Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi has thrown its full support behind the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA) by entering the hotel for recognition.
The award, which is an initiative of His Highness, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, was launched with the aim of giving a benchmark for achieving excellence to private and public sector organisations.
The fundamental concept of the award model is to provide the mechanisms to help organisations work alongside measures of excellence in achieving outstanding results, and, in turn help provide a boost to the economy.
Ali Salih, the hotel’s general manager, said that he has already implemented certain guidelines, as set out by the Award criteria and is witnessing tangible result.
“In participating, my team are already implementing new operating and services procedures which have received good feedback from guests – and I am confident this will add tangible value to all products and services offered by the hotel.
“If we were to go on and win, then the motivation that we are already experiencing will be swiftly accelerated, I am sure. However, we are truly just proud to be accepted for entry.” he said.
Salih shared that the decision to participate in this Award scheme came on the back of the many steps the hotel has taken to develop its products and services.
“Mafraq Hotel has recently witnessed a complete landscaping makeover allowing for recreational space and improved facilities to cater to its growing business and tourism clientele.
“In addition, we are working on a ‘superior’ room category; and just recently, we have introduced the high-speed wireless internet connectivity in all areas of the hotel, including rooms, reception, restaurants and pool area amongst others,” he added.
Salih said that over the last years, SKEA has contributed significantly to improved awareness of Quality and Excellence issues in the business community in the Emirates.
“The SKEA model is based on nine criteria all measuring excellence in different areas of products and services.
“At Mafraq Hotel, we are holding hands and working hard to win. However, by participating alone, we have seen a major boost in our performance which can only stand us in good stead to further enhance our competitive position in this busy and growing market,” concluded Salih.
Mafraq Hotel is managed by Danat Hotels & Resorts, a division of the National Corporation of Tourism & Hotels based in Abu Dhabi. Only ten minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi’s city centre and one hour from Dubai, Mafraq Hotel has long-since proven an ideal venue for mid-week meetings, seminars and multi-day conferences, and is a favoured weekend get-a-way.
Danat Hotels & Resorts, a division of the Abu Dhabi-based National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H), manages two five-star resorts, the Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna and the Al Raha Beach Hotel, as well as a cluster of four-star properties in the emirate, including Mafraq Hotel. The hotels are either owned and/or managed by the group, or where the group is the owner-representative.
The National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H) was formed in 1996 in response to the need to develop both tourism and commerce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially Abu Dhabi.
The Corporation was formed as a semi-government organisation. NCT&H’s primary objective is to promote Abu Dhabi as an international destination, manage hotels and provide transportation and industrial catering services.
