Sridharam Murugesan Honored as Hospitality Rising Star of the Year Commended at the Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards 2024
Sridharam’s gained a reputation for providing outstanding customer service by upholding the highest standards of care.
Sridharam Murugesan, Concierge Supervisor at Palace Dubai Creek Harbour, has been recognized as the Hospitality Rising Star of the Year Commended at the Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards 2024 for his exceptional guest service and management contributions. La Laundry presented the award to Sridharam. With over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, primarily in India and the UAE, Sridharam has significantly impacted by ensuring seamless guest experiences from pre-arrival to post-stay.
Sridharam’s career journey began at Chelsea Plaza Hotel Dubai, where he honed his skills in guest service as a Concierge/Receptionist. His responsibilities included handling guest queries, meeting and greeting guests, organizing valet services, and ensuring the tidiness of public areas. His ability to maintain the highest standards of customer care earned him a reputation for exceptional service.
Moving on to The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah, Sridharam served as Lead Concierge, overseeing the day-to-day operations of 15 colleagues across the Concierge, Bellman, and Valet departments. He was instrumental in implementing new service standards, such as WhatsApp communication for guest queries and dedicated concierge business cards to enhance guest experiences. His leadership was recognized with the CEO Award in 2022 for his outstanding contribution to business and guest satisfaction.
At Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Sridharam excelled as a Concierge Supervisor, pivoting in establishing brand standards during the resort’s pre-opening phase. His responsibilities included developing LSOPs for various teams, creating bespoke guest packages, and conducting mock internal LQA audits to maintain high service standards. His cross-cultural communication skills were crucial in effectively managing guests from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that their unique needs were met with precision.
Sridharam’s role at Emaar Hospitality Group as Concierge Coach further solidified his reputation as a guest-centric specialist. His work involved leading a team and mentoring colleagues to deliver exceptional guest experiences. His effective communication skills and ability to resolve complaints made him a key player in ensuring guest loyalty and satisfaction. Sridharam’s experience across different roles and settings has equipped him with a deep understanding of guest expectations and a keen ability to exceed them.
In his current role at Palace Dubai Creek Harbour, Sridharam continues to set new standards in guest service. His efforts to introduce innovative guest interaction tools, such as QR code-based activity listings and a digital guest feedback system, have significantly enhanced the guest experience. Sridharam’s proactive approach to guest complaints, ensuring they are resolved swiftly and effectively, has built a loyal clientele base for the resort.
Sridharam’s commitment to ongoing professional development is reflected in his ability to anticipate guests’ needs and provide solutions that meet and exceed expectations. His leadership extends beyond the concierge desk, focusing on training and mentoring his team to achieve service excellence aligned with operational standards.
Meela Seenarain
Dubai, United Arab Emirates UAE