Hospitality as a professional career option in China is still relatively new. The resulting lack of qualified professionals to satisfy the growing demands of hotels meant that, of the 1,600 new hotels that opened in 2014, over 100,000 mid-management or above job opportunities went unfulfilled. This made up close to 40% of all potential hotel management positions in China last year.
Niccolo, a new brand from Marco Polo Hotels, believes that to attract the right people it has to extend its emphasis on positive customer experience to the talent acquisition process. The hotel has begun a Grand Recruitment program for its opening in Chengdu that is equal part professional and pizzazz.
The 750 Candidates who attended the event in November 2014 expecting a typical job fair were treated to a red-carpet entrance, professional stylists and make-up artists, photo-shoots, yoga sessions to soothe nerves and personal greetings from Andrew Abram, General Manager of Niccolo Chengdu. Entertainment in the form of traditional Sichuan “Kung-fu” tea-making and sugar artistry, as well as a panda mascot ensuring a jovial atmosphere kept the candidates relaxed as they awaited their chances to showcase themselves to the Niccolo HR executives.
Andrew Abram, General Manager, Niccolo Chengdu, explained, “We wanted to ensure all guests that took the time to visit us had an opportunity to feel and understand what Niccolo reflected as a brand, the emphasis on the welcome and how our visitors were made to feel like individuals was critically important.”
“This is not simply about recruitment. This is about understanding people’s aspirations and values, and how Niccolo can assist them in the realisation of this stage of their life. Candidates and ultimately colleagues must genuinely feel valued and cherished, because that is the environment we must create for our guests.”
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
