Hospitality
Seasonal Staffing in UAE Hospitality: The Future is Flexible


As tourism in the UAE becomes more competitive and year-round, hotels are rethinking how they build their teams. Seasonal staffing in UAE hospitality is no longer just a trend—it’s a structural shift that is redefining how hotels operate.
To explore this further, we spoke with Nikhil Nanda, Director at Innovations Group, who shared deep insights into today’s hiring landscape and how flexibility is reshaping the future of hospitality staffing.
A Hiring Surge Driven by Flexibility
According to Nikhil, hiring in UAE hospitality has surged, not only in terms of volume but also in how staffing is structured. Cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen a wave of new hotel openings. As a result, there’s greater demand for flexible, short-term staffing models.
For instance, during high seasons, hotels increasingly rely on part-time or seasonal workers to manage peaks in occupancy. This allows them to scale up without committing to long-term overheads, which is especially useful in today’s fluctuating market.
Back-of-House Roles Are Booming
Additionally, there’s been a dramatic rise in back-of-house hiring, particularly in areas like housekeeping, cleaning, and lifeguarding. Over the past five years, this segment has seen a 70% increase, driven by both operational needs and the UAE’s emergence as a year-round tourist destination.
While summer used to be quieter, changing travel trends mean hotels must now stay fully staffed—even in the hottest months.
ical.
Smarter Sourcing, Global Talent
To meet this rising demand, hospitality employers are now tapping into global talent pools. Nikhil notes an uptick in sourcing from Eastern Europe, East Asia, Kazakhstan, and several African nations. These regions provide diverse, English-speaking candidates who bring both reliability and adaptability.
Furthermore, companies are getting smarter about employee retention. Initiatives such as cultural training, flexible shifts, and engagement programs are now common. These strategies are not just perks—they’re essential to keeping talent motivated and loyal.
“Today’s workforce is looking for more than pay—they’re looking for purpose, respect, and a healthy work culture,” says Nikhil.
How Innovations Group Powers High-Volume Hospitality Hiring
Through Innovations Group, Nikhil and his team offer targeted, flexible staffing solutions for hotels and resorts across the UAE.
Their services include:
- High-volume staffing for hotel openings
- Monthly, seasonal, or project-based contracts
- A ready-to-deploy talent pool with hospitality experience
- Global recruitment through trusted sourcing networks
Importantly, their speed and scalability give hotels the agility to adapt in real time—something that is crucial in today’s dynamic market.
“We’re not just filling roles—we’re helping hotels stay ahead,” Nikhil emphasizes.
For more on this, check out Digital Magazine Hospitality – The Integrator
Hospitality
Viva Italia! Future Hospitality Summit World showcases Italy’s new golden age of tourism with exclusive Country Pavilion

The Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World is unveiling a wealth of investment opportunities in Italy’s hospitality sector, with an exclusive pavilion showcasing the country’s new golden age of tourism.
The Italy Pavilion, on show at FHS World, Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, 27-29 October, will highlight the growth, evolution and future goals of the country’s hospitality and tourism sector, which is gearing up for a surge in lifestyle and boutique developments, heritage renovations, wellness retreats and sustainability-focussed offerings over the next 3-5 years.
Investor confidence in Italy has been boosted by a robust rebound of international tourism, with record arrivals over the last two years. Overnight stays reached 458.4 million in 2024, with overseas visitors accounting for more than half of them, making Italy the second most popular tourism destination in Europe, after Spain. Italy is seeing the fastest growth among major European destinations.
Marco G. Malacrida, Italia Hospitality founder, said: “Italy’s incredible – and historic – hospitality sector performance last year has created a virtuous circle, with increased demand fueling more investment, which in turn enables Italy to offer increasingly sophisticated hospitality products. The country is seen as a safe haven for capital and a dynamic, growing market that delivers long-term returns, particularly in projects that focus on sustainability, innovation, and premium, experience-led tourism. At FHS World, we will showcase how strong tourism demand, high-spending visitors and year-round appeal – backed by a government and tourist board commitment to facilitate investment, promote sustainability and enhance infrastructure – make Italy a solid choice for investors looking to create financial returns and a cultural impact.”

