Holiday Inn Salmiya Information Magazine

A Messa" from # Hea$

Dear colleagues,

"Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you
will forget the pose, and then where are you?" (Fanny Brice)

Abed and Anita have been chasing me to write this commentary, however I waited
for this exact day. Today - the 13th of June - I completed my first year with
you, here in Kuwait. The feelings I have are mixed! I still feel that I am a
newcomer in Kuwait, yet when I look at each one of you, I feel I've known you
forever.

Together we have made Holiday Inn a better place for guests, colleagues and
owners alike. We talked and listened to the needs of all our stakeholders, and
we made changes in the areas that matter most to them.

To start with - the opening of both ballrooms - Amwaj and Al Dana and then
through the opening of Rainbow Kids Club, Sucre and Sakura Express. And not
forgetting the Holiday Inn Global relaunch. Holiday Inn Kuwait has made changes
everywhere and you can sense the change in the air. Together, in this very
short time, we brought to life all these projects, all the while maintaining
our focus on the comfort and satisfaction of our guests.

For our people - you - we delivered the promises that were made during the very
first month of my tenure here at Holiday Inn Kuwait. Starting with the full
renovation of our colleagues residence - including the addition of a new
laundry area in the second building, the creation of 2 common kitchens and the
upgrade of the entertainment area - to the opening of the Wheel lounge and
everything that goes in between. Upgrading the changing lockers, the re-launch
of the "Full Stop" Restaurant's menu and the introduction of the incentive
scheme.

I've been told that this is the first year that we have a clear direction for
PDP's and APDR's. Be it true or not - I urge and encourage you to take charge
of your personal development plan as I am a firm believer that each individual
is solely responsible for his career growth and the company provides you with
the means and tools to achieve your aspirations and dreams.

Our ESPS score has improved as a result of:- our commitment to you in providing
you with a safe, comfortable and top class working environment; and your
continuous fulfillment of our promise to guests in providing a wonderful
service that makes Holiday Inn Kuwait a great hotel that guests will love.
One area that we are still struggling with is the GSTS score. I hide no
feelings of my dissatisfaction from the latest results; however I have every
confidence that you will show the world who you truly are - the great people
that you are - and deliver a service that guests will definitely love. The
Chaine dinner was an example of how we can be different and special - the joke
around town is that guests will have to wait for another 11 months to enjoy
such a fine and impeccable dinner! In addition, I receive numerous letters
from guests praising you - sometimes by names - for the excellent job your are
doing.

The Bu Khamseen group have high expectations from Holiday Inn Kuwait as they
have invested millions of dollars in the extension program and with the
results we are showing, I can proudly assure you that we are - to a certain
extent - meeting their expectations. Yet, together, we will continue to drive
more to exceed their well deserved return on their investment.

The Summer has just started and we can feel the tension in the air as business
slows down and more pressure is on you to deliver even more of an exceptional
service. However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and together
we will walk out through the tunnel, winners, as is the case every year.

Last but not least, I would like to thank each one of you for your hard work,
commitment and dedication and would like to assure you that with the above we
are definitely aligned with the company culture and strategy. Indirectly, we
are working around the 4 quadrants of the IHG wheel - guest experience, our
people, financial returns and responsible business practices.

Once again, thank you and God Bless.

I wish you and your families a wonderful Summer holiday and look forward to
communicating more success stories with you in the next issue of IMag.

Ramy Haykal
General Manager
Holiday Inn Kuwait
 a i t ! !
.K uw
. n i y a
. . . Salm
W aka ay In
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H o
W it ’ s t im

It has been a while since our last issue. Well, as the saying goes “better late than never”.
I have been cranking up thinking of an apt cover story. With all the frenzy going around about FIFA,
cannot think of anything more apt and suitable for our latest issue.

The FIFA floodgates have opened, and for someone like me, who has no clue on the difference between
football and soccer, has no choice but to be consumed by the tides. I was up for a huge surprise, thinking
that football is a “boys game”, when my girlfriends, turned up sporting t-shirts of Kaka and Messi. It did
not end there, my son, who I thought until recently was a die hard cricket fan, seem to know the football
schedule like the back of his hand.

Well if you cannot beat them; then join them, I went about trying to understand this adrenalin flowing
crazy world of football. Have you ever asked a football fan to explain to you “why football”? After the initial
reaction of “Are you for real, which planet are you from!!!”, I was told about 11 players, forwards, goalie..
and SHAKIRA (?????).

I still don’t understand the nuance of the game, but I know two things about the game.

One being in today’s world where there is this huge division amongst humanity, football is a sport that
brings together, connects and engages cultures under one roof, just for the sheer love of the game. Ever
been to a pub showing a football match, there is no better showcase of brotherhood or sisterhood when
rooting for the same team (They could be arch enemies otherwise for all you know).

