through conversions •E xploit mid-market opportunities through Park Inn by Radisson •O ptimise fee based portfolio and secure pipeline
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DRIVE PORTFOLIO OPTIMISATION • Deleverage the company and drive EBITDA margin through pro-active portfolio management •O ptimise CAPEX spend while driving ROI and meeting obligations DELIVER RESULTS •D eliver compelling results for our hotel owners •M aximise shareholder value
• The most passionate team of hoteliers • Building outstanding loyalty by providing memorable experiences • Committing to attracting, developing and retaining talent • The most innovative and responsible organisation • Leading the industry in anticipating trends and responding to changing customer needs • Caring for our planet and acting in a sustainable way • The most dynamic hotel company in EMEA • Operating distinctive and market leading brands • Being the leader in the Nordics and emerging markets • The preferred hotel company to invest in and to do business with • Delivering consistent and compelling financial returns to our owners and shareholders • Valuing strong and long term relationships with all stakeholders
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
companies for meetings and events, we are happy to announce the addition of extensive conference, meetings and events facilities at our Radisson Blu hotels in Frankfurt, Germany and Alexandria, Egypt, both extensions set to open in 2014. Our Radisson Blu in Alexandria now boasts one of the largest conference spaces in Egypt and across the region, with over 4,000m² of meeting space. As we continue to focus on growth, we are pleased to announce new openings in the first half of 2013 across Europe to strengthen further our presence on the continent. New Radisson Blu hotels opened in Rosa Khutor in Russia, Dortmund, Germany, and in Gothenburg, Sweden at the beginning of the year. We also opened a 150-room Park Inn by Radisson at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to complement our successful Radisson Blu there. In Turkey, the signing of the Park Inn Istanbul Ataturk Airport will also be seen as a complement to our existing Radisson Blu in the vicinity of the airport once it opens. And we are also delighted to announce the recent opening of our fourth flagship in this destination, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Pera.
DEAR ALL, As we approach the summer holidays and the Ramadan season, we are delighted to give you an update on our business development activities across the Middle East and parts of Africa. The first half of 2013 saw our focus on emerging markets continue, particularly in this dynamic region.
Also amongst our recent openings is the Park Inn by Radisson opening in Glasgow’s hip city centre in Scotland, in addition to Radisson Blu hotels in Bremen, Germany, and a resort and spa in the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Alushta. In Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, another trendy Park Inn by Radisson was signed bringing the total number of hotels in operation and under development to five.
In other signings, more than 1,000 rooms In the Middle East, we continue to focus our in prime markets have been added to the growth on the efficient midmarket segment pipeline. These include countries such as with the signing of a 200-room Park Inn by Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. We wish you a pleasant summer season Radisson hotel in Bahrain’s Al Seef district, and a blessed Ramadan. Stay tuned for opening in 2015. Another Park Inn by the next quarterly update. Radisson hotel and residence was signed in Duqm, Oman’s upcoming industrial zone. Construction is advanced and the 120-unit All the best, hotel will be in operation in Q1 2014. In Elie Milky, Director Business Development, Dubai, which remains a focus area for the Middle East & Africa group, we are also pleased to announce the signing of Radisson Blu Residence, Elie Younes, Senior Vice President & Head Dubai Dry Docks in Dubai Marina. The of Group Development 243-unit serviced apartments will offer a fine, upscale product and will be opening its doors in the first half of 2015. Furthermore, in Q2, as we consolidate our position as one of the leading hotel
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YES I CAN! STAR NAME: Mohamed Abdel Gaber el Azhary JOB TITLE: Electrician Supervisor JOB TITLE: Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? I began my career in hospitality in February 2002 joining the Radisson Blu Resort Taba as an electrician. WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? My job entails supervising the electricity of the hotel and monitoring the hotel’s electricity utility. WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? I don’t have a specific part that I like the most. I like everything that my job entails because one thing completes another. IF YOU WERE MADE GM FOR A DAY WHAT WOULD YOU DO? I would try and solve as many problems as I can. This would be anything from employee problems to issues in the hotel and working towards achieving total guest satisfaction.
