Fairmont The Palm a showcase for responsible luxury hospitality
Since joining Fairmont The Palm in 2022, you have implemented a strong culture of internal growth and leadership development. What strategies have been most effective in nurturing and promoting internal talent, and how do you see this shaping the future of the hotel's workforce?
At Fairmont The Palm, we believe that our people are the foundation of our success. Since joining in 2022, my focus has been on fostering a culture of growth, empowerment, and continuous learning. One of the key strategies has been the implementation of tailored training and development programmes, ensuring that our colleagues have access to the tools and resources necessary for career progression.
We have strengthened mentorship programmes, where experienced leaders guide emerging talent, and introduced cross-training opportunities to help employees diversify their skill sets.
Fairmont The Palm has made remarkable strides in people development, with 202 internal promotions. We have also increased the Employee Satisfaction at the hotel which is at 8.7 in 2024.
Your commitment to sustainability is evident in initiatives such as the Single Use Plastic (SUP) strategy and the renewal of the Green Key certification. How do these efforts align with Fairmont The Palm's long-term vision for responsible tourism, and what further sustainability initiatives can we expect in the coming years?
Sustainability is at the heart of Fairmont The Palm's long-term vision. Our Single Use Plastic (SUP) strategy, the renewal of our Green Key certification, and the recent achievement of the prestigious Gold Stamp Certification from DET — an accolade awarded to only a select few hotels in Dubai—demonstrate our unwavering commitment to responsible tourism.
We are proud to have achieved a remarkable 93 per cent score from the EHC audit, placing us among the top 5 Fairmont properties worldwide recognised by this reputable company. By embedding sustainability into our core business strategy, we aim to set new benchmarks for environmental stewardship within the hospitality industry, ensuring that Fairmont The Palm continues to lead the way in responsible luxury hospitality.
Under your leadership, Fairmont The Palm has achieved record-breaking financial milestones, including unprecedented GOP and strong RevPAR growth. What key factors have contributed to this success in a highly competitive market, and how do you plan to sustain this momentum?
Our financial achievements are the result of a well-balanced strategy that integrates operational excellence, market agility, and guest-centric innovation. Since 2022, we have achieved our highest Year-to-Date (YTD) Gross Operating Profit (GOP) since the hotel's opening in 2012, with a 65 per cent flow-through that exceeds industry benchmarks. Our RevPAR growth index reached almost 100, significantly enhancing our ranking in a highly competitive market.
In F&B, we exceeded expectations despite increased competition, achieving a revenue increase of Dh2.9 million. Moving forward, we will continue investing in technology-driven efficiencies, enhancing our digital marketing strategies.
The hotel has recently embarked on significant renovation projects, How will they elevate the guest experience, and what new offerings can visitors look forward to in 2025?
At Fairmont The Palm, we continually strive to elevate our guest experience, and our latest renovation projects reflect this unwavering commitment. The Dh15 million investment in Serenity – The Art of Well-Being spa has transformed it into a luxurious sanctuary offering holistic wellness treatments that seamlessly blend traditional techniques with modern therapies.
Since its reopening, the spa has earned numerous awards and achieved an impressive 80 per cent improvement in results compared to the previous year.
Fairmont The Palm continues to advance key renovation plans, including enhancing our all-day dining and beach concepts. Our commitment to culinary excellence has also been recognised, with Little Miss India, our Michelin Guide-recommended outlet, earning this accolade for the third consecutive year.
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Gulf Today
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- Gulf Today
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Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Al Etihad
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21 May 2025 23:07 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, visited the fourth edition of Make it in The Emirates 2025 Forum, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, from May 19 to forum highlights the UAE's advanced industrial capabilities and innovations, and its emergence as a global manufacturing hub, bringing together industry leaders, government entities, and the occasion, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said that the national industrial sector is a fundamental pillar of the UAE economy, and a key driver advancing its vision for greater diversification and noted that the Make it in The Emirates 2025 Forum reflects the UAE's commitment to building a competitive, technology-driven industrial base led by skilled national Hamdan added that guided by the visionary leadership of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE is pursuing ambitious goals to increase the industrial sector's share of GDP, enhance exports, and draw high-quality emphasised that the industrial sector is more than just an economic segment; it is fundamental to national sovereignty and the growth of human and technological Highness Sheikh Hamdan said that the annual forum affirms the UAE's readiness to lead industrially at both regional and global levels, backed by a clear vision, robust infrastructure, and extensive expertise, with public-private partnerships underpinning its industrial Highness Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET); Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDGE Highness Sheikh Hamdan toured the exhibition held on the sidelines of the forum, and was briefed on the crucial role of national industries in shaping the future of the UAE's industrial the tour, he also explored the latest smart solutions and technologies from Emirati companies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, energy, manufacturing, and real estate Hamdan visited a number of stands and pavilions including the Dubai pavilion managed by DET, which showcases the city's dynamic manufacturing sector. The Dubai pavilion serves as a central platform that brings together the emirate's key enablers of industrial growth, including Dubai Industrial City (DIC), National Industries Park (NIP), Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), Dubai Chambers, and Dubai Highness Sheikh Hamdan also stopped by the pavilions of the EDGE Group, International Holding Company, Micropolis Digital Development, Emaar Properties, Ducab, and the Advanced Technology Research Council's AI Centre. Make It In The Emirates 2025 is the UAE's flagship industrial event, designed to accelerate the country's manufacturing ambitions and position it as a global hub for industrial innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