Another, like every sport in the world, it reinstates that it is as a team that you win championships. The 11
players together, are working towards one objective “to win”. It is not the forwards that win the match for
you, it’s an excellent coordinated teamwork of the captain, goalkeeper, defenders and midfielders with the
coach who make it happen.
Ever wondered what would happen to a game, if just one of these players did not have the same vision,
or if one of them decided that it is a one man show. Would they win the championship?

It does not stop just at football; being a part of any team working towards a common goal, be it at work, as
a family, anything. When you win, you win as a team and when you lose, you lose as a team.

As for me, I am going to go for a really easy option, I think Messi is really cute, so I’ll root for Argentina :D

Until the next issue, cheers to “THE BEAUTIFUL GAME”,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

EDITORIAL
Anita J. Lobo
 o u t
o w ab
t o k n
w a n t
o u A
A l l y
F I F

The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup or Soccer World Cup, but usually referred to
simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the men's national
teams of the members of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing
body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942
and 1946 when it was not contested because of World War II. The World Cup is the most widely-viewed
sporting event in the world, where an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 World
Cup held in Germany. The next World Cup will be held in South Africa, between 11 June and 11 July 2010, and
the 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil.

The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host
nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase,
which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the
tournament together with the host nation(s). During the 18 tournaments that have been held, seven nations have
won the title. Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times, and they are the only team to have played in
every tournament. Italy, the current champions, have won four titles, and Germany are next with three titles.
The other former champions are Uruguay, winners of the inaugural tournament, and Argentina, with two titles
each, and England and France, with one title each.
First World cup
Due to the success of the Olympic football tournaments, FIFA, with President Jules Rimet the driving force,
again started looking at staging its own international tournament outside of the Olympics. On 28 May 1928, the
FIFA Congress in Amsterdam decided to stage a world championship organised by FIFA. With Uruguay now
two-time official football world champions (as 1924 was the start of FIFA's professional era) and to celebrate
their centenary of independence in 1930, FIFA named Uruguay as the host country of the inaugural World Cup
tournament.

Expansion to 32 teams
The tournament was expanded to 24 teams in 1982, and then to 32 in 1998, allowing more teams from Africa,
Asia and North America to take part. In recent years, teams from these regions have enjoyed more success, and
those who have reached the quarter-finals include: Mexico, quarter-finalists in 1986; Cameroon, quarter-finalists
in 1990; Korea Republic, finishing in fourth place in 2002; and Senegal and USA, both quarter-finalists in 2002.
European and South American teams have remained the stronger forces; for example, the quarter-finalists in
2006 were all from Europe or South America.
198 nations attempted to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, while a record 204 countries entered
qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
 who will win FIFA 2010
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 a i t i n
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Its worthwhile to note that Kuwait had qualified for the World Cup in 1982 held in Spain. But Kuwait managed
to draw one match and lost the other two matches and thus were eliminated from the tournament.
Noted Kuwaiti football players.

Fathi Kamel Marzouq (born 1955) was one of Kuwait’s most talented players in the late 1970s and early
1980s. He helped Kuwait qualify to the world cup in 1982 by scoring a goal against New Zealand. Fathi also helped
Kuwait win the Asian cup in 1980. He was joint top-scorer at the 1976 AFC Asian Cup with three goals. He also
played for Kuwait at the 1980 Summer Olympics. It is said that Fathi would usually be on the bench (as a secret
weapon) and that whenever he warms up to play, the crowd cheers him loudly.
In Kuwait, it is said by old citizens that Fathi played in the Al Qadsiya vs Santos FC, which Al Qadsiya lost 2-1.
Pele played in the match as well.

Jasem Yacob
Jasem Yacob Sultan (born 25 October 1953) was a Kuwaiti football player from 1972 till 1982. He scored 34 goals
for his team. Sultan played for the Kuwait national football team at the 1980 Summer Olympics and 1982 FIFA
World Cup.

Abdullah Al-Buloushi
Abdullah Al-Buloushi (born 16 February 1960) is a Kuwaiti footballer. He played for Al Arabi and "Kuwait
national football team" Kuwait. He is famous for scoring a goal against France in the 1982 World Cup, the game
finished 4-1 for France. He also played for Kuwait at the 1980 Summer Olympics.