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WHAT’S THE MOST UNUSUAL THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU AT WORK? I was changing a light bulb at the side of the pool recently when I saw a four year old girl slip on the marble stairs and fall into the pool. Without thinking I just jumped in and pulled her to safety. I was of course fully clothed and had my phone in my pocket. Neither of which were damaged thankfully. The girl was absolutely fine afterwards. WHAT DOES THE YES I CAN! SPIRIT MEAN TO YOU? The Yes I Can! spirit means that I give the maximum effort to please guests , help and aid them with anything they might need. For me it means being able to achieve 100% guest satisfaction and having the feeling of being helpful for the guest as well as making sure they get the best treatment possible. IN YOUR SPARE TIME WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO? I don’t have much spare time, however whenever I can I like to read books.
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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS BY: HANNA MOGES Addis Ababa… the smiling and welcoming nature of its people makes it a unique place to be at. The city is known for its rich history and culture and if it is your first time in town I recommend having a guide. It is an eclectic city where the mix of the old and new is still apparent. Addis Ababa translates in English to “new flower” which is attributed to Empress Tiyetu, wife of the former Ethiopian ruler Emperor Meneilk II. The king and his entourage settled in this mountainous area in 1885 to take advantage of panoramic view of the whole city. At the top of the Entoto Hills, you will have a chance to see the Tiyetu Palace as well as the museum that holds many artefacts and clothes of both the Emperor and his Empress. I highly recommend including a visit to these hills in your travel itinerary to Addis should you wish to have an insight as to what the founders of this city saw when proclaiming it the new flower. Straight down from the steep hills you will find popular traditional souvenir shops at Shiro Meda. There you can see handmade traditional clothes, gold, silver and bronze jewellery all in one convenient place. This
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is a wonderful area where you can actually get the chance to experience the colourful and vibrant nature of the nation. On your way to Piazza the open jewellery street you will pass by numerous monuments and statue of Menelik II, the statue of the Lion of Judah, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, St. George Cathedral and as well as the Great Mosque. After you are done with your jewellery shopping you must try some of the best Italian serving dishes in one of the oldest Italian Restaurant in town called Castellie. The food there is absolutely amazing and it is a place to taste. The traditional coffee ceremony is an integral part of the social and cultural life of the people, and an invitation to attend a coffee ceremony is considered a mark of friendship or respect and is an excellent example of Ethiopian hospitality. I recommend that you to taste our world famous coffee at TOMOCA café located within the Radisson Blu Hotel along with a slice of chocolate cake. End your day by going to one of the popular traditional restaurants Habesha 2000 or Yod Abyssinia, where you will find and enjoy not only traditional dishes but
also live music performance and festive cultural dances that will have you jiving as good as the locals. The biggest open market in Africa “Merkato”, Menagesha Zoo 40 km from Addis, different traditional restaurants, malls, cinema house and the night life in Addis where you get a different view of the city are as appealing as the culture and tradition of the city. The weather in this city is as friendly and as bright as the people, so there is no need for air conditioning or heating systems. Even during the summer time after a heavy shower there is always the sun shining bright through.
NEWS ALERT EGYPT STAGES ROAD SHOW AND GALA DINNER Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis was the scene for one of the group's largest events when it hosted a road show and dinner for all Radisson Blu hotels and resorts throughout Egypt. Each hotel and resort was represented with its own booth and participants were given specially created road show passports with information for each of the seven booths which were then entered into a prize draw. Marco Descrozaille, Regional Director UAE, and Egypt, Jordan The Rezidor Hotel Group said: "This was a wonderful opportunity for our associates and their clients to get to know our properties and our thanks go to the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis for staging this wonderful event in such a spectacular way."
