Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, sailed ahead to win the best hotel group employer in the United Arab Emirates for the second year at Catererglobal.com’s Best Employers in Hospitality Awards 2012

At a lavish drinks reception with breath-taking fire eaters, Catererglobal.com welcomed 150 human resources directors and hotel managers from prominent hotels and restaurants, who enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The ceremony was hosted by Catererglobal.com’s sales director Peter Willis, and global account director Jeremy Vercoe. The guest speaker on the night was Assia Riccio –Smith, winner of the Savoy Gastronomes' Olive Barnett Award 2011 and the UK’s prestigious Acorn Awards.

Top employers recognised on the night were voted by their own employees in the UAE, and based on their responses the true winners of each category were determined via an employee engagement survey devised by talent specialists, Learnpurple. The awards were also kindly sponsored by industry supporters HSI (Hospitality Search International) and Glion Online (part of the Glion Institute).

To a resounding applause, Copthorne Dubai picked up the best four-star hotel (small) award, while the Hilton Al Ain scooped the best four-star hotel (large) trophy. And congratulations to the Cavalli Club Dubai, who won the coveted best restaurant employer award.

In the five-star awards, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai emerged victorious in the small hotel category for the second year running, whilst Le Meridien Dubai graciously accepted their win as best large five-star hotel.

As the six giants of the hospitality industry contended for the award of best hotel group employer, in the end, Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company triumphed victoriously again.

Gary Dodds, vice president of human resources at Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for Middle East and Africa said:
“The Best Employer in Hospitality 2012 UAE award validates the consistent investment the company makes in its leadership training and culture, and that clearly 'all’ of our managers at all levels across our various brands are ‘walking the talk’ in how they lead.  If they were not doing this, then our employees would not have the levels of satisfaction that has resulted in our winning this prestigious award for a second year in a row.”

Congratulations also to runners up Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt International, Rezidor Hotel Group, Millennium Copthorne Middle East and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, who also invested time and effort to gain feedback from their teams.

Peter Willis, sales director at Catererglobal.com, said:
“The first ever Best Employers in Hospitality Awards UAE in 2011 were a huge success and this year raised the bar even higher.  It is wonderful to see Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company remain consistent in their approach and win the Best Hotel Group Employer 2012.  They are clearly engaging employees and retaining talent which is great to see. I have a feeling next year will be even tougher with these excellent brands at the top.”
The awards full category list and winners are:
Best Restaurant Employer UAE 2012

• Cavalli Club Dubai

Best Small 4 Star Hotel Employer UAE 2012

• Copthorne Dubai

Best Large 4 Star Hotel Employer UAE 2012

• Hilton Al Ain

Best Small 5 Star Hotel Employer UAE 2012

• The Ritz-Carlton Dubai

Best Large 5 Star Hotel Employer UAE 2012

• Le Meridien Dubai

Best Hotel Group Employer UAE 2012

• Marriott International & The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company