Marhaba
Bernhard Haechler was the First General Manager of Shangri-La Dubai.
20th Anniversary message from Bernhard Haechler
Dear Colleagues,
It is amazing that Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai is already 20 years old. How quickly time has passed since the official opening in July 2003. It seems like yesterday!
I vividly recall the day, 21 years ago, in early April 2002, that I first arrived in Dubai as the pre-opening GM of Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. SLDB was to be the first Shangri-La Hotel in the Middle East region. All I had with me were 2 suitcases, a cell phone and a laptop computer. In addition to the SLIM team, the support of the owner, Mr. Obeid Al Jaber, as well as Mr. Ahmed Ramadan and the ROYA team, were crucial and helped me enormously. Without them, it would have been a much more difficult task. I am very grateful for the unwavering help and support they gaveme. The SLDB building was on level six when I arrived, and the building progressed quickly, up to one floor per week at times. Dubai was a completely different city at the time. The Dusit Hotel, on the opposite side of Sheikh Zayed highway, was the last building on that side. The remainder of that area, including the entire current Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall area, was just plain desert sand as far as the eye could see. At night, there was not even a flicker of light seen in that direction. How things have changed!
\ Getting to know the region, the history, the culture, the thinking, the sensitivities, the dos, and don’ts etc., was fascinating and a most enjoyable learning curve.
The ExCom members were selected and arrived periodically over the next few months. Our recruitment drive was soon in place, and we had the huge benefit of being able to recruit interested individuals from the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts around the world. Our recruitment teams interviewed every interested individual on the numerous recruitment trips, and shortlisted those who fully met our criteria. Where the interest from Shangri-La colleagues was low and where we needed colleagues from areas, we did not have hotels or resorts, we extensively advertised our recruitment drives and scheduled interview days. From the start of our recruitment process, our focus was to always employ passionate, exuberant, highly service oriented people, and this certainly paid huge dividends as the commitment to customer service from the 43 different nationalities of colleagues we ended up employing was exceptional. It also helped significantly with all our pre-opening training programs, as we had colleagues that truly wanted to learn, make a difference, and grow. One of our early colleague appointments was Shaaban Oraby, as Government Relations Manager, responsible for interacting with local Government for everything to do with Human Resources. Shaaban was instrumental in getting all the employment visas done for the large number of colleagues recruited internationally, and he always delivered. I am so pleased to learn that Shaaban is still atSLDB.
Our energetic and dedicated Training Department team ensured every arriving colleague was properly trained and comfortable with their responsibility, as well as having a very good understanding of Dubai, the UAE, how they were to fit into the bigger picture at SLDB, and that they were ready for the hotel opening.
The pre-opening period passed quickly, and we were soon a ‘soft -opening hotel’, which we launched with 2 completed floors of hotel rooms, Dunes Café, Lobby Lounge, Shang Palace, Hoi An, Balcony Bar, the Business Centre, the Meeting Rooms, Ballrooms, Health Club and Pool Deck. The official opening was on 3 July 2003.
The remainder of the hotel rooms, the Horizon Club, Presidential Suites, Serviced Apartments, Residences, and the remaining F&B outlets of Marrakesh and Amwaj were completed and added to the inventory over time thereafter. iKandy was a later addition.
It was not easy having the builders and various sub-contractors on site daily, whilst we were operating the hotel, as the inevitable noise impacted the guest experience. Nevertheless, we worked as closely as possible with the main contractor and limited the inconvenience to guests as best possible, knowing that the quicker the contractors were finished with their work, the better it was for everyone. Delays clearly would not help the intent. The hotel was completed six months later, and our undivided attention could be focused on the guest experience and ensuring customer loyalty. Winning the Business Traveler Magazine ‘Best New Business Hotel in the World’ in both 2003 and 2004 was very special. It makes me very happy to see there are still nine opening colleagues working at SLDB. Your commitment to SLDB is admirable and I thank you all very much for your tremendous dedication. These individuals include Shaaban Oraby referred to earlier; Yan Naing; Ruel Lopez; Putri Suastini; Sunil Krishnan; Melwyn Coutinho; Saw Sar Balu; Larry Castro and Antonio Dalapo. Congratulations on your 20 years of dedicated service to SLDB.
It was always a pleasure to also see how many of the opening colleagues have progressed to more senior positions at other Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, within the area as well as all over the world, and I am sure this has continued since. Well done, you all deserve your just rewards. SLDB has always managed to contribute many individuals to the recruitment needs of the company.
I spent a very enjoyable 11 years at SLDB, the longest I ever been at any one hotel in my career. It was a challenging, yet rewarding experience, particularly with the added VP responsibilities, and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead the SLDB and regional teams.
I wish you all continued success and I know you will keep the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai flag flying high. SLDB is a very special hotel, the result of the very special colleagues committed to its success.
SLDB and Dubai will always have a very special place in my heart. Although my wife and I have relocated from Cape Town to Brisbane, our periodic travels will still take us through Dubai, and I look forward to catching up on our next visit.