The Radisson Blu Cairo is known for its cuisine and after the road show guests were thrilled to move to the Cairo Ballroom for the buffet banquet which was accompanied by live entertainment and a DJ. Radisson Blu Cairo Heliopolis General Manager Ashraf Naguib said: “We were delighted to welcome all our friends and colleagues. This event provided the perfect opportunity for businesses to meet leading organisations and find out how we can assist the tourism sector and to show our appreciation for the tremendous support we receive from all of our clients, and our colleagues from the media. It was also an opportunity to showcase the Experience Meetings programme.“ said The Experience Meetings programme is a Carlson Rezidor initiative which recognises that perfect planning is essential to guarantee a successful business meeting. Experience Meetings harmonize the meeting essentials of breakout rooms, connectivity, food, service, satisfaction and sustainability.
EMPLOYEES RECOGNISED AT YES I CAN! CEREMONY With more than 65 years service between them five employees at Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah were honoured with pins presented by Wolfgang M. Neumann, President and CEO of Carlson Rezidor at the recent Yes I Can! ceremony held in Dubai. Special recognition went to credit manager Jamal Sharaf for a remarkable 30 years with the hotel. His colleague Salman from the maintenance department was also recognised for his 20 years of dedicated service. Three others picked up their first five year pins.
Invitees included public figures, along with travel, media and corporate guests.
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NEWS ALERT SHARJAH STEPS OUT FOR CHARITY Donning trainers and t-shirts the Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah recently sponsored and participated in a walkathon organised by Bee’ah, an environment and waste management company. The event was designed to create awareness of environmental issues on Earth Day.
RADISSON BLU RESORT SHARJAH VOTED SHARJAH’S LEADING HOTEL Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah has been awarded Sharjah’s Leading Hotel for the third time at the 2013 World Travel Awards held in Dubai. Widely regarded as the ultimate accolade for the travel and hospitality industry the World Travel Awards recognises and rewards excellence inspiring its practitioners to continually raise the standards of their product and service offering. “Given that we received this award based on votes by qualified executives working in the travel and tourism industry, we are honored with this acknowledgement by our peers,” said Basel Talal general manager Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah. “This is a valuable recognition of the efforts by our
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team to provide an unrivalled experience to our guests.” Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah enjoys a prime location close to the business districts, heritage sites and shopping areas. Its 306 sumptuous rooms, suites and poolside cabanas, flexible meeting rooms and private beach make it an ideal destination for business and leisure travellers. Founded in 1993, the World Travel Awards is a recognition and acknowledgement of excellence in products and services worldwide. An estimated 185,000 industry professionals from travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations from all around the world participated in the voting process that determined the winners.
NEWS ALERT SCTDA HONOURS RADISSON BLU RESORT SHARJAH WITH AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah has been awarded the Best 5-Star Hotel at Sharjah Tourism Excellence Award Ceremony organised by the Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).
“We have achieved this honour because of the perseverance, commitment and contributions of our team members,” said Basel Talal, General Manager Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah. “This award represents our success as a result of dedicated efforts and motivates us to continue achieving excellence.”
The Sharjah Tourism Excellence Award recognises the stars of Sharjah's tourism industry across various categories including the hospitality industry, supporters of SCTDA, shopping malls, tour guides, tourism features by local media, as well as an award of appreciation for establishments serving tourism sector in a professional capacity.
SCTDA was established in the year 1996 with the objective of promoting commercial and tourism activities in the Emirate of Sharjah. It uses all available means and different media to raise public awareness locally, regionally and internationally of the unique features Sharjah offers as an exceptional tourist destination.
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A GREEN THUMBS UP FOR THE RADISSON BLU HELIOPOLIS Living in a city comes at a cost to the environment and to offset this Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis spent a day recently planting trees and plants outside the hotel. Protecting the environment is something that the team at the hotel do as part of their day to day activities and employees are often seen saving waste and recycling paper.
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NEWS ALERT 2
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ADDIS ABABA WELCOMES DIGNITARIES AT 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AFRICAN UNION The Radisson Blu Hotel Addis Ababa welcomed a host of dignitaries and VIP guests as the country marked 50 years of the African Union.
