Abdelfattah Mohammed, outlet manager, Oasis Café – Danat Al Ain Resort reveals all to Hotel News Middle East…
What’s the best thing about your job? The best thing about my job is getting the chance to entertain guests of different cultures. Talking to them and making sure they are comfortable and from these conversations, I learn so much from their culture and this gives me the opportunity to widen my knowledge and insight.
What made you choose this role? One of my passions is to make people happy and with my current role I got to do that. I want to make sure that our guests are happy the minute they step into our hotel, when they are happy we are sure that they will come back and will speak well about their experience.
What do you do when you’re not working? When I get free time I make sure that I spend it with my family and close friends.
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever received in the workplace? Treat people as you want them to treat you. We want to make sure that we treat guests the way we want to be treated when we stay in other properties. It’s like inviting guests to your home and you give them a warm welcome and let them feel comfortable because I want to feel the same way when other people invite me to their homes.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I want to see myself in a position where I can advise and help my colleagues from my experience under the role of director of F&B.
Tell us something that none of your colleagues know about you? I’m fond of fixing electronics; this is actually my tension reliever.
If you could stay in any hotel in the world right now, where would you go? Definitely the Maldives, I would like to spend a quiet time in the middle of the sea, enjoying the sea breeze and the calmness of nature, not thinking of the stress and problems of life. Just for pure enjoyment and relaxation.
Can you tell us why you wanted to join this industry? I love challenges this makes my life exciting and in the hotel industry everyday is a challenge. You have to satisfy guests and inspire people under you and so on.
What would you say to anyone who is starting out in your sector? Be patient and always show your willingness to learn and be committed to your job because when you are committed to your job it means you enjoy what you’re doing.
What’s the worst thing about your job? When there are things or requests that we can’t provide to our guests. This is very rare but when it happens, it feels that we did not give 100% to our guests.
What’s your favourite book? Anything by Alex Ferguson.
If you invited guests round for dinner what would you make? I would love them to try my own version of Arabic Mix grill.
What song instantly gets you on the dance floor? Rihanna’s music works for me.
