KUWAIT: 'TooMooH'which translates as 'Ambition' is a comprehensive, four tier, nationaldevelopment program focusing on the career advancement of fresh graduates,executives and leaders was launched recently in Kuwait by Millennium Hotels andResorts, MEA. The program aims to integrate GCC nationals into the boominghospitality sector and boost their presence in the job market. The internshipdevelopment program was recently launched in Saudi Arabia, Oman and UAE.
A pressconference was held at Millennium Hotel and Convention Center to officiallykick off the program in the country. Officials from Millennium Hotel andConvention Center, Copthorne Kuwait City, Al-Jahra Copthorne Hotel and Resort, MillenniumHotels and Resorts MEA, government officials and the media attended thepresentation.
As quoted by AliHamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President of Millennium Hotel and Resorts MEA, "Bylaunching TooMooH Development Program in Kuwait we have taken a progressivestep to ensure the development journey of all the participants towards theircareer aspirations, area strengths and development are without limitations.This also demonstrates that we are committed to moving towards job creation andretaining national colleagues."
Ahmed Serafi,General Manager, Millennium Hotel and Convention Center, said, "With theTooMooH program, we want to encourage Kuwaiti nationals to join the hospitalityindustry and contribute to the development of the tourism sector. Kuwait'shospitality industry is geared towards massive growth within the next fiveyears so we must attract Kuwaiti nationals into pursuing and developing acareer within this sector."
According toAlpen Capital's latest report on GCC Hospitality Industry 2018, Kuwait'shospitality market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1 percent (2017-2022) to$0.4 billion by 2022. International tourist visits are expected to grow at a5-year CAGR of 4.4 percent to 0.5 million whereas the hotel supply is expected togrow at a 5-year CAGR of 4.4 percent to approximately 10,112 hotel rooms.
Kuwait aims toattract 440,000 visitors by 2024 along with earmarking $1 billion to promotethe country during that period. The Government is actively diversifying fromthe oil-based economy and making substantial investments in the hospitality andtourism sector to boost its economy. A number of projects are expected to sharethe multi-billion dollar development budget such as the expansion of KuwaitInternational Airport which is expected to reach a handling capacity of 25million passengers annually by 2025 along with Madinat Al-Hareer (Silk City)and Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Islamic Center.
As part of theinitiative, the hotels in Kuwait will partner with the Labour Office and theMinistry of Commerce to spread the message about the program. All trainees willreceive comprehensive hands-on training in different aspects of the hospitalitybusiness so that they can join the industry, build a career and take upleadership roles.
Commenting on the'TooMooh' program, Hamed Elbata, Hotel Manager, Al-Jahra Copthorne Hotel andResort, "We encourage Kuwaiti Nationals to join this program that willenhance their skills and knowledge of the industry, so they can contribute tothe economy of their country." "The TooMooh initiative reflects thevision of Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA to have an active role in theinclusion and development of GCC nationals in the region's flourishinghospitality industry.
With propertraining, grooming and mentoring of local talents, we could change thelandscape and help create more jobs for Kuwaiti nationals and help them becomeleaders of the tourism industry," said Alaa Salim, General Manager,Copthorne Kuwait City. At Millennium Hotels and Resorts, MEA, we welcome allour national colleagues to be a part of this program and work towards theirprofessional career progression.