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1) The President of Comoros H.E. Ikililou Dhoinine is welcomed by Christopher Pike, general manager Radisson Blu Hotel Addis Ababa
3) Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson-Miller and Christopher Pike, general manager Radisson Blu Hotel Addis Ababa
2) Former President of Mozambique H.E Joaquim Chissano and Christopher Pike, general manager Radisson Blu Hotel Addis Ababa
4) Former President of Ghana H.E. Jerry John Rawlings employees of the Vv restaurant and the Signature Bar
NEWS ALERT
CHEFS SHINE AT DUBAI BURJUMAN WORLD FOOD FEST 2013 More than 500 professional chefs from 65 of UAE’s finest hotels competed in 16 different categories at the second edition of ‘Treat’ the Burjuman World Fest 2013. Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek won 14 gold medals, 13 silver medals, 4 bronze medals as well as 3 certificates of merit, which is the best individual hotel achievement among all the hotel chains in the UAE. Chef Uwe Micheel, Director of Kitchens, and the team are delighted with this achievement and will continue to focus on achieving excellent results next year as well.
PARK INN MUSCAT RETAINS GREEN KEY STATUS Park Inn by Radisson Muscat has once again been awarded the Green Key making it three consecutive years in a row that they have held this certification Green Key® is a global eco-label for the leisure industry. In order to gain Green Key certification, hotels have to fulfill a list of environmental requirements covering a wide range of criteria, from environmental demands to demands on policy, availability of action plans, education and communication. Obtaining the Green Key shows the sense of responsibility an organisation commits to its surroundings and society.
EMPLOYEES COMPLETE FIRST AID TRAINING A total of 24 employees at Park Inn by Radisson Muscat recently underwent a comprehensive first aid training course to equip them with the knowledge and skills to manage a medical emergency. The training was conducted by Target Training Services through Medic First Aid International and participants were given instruction and practical training in CPR for adults and children.
The Park Inn by Radisson Muscat is an active participant in the preservation of local culture and an enthusiastic supporter of sustainable tourism. Their philosophy is that hotels should actively preserve local values and conduct themselves transparently and responsibly.
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NEWS ALERT PARK INN AL KHOBAR NAMED AS THE BEST 4-STAR HOTEL IN SAUDI ARABIA Park Inn by Radisson Al Khobar has been recognised as the best 4-star hotel in Saudi Arabia by the Saudi Excellence in Tourism Awards, fighting off competition from four other hotels. It is the third time the hotel has been honoured with this award winning the “Highly Commended - Best 4-Star Hotel” in 2011 and the “Best Mid –Market Hotel” in 2010. “We can say with immense pride that the Park Inn by Radisson Al Khobar is officially one of the best four-star hotels in Saudi Arabia and we are proud to have contributed significantly to the hospitality and tourism industry here,” said Nizam Bou Antoun general manager Park Inn by Radisson Al Khobar. “Our thanks go to all our guests and corporate clients for their continuous patronage and to my team for the excellent service they continue to provide.” The award ceremony, which took place at the Riyadh exhibition centre, was attended by more than 200 participants. It was staged under the supervision of
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the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and included more than 40 categories. The judging process began in March by the organising committee and was followed by online voting and then a detailed review of submission packs by the panel of specially selected, independent and international group of experts which included Dan Cross, Trip Advisor’s territory manager Middle East and Africa; Guy Kinson, executive director of Viability; and Martin Kobler, executive director of iConsult. GIVING HOPE, GIVING LIFE Libyan fundraiser for children with cancer, Giving Hope, Giving Life recently held an event at Radisson Blu Hotel Tripoli to raise money for the charity. More than 250 families enjoyed a host of games and activities around the pool area as well as snacks and drinks throughout the day. The organisation collected 70,000 LYD (54,000 USD) which will be used for local cancer patients in the Tripoli area.
