Marriott International has been named the "best hotel group employer" in the UAE at the first  Catererglobal.com Best Employers in Hospitality Awards 2011 UAE, sponsored by Hospitality Search International.

The awards were voted for by some 24,000 hotel professionals in the country, a statement said.

“We are so pleased to receive this award, particularly as it reflects feedback from our own employees,” said Gary Dodds, vice president, human resources, for Marriott International and Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for the Middle East & Africa.

“This award demonstrates the strength of our culture and our brands, as well as the leadership in our hotels,” Dodds said.

At a ceremony hosted by Catererglobal and attended by 160 hotel managers and human resource directors from leading hotels within the UAE, all eyes were on the final prize of the evening, as five giants of the hospitality industry contended for the award of best hotel group employer. In the end, Marriott International (including The Ritz-Carlton) triumphed ahead of Hilton Worldwide, Rotana Hotels, Jumeirah Group and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the statement said.

In individual hotel categories, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai emerged victorious in the Best Small Five-Star Employer, while the Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek was runner-up for Best Small 4-Star Hotel Employer.

Marriott International is represented in the UAE with eight hotels and five lodging brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments.  Another nine hotels are under construction in the UAE, set to open by 2014. – TradeArabia News Service