These days there is a lot of talk about Saudis entering the hospitality industry. It is no longer unusual to find Saudis working behind the front desk in a hotel or being taken on as a trainee in a restaurant chain. In Saudi Arabia, the boom years are over. With the difficult economic times in the Kingdom, young Saudis are now willing to accept jobs in the private sector, especially if they perceive that those jobs have the potential for growth.
Saad Mubarek Al-Braek is a Saudi familiar with the challenges faced by a young man looking to make his way in the world. After attending university for a few years, Al-Braek found that he simply wasn’t interested in continuing along the typical career path. He wanted to work but without a degree he had to look harder for someone who would give him a chance to prove his talents. His family was surprised when he told them that he had decided to accept an offer of employment with a local hotel. Back in 1996 this was a radical choice. Nevertheless, he could not be dissuaded and in April 1996, Al-Braek joined the accounting department at Le Gulf Meridien in Alkhobar.
“I found the hotel stimulating,” said Al-Braek. “It was interesting to work with people of many different nationalities. At first I had to struggle a lot because having a job was not like being in school. But by the end of my first year I made the transition. I was proud to tell everyone that I worked at Le Gulf Meridien. I believe that taking this job was the right option for me.”
Over a five-year period, Al-Braek had several positions in Le Gulf Meridien’s accounting department. Eventually he decided that he would like to try work that was more interactive with the hotel’s customers. An opening was found for him in the hotel’s sales and marketing department. Al-Braek became the representative for Le Gulf Meridien in all arrangements that involved government departments, major enterprises and the royal family. His appointment as the hotel’s public relations officer put him out in the limelight as a member of the Le Gulf Meridien’s management team. He has succeeded beyond all expectations.
In the spring of this year, Al-Braek was informed that he had been selected as the best employee at Le Gulf Meridien for 2001. In April, he flew to London to accept his award from Le Meridien Group’s CEO and to meet his colleagues from around the world who were being similarly honored.
Now back at home he is working harder than ever to advance his career. “Every three-four months we take some sort of training through the hotel,” said Al-Braek. “I am also trying to improve my English because this will make me even more valuable to the hotel. Yearly we are evaluated and our salary increments and other benefits depend on our performance. There is no time to slack off.”
Al-Braek is not the only Saudi employee at the hotel. Michael Nugent, general manager, Le Gulf Meridien, noted that the hotel management hired their first Saudi employee more than 13 years ago. As part of the Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Youth Training Program, this summer the hotel will be offering a special three-month internship for 10 students from Prince Sultan College in Abha. These students, who are being educated to take up careers in the hotel industry, will spend their internships rotating through every department in Le Gulf Meridien, getting an idea of what is required to manage a hotel successfully.
“It can be a shock to work on a multinational team,” explained Al-Braek. “Everyone is talking about training for jobs in tourism and the hospitality industry, but it takes time for young Saudis to understand the meaning of service and how to interface with people of many nationalities like we must here in the Kingdom. From my point of view, I always consider that I work for the hotel. If I want to grow in my job then I must be a team player and demonstrate that I can work with my colleagues and serve our guests.”
According to Al-Braek, because Saudis have traveled so much, they know what good service is and they demand it. He has found that government departments and large enterprises are very pleased to work with him because he understands their needs faster and there is no communication barrier. But while being a Saudi may get him in the door, it won’t win him the deal. Al-Braek has noticed that every enterprise and individual considers value for money now. He must be creative to finds ways to provide the extra value that will please them.
“Working in a hotel is not like holding down a typical desk job,” commented Al-Braek. “It is important to tailor our product to the needs of each client. I can’t provide such service sitting in my office. I have to go out and meet clients. I have to know what we can offer and then interface with each of our departments so the guest is pleased. Nothing is written in stone either. Guests frequently change their requirements even at the last moment. Maybe they need to upgrade their room. Perhaps they want different amenities. For special events I have to be on hand at all times and that can mean a 15-hour workday. I am pleased though with what I am doing and it’s certainly not boring. So I feel I am lucky.”
Al-Braek is especially happy this year because the hotel’s owners have taken customer suggestions to heart and invested funds in improvements. Le Gulf Meridien has recently opened its completely refurbished Le Café De Paris. The restaurant was designed by Pierre Yves Rochon in a luxurious contemporary Arabian style. Le Gulf Meridien has also just held its first function in its new multipurpose hall, which can accommodate 200 people and features state-of the-art multimedia equipment. It’s the only such facility available to the public in the Eastern Province.
“Clean rooms are essential but they are not enough to make a hotel a success,” said Al-Braek. “Our guests want to feel that they are coming to a hotel, which is constantly improving and offering the best. They also want excellent service. Do we provide that? All I can say is see for yourself. The next time you’re coming to Le Gulf Meridien, to get a taste of true Saudi hospitality, just ask for Saad Al-Braek, and I’ll be pleased to serve you!”