6000 CAN RING PULLS AND COUNTING Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha has teamed up with Philippines based Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH), a non-profit organisation providing programmes and services for people with disabilities, to collect can ring pulls for charity. With every 3000 can ring pulls collected TWH are able to make one wheelchair for their charity. So far the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha has managed to collect over 6000 can ring pulls with more being collected. These can ring pulls will then be sent to the charity to enable them to make wheelchairs for the people they help to support. This is part of an ongoing initiative for the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha who will continue to support TWH.
NEWS ALERT RADISSON BLU HOTEL DOHA LEADS THE WAY WITH ISO CERTIFICATION Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha is proud to be the first hotel in Doha to receive the highly coveted ISO 22000:2005 certification. ISO 22000 is an internationally recognised standard for food safety management systems and the certification is both a prestigious achievement and demonstration of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha’s commitment to assuring safe food supply for their guests. RADISSON MUSCAT STRIKES GOLD In true Rezidor style the culinary team at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat worked together to take home the gold medal at the recent chef’s competition organised by National Hospitality Institute in Oman in association with the Oman Chefs Guild. The duo, Pathar Singh and Amira Hamed, were participants in the Mystery Basket Competition which required them to prepare an appetiser, main course and a dessert together.
wastage, presentation, taste and texture. “We are especially proud of our team coming from a smaller establishment. We usually find that the teams from the bigger hotels dominate these competitions in Oman, which makes this gold medal result so special for us,” said Marius Wolmarans, General Manager Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat.
CATHERINE ASHTON CHECKS IN TO CAIRO The Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis welcomed Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union, as well as Mr. Mohamed Kamel the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss Egypt’s current situation.
“We have always been known for our great food quality, this confirms how much we have to offer at the hotel. Special congratulations to Pathar Singh and Amira Hamed for bringing home the medals.”
The Ministry chose the Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo as the venue for this event due to its strategic location and its reputation in the market. Many issues were discussed and it was confirmed that the European Union would support Egypt during this difficult time. Quoting Ashton “We would like to see Egypt take a step forward towards a more prosperous future. We will do our best to help Egypt reach a brighter future.”
Beating off stiff competition from other hotels in Oman the team were awarded points on several criteria, which included recipes, hygiene, preparation, creativity,
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NEWS ALERT SAFE AND SECURE All hotels recognise the importance of having sufficient security measures in place to protect guests and employees. And while Dubai may be among one of the region’s safest cities, the need for vigilance and awareness remains a priority for general managers across the world. The Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina recently participated in Security Awareness Training by Dubai Police Academy becoming the first hotel in Dubai to be certified. The course, which has been designed specifically for hotel employees, has been described by Dubai Police as equipping the hospitality industry and its employees with “the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and combat potential security risks and criminal threats”. The award was presented by Lt. Col. Nasser Ibrahim Kazim, Director of International Centre for Security and Safety, Dubai Police Academy. “I am very happy that we took the initiative to undertake this training. The safety of our guests is always at the forefront of our minds and we believe this certification
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demonstrates our commitment to all those who stay with us,” said Rob Collier, General Manager Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina. WE RAN FOR TERRY FOX Employees of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City participated in the 4.2 km Terry Fox Run 2013 to support cancer research activities in the UAE and to further enhance the hotel’s commitment to responsible business. The Dubai Terry Fox Run is a familyoriented event where participants can walk, run, skateboard, scooter, rollerblade or use a wheel chair. Participants also enjoyed a fun-filled day with music and festivities at the event before the start of the run and refreshments along the way. “We strongly believe that responsible business is getting more and more important and therefore our team regularly participates in social activities concerning our community. We are proud to be part of such a wonderful activity to make an actual impact and support the cancer research facilities here in the UAE,” said François Galoisy, General Manager at the