Jasem Al Huwaidi
Jasem Mohammed Ibrahim Al Huwaidi born 28 October 1972 in Kuwait City and is a retired Kuwaiti footballer.
He was part of the Kuwaiti national football team that came 24th in the FIFA ranking. He got a silver medal in the
Asain Games, won two Gulf Cups and came third in the Arab Cup. Al Houwaidi was awarded the world's top scorer
in 1998. He competed for Kuwait at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
 FIFA at the HI, Salmiya
Food and Beverage Department of
Holiday Inn, Salmiya has exciting
offers stacked up for all its guests as
part of FIFA World Cup. Some of
them being:

Mouthwatering World Cup Platter for

just KD 1.950!

Promotions in Food & Beverage Department as part of

FIFA 2010
All the 7 outlets have a new
Screens with projectors for
menu ready for celebrating
the live telecast of matches
FIFA!
would be displayed at Al-
Diwan and Ayam Zaman if
Fliers depicting the new menu,
the weather is favourable.
time table of matches, World
Cup Platter are all set for the
What’s more exciting is the
event.
50%discount on lunch and
25% discount on dinner at all
Tent cards depicting the new
outlets
menu would be displayed on the
tables at all outlets

The special offer from Sakura

awaiting all guests is the “Happy
Hours”. The Happy Hours would be 12
noon to 2 pm and 6 to 8 pm

In addition to this Sakura would be

offering all its guests buffet every
Friday and Saturday
 r s
ve
o
m & rs
k e
a
sh
 InRETROSPECT
GUESS WHAT WE DID??

Health drive

Blood drive
Special needs Nick Vujicic

Chaine
Dinner
 InRETROSPECT
GUESS WHAT WE DID??

Fire drills

es
iti
tiv
Ac
ol
Po

ts
or
Sp
 InRETROSPECT
GUESS WHAT WE DID??

Adious amigos
Hashem & Qassem

Abhi
 InRETROSPECT
GUESS WHAT WE DID??

n g n s
ini s s io
a Se
Tr
 n s
a tio
D e sti n
Malaysia
Malaysia was my furthest place to travel and the longest flying time I experienced in my life. My husband and I
planned to go there for our honeymoon. Not only was the capital city our main destination, but also Langkawi, the
island of dreams, which is a one hour trip by plane from Kuala Lumpur.

I flew with Emirates Airways on this journey and it was a night trip where I had to stop in Dubai for a couple of hours
and then off to Kuala Lumpur.

As I reached my destination, I was fascinated by the green sceneries and the marvelous landscapes this city had; this
all started while I was on my way to Traders hotel. I chose Traders Hotel as it is known to be one the most visited
hotel due to its location, service, facilities, staff, etc. That was true as I was highly greeted by all staff in the hotel the
moment I stepped into the reception area and not only this, but was welcomed by a bouquet of red roses the moment
they knew that I was newlywed.

I went to many places in Kuala Lumpur one of which is the PETRONAS Towers, which is rated as one of the best
attractions in the city. They’re known to be one of the tallest towers in the world. The views are not only amazing and
exciting, especially when they’re lit at night, and where you can see the entire city. Beneath those towers, there were
the best shopping malls ever with various brands from all around the world and not to forget all chains of restaurants
which were mouth watering.
I also visited the Aquaria KLCC which is known to be the 3rd largest fish park and under water sea world having
diverse types of fish and colors of aquatic life from all around the world. It was an amazing experience where I saw
the white shark dive with many other wild fish as such as the piranhas and turtles.

Gentling highlands is one of the best amusement parks I have ever been to which had many thrilling rides and suitable
for all age groups. It took me more than 8 hours of playing which by I only visited half of the outdoor games/rides as
it was heavily populated with people where I had stand in queue for certain rides. I wished I could have stayed longer,
but I didn’t have the chance as I was leaving the other day to Langkawi.

I couldn’t control my enthusiasm until I knew that the plane has hit Langkawi terminal and everything was greenish
all over the place and not to forget the clear blue sea. Langkawi is popular for having its white sandy beaches;
nevertheless draws thousands of visitors and tourists every year. This island was named Langkawi after the famous
eagle that is highly found in this place. As you enter Langkawi square, you will observe the big statue of the
big bird which represents the whole island. The island doesn’t concentrate on the night life as much as it does on the
tranquility and harmony of the couples there. I went through many pleasure trips one of which is the elephant
excursion, cable car, Crocodile Park, zoos, and many others.
I spent one of the most romantic
moments especially the sunset dinner,
where individual tables are set on the
beach side and was served with the best
sea food I have ever tasted in my life.