Kindest regards, Bernhard Haechler
Gerhard Hecker Our second General Manager continued to lead the hotel forward during his four year tenure in Dubai.
Hakan Ozel assumed responsibility in 2017. Since then, he has been setting new benchmarks by strengthening and elevating the luxury guest experience at Shangri-La Dubai.
TO BE THE BEST LOVED HOSPITALITY GROUP IN THE WORLD THROUGH PIONEERING NEW HORIZONS AND SETTING NEW BENCHMARKS
8th July 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of Shangri-La Dubai. First and foremost, my heartiest congratulations to all our colleagues: you have been creating an environment in the hotel to delight and excite our valuable guests through impeccable, sincere, helpful, caring, and thoughtful services straight from your hearts in Asian Hospitality manner while selflessly supporting each other every day in last 2 glorious decades.
In this journey, we have never felt alone: the precious support of our superiors in the Regional and Head Offices has always made us stronger and disciplined every day, many thanks to them for being an awesome support all the time. Our owners and asset management have been wonderful in every support they gave, our sincere thanks go to them for their trust in us.
It has always been exciting to be a witness to the growing tourism and hospitality industry in Dubai since we opened the hotel in 2003. Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has an ultimate vision to position Dubai as the world’s leading business hub and tourism destination. As such, we have always been, and will be proud of being a part of this vision as a landmark property in the Emirate. From the development of the world’s tallest building, the world’s biggest shopping mall, Dubai Frame, Dubai Marina, Palm Island, Museum of the Future till EXPO 2020 and countless of city happenings, it has been a great journey and we are looking forward to experiencing more in the decades ahead.
To remain relevant to business , we have renovated our guestrooms, hotel’s main lobby, lobby lounge, front desks, concierge desks and Shang Palace in recent years to be able to offer the finest products
and services to our guests. We have continuously followed the trends to cater to the needs of our guests and reflected them to our strong and stable business results - kudos to all of you!
Wewere witness to pandemic , as we went through a very challenging period like everyone did. We stood together strongly and passed this global challenge successfully.
Shangri-La Circle (SLC) has been launched in April 2022 and brought great excitement to all of us since it has been our only guest loyalty program in the Group . It has been gaining strong popularity
amongst our loyal guests and except my very sincere thanks for promoting it, enrolling new members, and using the program for the benefit of our Group.
“ Colleagues Development ” through strong cultural elements such as succession plan, Shangri-La Academy courses, senior leaders’ development programs, internal transfers and promotions have always
been on the top of our business plans and will be. There is no such excitement as seeing our colleagues growing in our family – Shangri-La Group.
We have always been committed to “ DoGood ” at Shangri-La Dubai. Sustainability has always been our core pillar of commitment, aligning with the values of our guests and creating
long term shareholder’s value. We have implemented variety of sustainability initiatives together such as eliminating the single use plastic in our hotel, replacing the single use plastic
water bottles with sustainable ones, strengthening our commitment to EDSA, water and energy saving, community engagement and volunteer services. Our commitment will continue
with more enthusiasm and dedication.
We are now strongly and passionately embracing the vision “ To be the Best Loved Hospitality Group in the World ” . We are investing our time, energy, and all kinds of capital to
make this vision happen. We have an uncompromising enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to our Group’s Beliefs, Do Good, Obsess Over Customer Experience, Own Our
Success, Compete To Win and Never Give Up , as we all have our own roles to contribute to furnish the future through our cultural values. Last 2 decades were very successful, now it
is again time to make history together through “ Pioneering New Horizons and Setting New Benchmarks. ”
Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary!
Yours sincerely,
Hakan Ozel,
General Manager
A few words from our General Manager.
20 years Service
Melwyn Coutinho - Purchasing Manager
1.What is your most memorable moment in Shangri- la Dubai ? There are many memorable moments during my 20 years of service, but the very special
moment was the final transition period on midnight of 7th July 2003 , where in Fidelio and Micros went on live from training mode, and being the Chief
Income Auditor, it was my responsibility to check on the transactions as and when it took place.
2. What has kept you working in Shangri- la Dubai for 20 years ? Well, it is the working environment, the colleagues, hotel management and the
challenges you come across and the motivation you receive . I have been lucky enough to work in various sections of the finance department. All these
factors have kept me working for Shangri-La Dubai.
Antonio Dalapo - Purchasing Executive
1.What is your most memorable moment in Shangri- la
Dubai?
When I first step inside the hotel on my first day and
everyone welcomed me like a celebrity 😊
2. What has kept you working in Shangri- la Dubai for 20
years?
This is my first job abroad and first time living away from
home. However, the moment I started working, I find my
Shangri-la, the same feeling when I’m with my family
backhome.
Protecting our legacy with a time capsule.
20 years anniversary colleagues' celebration
20 years Celebrations
What an extravagant celebration!! A defining moment both memorable and meaningful for our guests and colleagues. We couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for being part of our story.
Kudos to more timeless memories!
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