Prime time for career move
JUDGING BY CURRENT expectations, the next five years could be a busy time for Hong Kong's hotel enterprises as new properties open and existing hotels expand their capacity.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the wave of new hotels will present golden opportunities for those keen to join the hospitality profession.
'With so many developments taking place, now is a prime time for those thinking of starting a career or those looking to make the next move up the career ladder,' said Scott Davies, general manager of the Accor-owned Novotel Citygate Hotel, which is due to open in April in Tung Chung.
Referring to his own hotel, the first 'new, purpose built' Accor-owned hotel to open in Hong Kong, Mr Davies said staff had been recruited from two areas. Several managers and supervisors had been seconded from within the Accor Group, while others had joined from local hospitality organisations.
'We have been very lucky when we look at the quality of the people we have been able to attract,' Mr Davies said.
Prior to recruiting, management carried out a salary survey to draw comparisons with other four-star hotels in the city.
The focus was on hiring the best people to operate and build a favourable reputation for the new hotel.
'Providing salaries are commensurate with market standards, I don't believe career-focused people join a hotel based on wages alone,' Mr Davies said.
However, Novotel Citygate has found it difficult to attract key staff in the area of sales and marketing.
'I believe this is a problem throughout the entire Hong Kong hospitality industry. In all other segments the quality and standards are very high but for some reason sales and marketing lags a little behind,' Mr Davies said.
The hotel is structuring its in-house staff training to cater to Disney visitors and business people using the Asia Expo convention and exhibition centre.