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City. The story of Terry Fox is a story of determination, perseverance and hopeful optimism in the face of great adversity. He was an ordinary person who accomplished the extraordinary and thereby instilled in us the belief that we too can achieve our dreams, if we follow his example. All funds raised from this event go towards cancer research in the UAE. CERTO WELCOMES WORLD MICHELIN STAR CHEF ANTONELLA RICCI Certo Italian Restaurant became the culinary hot spot of the city recently when the well-known female Michelin star chef Antonella Ricci guest-starred at the restaurant. Ricci made Certo her home for three days spending time in the kitchen creating new menus and preparing Italian dishes with the hotel’s team of chefs. She was accompanied by Executive Chef Vinod Sookar as well as one of the best food and wine journalists in the world, Antonella Millarte. Originally from Ceglie Messapica in Salento (Puglia), Antonella Ricci is one of
NEWS ALERT the most awarded and well-known Italian chefs worldwide earning her Michelin Star in 1994. Being a food connoisseur runs in Antonella’s blood as her family owns and successfully runs the highly recommended restaurant "Al fornello da Ricci" in Puglia for the past 47 years. TRIPADVISOR HONOURS FOR MEDIA CITY The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City and its Italian restaurant Certo today announced that they have received the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the topperforming ten per cent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award. To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four, or higher, out of a possible five as reviewed by travellers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include
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the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months. “The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City is pleased to receive not only one, but two TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence for the hotel and our Italian restaurant Certo,” said François Galoisy, General Manager Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City. “We constantly strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.” “TripAdvisor is delighted to celebrate the success of businesses around the globe, from Sydney to Chicago, Sao Paulo to Rome, which are consistently offering TripAdvisor travellers a great customer experience,” said Alison Copus, Vice President of Marketing for TripAdvisor for Business. “The Certificate of Excellence award provides top performing establishments around the world the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most – their customers.”
DUBAI MEDIA CITY’S SALES AND MARKETING TEAM GETS A NEW LEAD The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City announces the appointment of Dany Cherfane as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than ten years experience in the hospitality industry and an extensive knowledge of the Middle Eastern corporate sales market, Dany joins the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group from the Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai where he was the Cluster Director of Sales - Corporate. Dany made his way to the hospitality industry in 2003, when he joined the Gefinor Rotana Hotel, Lebanon as a Sales Executive and quickly got promoted to Sales Manager of the same hotel in 2005. In 2007, Dany transferred to Rotana Hotels UAE and became the Assistant Director of Sales in Dubai and Northern Emirates. In 2011, he joined the Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai and the Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah as the Cluster Director of Sales – Corporate and joined the team of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City as Director of Sales & Marketing. Dany will be responsible for developing and coaching the sales executives and managers at the hotel and will strategically take the property to the next level in this competitive market place.
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NEWS ALERT AN UNUSUAL TOUR OF DUTY FOR BAHRAIN TEAM In a rare departure from their land-based activities, employees from the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel. Residence & Spa in Bahrain were given a guided tour of the British minesweeper ship, Quorn, based in Mina Salman port. The team, representing each department of the hotel were introduced to Lt Cdr Simon Kelly and given a tour of the top deck weapon systems navigating ladders between decks from the bridge to the operations room, the sickbay and the ship control centre. The Radisson Blu employees were thrilled to be visiting a warship and the interaction
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with the crew was a great opportunity for them to ask questions and learn more about the departments and training that the Royal Navy undertakes on a daily a basis. ‘’Being part of the Royal Navy is really prestigious but requires a lot of sacrifices. They have to leave their family behind while staying prepared for any circumstances related to minesweeping in unfamiliar surroundings,” said Hamood, reservations and visa officer at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa. Regardless of all the hard job and long hours of duty away from home, the team spirit of the HMS Quorn ship members was
the highlight of the trip. The entire crew demonstrated that team cohesion was the most important element to their job along with the ability to be able to work in harmony where private space is a luxury in addition to being away from their families for six months at a time. The Royal Navy maintains a permanent mine hunting force in the Gulf , currently Hunt-class Quorn and Atherstone and Sandowns HMS Ramsey and Shoreham, plus a mothership RFA Cardigan Bay, and a battle staff to direct their operations. The crew will head back to Portsmouth after summer for a well-earned break and say they hope their next mission will be in a country as friendly as Bahrain.
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