While luxury remains a cornerstone of Italy’s hospitality and tourism sector, lifestyle hotels, resorts and unique offerings in emerging Italian destinations and lesser-known regions are seeing the most dynamic growth. Investors are discovering the potential of places beyond traditional destinations such Rome, Florence and Milan, and shifting their focus to regions from Abruzzo to Sicily, Puglia to Piedmont, and Umbria to the Dolomites. There is also huge potential in turning Italy’s historical villas, monasteries and palaces into hospitality icons, while adventure, sports, arts, music and gastronomy tourism are also expanding rapidly.
With investors and travellers increasingly favouring destinations that respect the environment, support local communities and create long term value, Italy is also spotlighting sustainability as a key pillar of its future tourism strategy.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of the Bench, organiser of FHS World, said: “Italy is open and ready for investment, and we are delighted to help facilitate that investment with our exclusive Italy Pavilion at FHS World. Demand, diversification and discovery in Italy’s hospitality and tourism sector are creating exciting opportunities to become part of the country’s future – and to play a role in realising the country’s economic, tourism and sustainability goals. Viva Italia!”
The FHS World Italy Pavilion is one of four country-focused stands at the event, with the Maldives, Albania and the Philippines also featured.
Visit futurehospitality.com/world/country-pavilions for more details, and Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) | Homepage for all things FHS World.
Hospitality
NANDO’S UAE JUST GOT SAUCIER WITH NEW WINGS AND BOTTOMLESS TUESDAYS!

There’s something new on the grill at Nando’s UAE, and it’s set to turn up the flavour. The brand has unveiled its all-new Saucy Wings, available in two bold flavours, Honey & Soy and Spicy Brown Sugar, bringing a fresh twist and a little extra fun to Nando’s flame-grilled classics. Launching alongside is Bottomless Wing Tuesdays, a new midweek ritual that invites guests to add unlimited wings, and unlimited flavour, to their week.
The new Saucy Wings take a familiar favourite and turn it up a notch. Honey & Soy glazes each wing in smooth, savoury sweetness, while Spicy Brown Sugar delivers deeper caramelised heat with a gentle kick. Both are flame-grilled to perfection, coated generously, and made for sharing, comfort food that’s simple, bold, and unmistakably Nando’s.
Every Tuesday from 11 AM to 6 PM, diners can dig into Bottomless Wing Tuesdays and enjoy unlimited wings for one hour at AED 80. Running for a limited time from October 21st to November 18th, it’s perfect for flavourful catch-ups and easy midweek gatherings – turning an ordinary lunch or early dinner into something worth talking about.
“We wanted to bring something new, but in a way that still feels unmistakably Nando’s,” says George Kunnapally, Managing Director at Nando’s UAE. “Saucy Wings take something everyone already loves and give it a fresh twist – familiar, but more expressive. And with Bottomless Tuesdays, we’re creating an experience that’s all about sharing good food, good flavour, and a bit of fun.”
With its flame-grilled roots and unmistakable PERi-PERi spirit, Nando’s continues to evolve its menu while staying true to what it does best, food that’s honest, flavourful, and made to share.
Hospitality
MICHELIN-STARRED KONJIKI HOTOTOGISU INTRODUCES TWO NEW SIGNATURE RAMEN

The famed Tokyo ramen atelier Konjiki Hototogisu, led by Chef Yamamoto, is excited to introduce two brand-new signature ramen in Dubai, Duck Shoyu Ramen and Chicken Edamame Wonton Ramen. These additions mark a new chapter in the brand’s journey of blending Japanese craftsmanship with Dubai’s evolving dining scene.
Handpicked by Chef Yamamoto-san following strong guest demand, the two new ramen dishes continue the brand’s commitment to authentic, artfully balanced flavours.
The Duck Shoyu Ramen presents a deeply layered broth made with duck and Japanese dashi, complemented by mushroom fig sauce and truffle pistachio sauce, and finished with tender duck chashu. It showcases the chef’s meticulous attention to flavour and texture, offering a bowl that feels indulgent yet refined. In contrast, the Chicken Edamame Wonton Ramen brings a gentler harmony of flavours, combining a cloudy chicken and scallop broth with basil paste, edamame and rolled chicken chashu. Light yet satisfying, it offers a comforting warmth that highlights Konjiki’s ability to create depth even in simplicity.
Chef Yamamoto-san recently visited Dubai to mark the official opening of the new Palm Jumeirah Mall branch, located on Level 1, a milestone moment for the Michelin-recognised ramen house as it continues to expand Tokyo’s celebrated ramen culture across the UAE. The new restaurant builds on the success of Konjiki Hototogisu’s Mall of the Emirates branch, which has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand in both 2024 and 2025.
The Palm Jumeirah Mall location reflects Konjiki’s dedication to precision and authenticity, translated into a welcoming setting that mirrors the artistry of every bowl. Guests can expect a dining experience rooted in Japanese culinary philosophy while embracing Dubai’s growing appetite for quality and creativity in gastronomy.
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