YoungHotelier.com makes the news!

Since it’s announcement a few weeks ago, YoungHotelier.com has made waves in the “Young” and dynamic part of our industry. From online news features to wonderful emails from hoteliers around the world, we’ve received much positive feedback and encouragement…just another reason to keep our efforts alike, kicking and moving to new levels with time. Here are some comments we’ve received lately…

The article (from ITP - Hotelier Magazine and published online on ArabianBusiness.com) 

Soon there will be no reason for hotel workers to feel alienated and alone in foreign countries, with a new online community set up to encourage learning and connectivity across the region.

YoungHotelier.com is the brainchild of founders Erin O’Neill, Jitendra ‘JJ’ Jain and Joynal Abedin, who are all currently working at properties in the United Arab Emirates.

“We had been discussing various ideas for the last few months, but the actual work only began a couple of months ago,” Jain said.

“In terms of distribution we are trying to leverage popular platforms that are already out there, because it is all about finding the stories from people in the industry.

“It’s about trying to learn the stories of the people that define the industry. We really care about these people, and we want to get the stories so that we can share them with others and learn from each other to highlight good leaders and good ideas.”

The website functions as a blog, with a focus on video interviews hosted by YouTube. YoungHoteliers also has a Facebook group which, despite a lack of publicity, already has more than 100 members in a couple of weeks.

“Ultimately our mission was to be a home to young hoteliers everywhere, and provide the sort of things you get from a home like support, gaining of knowledge and experience from others, gaining a family of hoteliers you can seek advice from worldwide,” O’Neill explained.

“We were quite selective with the word ‘young’ because we didn’t mean for people to be between the ages of 18 and 25 or anything like that. But what we are trying to achieve has nothing at all to do with your age, it’s the industry itself that is very youthful and vibrant.

“This industry is a very fun industry, and people are in it because they love it, not necessarily because it is the best paid industry!”

Jain said the site would not only help people already in the industry to connect and stay in touch with friends around the world, but it would also provide information for people thinking about entering the trade.

“There is a lot of misunderstanding about the industry. It looks very glitzy and glamorous from the outside, but we want to make sure the site portrays the industry accurately,” he explained. “We have a couple of signature questions [for interview subjects], including ‘what is your advice for people wanting to join the industry?’. And most of the time the answer is ‘it’s fun, but it’s hard work’ - which it is - so we want to make people aware of that.”

This is a great forum!
- Eamonn Casey, Marriott Hotels (YoungHotelier.com Feedback)

Good Exposure on Hotels-Online! Great initative & good luck with your efforts
- Raki Phillips, Area DOSM, Fairmont Dubai (YoungHotelier.com Feedback)

Dear Reader, I used to work with Mr.abden in Sheraton Jeddah & Makkah and I learn a lot off things from him. I finish my study in Engineering and I diced to stop to work in hotel industry and I get the offer as Surveyor Engineering in famous Consulting Company in middle east Katab& Alami. And I talk to Abden about my new offers he told the hotel industrial it is open carrier when day you will become GM in hotel but the tea boy in the bank he will not become GM. And continue in hotel line and I move from Sheraton to Rotana hotel as Room Service Manager. Mr.abden like sea every day you learn new things from him.
- Bahaeldin Konna, R/S Manager, Alsalam Rotana Hotel, Khartoum, Sudan (YoungHotelier.com Feedback)

Great work with the website young hotelier!!! Would love to contribute and be a part of it.
- Cherag Jhaveri, Cafe Coffee Day, India (By Email)

Dear Team, I have been trying to follow younghotelier.com. I am a very energetic young man and happy for what you have done. I haven’t been able to read thru much on the profile of young hotelier, could you send me material to read thru may e-mail. I would like to see what role I can play as quickly as I can,
- Charles Nkandu, Training Manager, InterContinental Lusaka (By Email)

I am very happy to see that a project like this is ongoing…it is a great ideas and will definitely help a lot of people…this business is all about people and the more you know, see people and share experiences the better it is for your future…”
- Guzman Muela, General Manager, InterContinental Al Ain Resort (In Person / Video Interview)

I am writing to congratulate you on this outstanding initiative which I will share with my team and networks. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to assist you in the future.
- James Young, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (By Email)

I viewed with great interest your work on younghotelier.com today.  Congrats to you and your colleagues on a wonderful intiative. After 26 years with Intercontinental I am far younger at heart then I am of age!  Since hospitality careers is my line of work, I would be more then happy to assist you and your team in an advisory capacity at any time.  Best of luck with your initiative.
- James P Manley, Vice President, Americas, Talent Acquisition, InterContinental Hotels Group (By Email)

Hi team, This is something new and marvellous, keep going well done.
-Anjum Khan, CP Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (YoungHotelier.com Feedback)

Erin, Joynal, and JJ, Well done on the website, it is a great idea.
- Dermot Herlihy (YoungHotelier.com Feedback)

Hey guys! Just been on the website and love what you’re doing!
- Sarah Kling, Istanbul, Turkey (on Facebook)

Love checking this network and seeing more members everyday. Cant believe that only just over 2 weeks ago it was set up on Facebook and it is growing so much. Everyone keep on the invites, lets build this network..
- Mark Mc Sorley, Hyatt Hotels, UK (on Facebook)

Lots more to come! The site has also been featured on various online news networks and blogs… just type in “young hotelier” on Google for the latest features. We would love to hear from you too - use the feedback form at www.younghotelier.com/feedback or just send us an email at team (at) younghotelier (dot) com!