One of the most exciting attractions in

Langkawi is the mangrove tour.
Mangrove forest cruises takes tourists
through the limestone caves and expose
visitors to the various exotic wildlife that
live along the river. These cruises were
educational, and taught me about the
different purposes of mangroves, like the fact that they burn mangrove wood to create charcoal. It took me to an eagle
feeding session, where I was able to feed and interact with HYPERLINK "http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-
g298283-Langkawi_Kedah-Vacations.html" \o "Langkawi’s" Langkawi’s famous brown eagles. I also had lunch in
that old traditional restaurant situated in the middle of the waters.
Besides all of that, there were plenty of spas on Langkawi offering a variety of treatments from local Malay massage to
Thai massage and from body treatments to manicure and pedicures and top of all the foot massage. I had to choose one
place and I gladly chose ALUN ALUN SPA which was the most popular one. The experience was so relaxing and
extremely good as it made me forget all the tiresome I faced during my morning excursions.

I trust that I can fill up tens of pages if I wanted to go into each and every detail that I went through during this
wonderful trip, but I have highlighted the most important moments that I have went through during my trip to
Malaysia.

I totally recommend those who have not visited Malaysia yet to start arranging their plans for their next holiday
destination.
 r s
ve
mo & s
e r
a k
s h
Lazarus D’souza
When you pass through the Holiday Inn Salmiya, Kuwait, lobby, you will not miss a little guy, who is dutifully making
sure the ashtrays are clean, floors are shiny, tucking in the cushion, basically going about doing his job as sincerely as
possible without a fanfare. IMag took this opportunity of knowing a little more about our Movers and Shakers for this
month, Lazarus D’Souza.
Lazarus D’Souza, Lobby Attendant, comes from a small town called Udipi in an Indian city called Mangalore. He
joined Holiday Inn Salmiya, Kuwait in 2005, moving on from Crowne Plaza Kuwait, which he joined in 1999.

Excerpts from the Interview:

The beginning
“I come from a family of 8 children, 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Our family was poor, to make ends meet I had to move
to Bombay in 1970 at a very young age to find a job. I had a Uncle, who got me employed with a Parsi couple. My
first salary was Rs. 15.”

Education
“Mr. Firoz and Ms. Saroj Dalal treated me like a son. Besides giving me a job, they encouraged me take up night
school. I was very happy, this opportunity to me was more important than the salary that I was paid. I worked with
them for a year, after which Mr. Firoz passed away. The family had to move on, whereas I lost my job”.

Hotel World
“Mrs. Saroj, was kind enough to look after
me financially and provide me a job at a
restaurant called the “Ali Baba
Restaurant”. I started to work there in
1972, where I was taught guest contact”.

I worked over here until 1974 after which I joined Taj Group of Hotels. I joined as a temporary staff, working in
banquets. During my tenure there, I serviced a lot of hi-profile parties. My salary was 80 Rs. with food. After a
year, as temporary staff, I requested the Housekeeping supervisor to give me a permanent job. They transferred me
as a Room Attendant”.
Middle East
“ After working at the Taj Group of Hotels, I was still not made permanent. It frustrated me. In the mean time, one of
my friends mentioned to me about recruitment happening for a hotel called “Gulf Hotel” in Oman. The interview
session was in the Air India Building. When I saw the queue lined up for the job, it frightened me and I lost my
confidence but I had full faith in God”.

Change in Destiny
“I had applied for a vacancy in Room Service. During the
interview, I was asked two questions: “If there was VIP
guest, would you keep a used soap or replace it on daily
basis, which do you think is beneficial for a guest”,” I
replied saying that a guest is more important as he is the one
who makes the hotel”; the next questions was “ If a guest
had to ask you for information what would you do?; I
replied “ If I know the answer I would reply to it or else I
would ask my supervisor”. I was given the job but in
Housekeeping and accepted it as the will of God”.

Gulf Hotel, Oman

“I worked at the Gulf Hotel, Oman until 1987 under the leadership of Ms. Soriya who was the Executive
Housekeeper. I had to leave the job due to some family problems. One of the nicest thing Ms. Soriya did for me was
when she gave me two month holidays for my marriage in 1980 instead of the usual one month”.
Sheraton, Oman
“After I left for India, I was stranded there for over a year, because of family reason. Ms. Soraya, called me when
she joined the Sheraton, Oman. I joined the Sheraton in 1994 and worked there for 4 years. Under the new
Executive Housekeeper, Ms. Jenifer, I was offered to be a Supervisor position at the Beach Hotel, but again had to
leave due family reason.
Crowne Plaza Kuwait
Mr. Fred Saldanha was a colleague of mine at the Gulf Hotel Oman. After my stint with the Sheraton, I was again
jobless and he offered to take me to the Crowne Plaza Kuwait in the Housekeeping department.

Family
“I got married in 1980. When I left Gulf
Hotel, Oman in 1987, I had one son. I stayed
in India, for 1 and half year, during this time.
I had my second son. Ours was a arranged
marriage”. My elder one is into Hotel
Management whereas the younger one is a
mechanical engineer. My son loves to sing. I
am bathroom singer, so he has picked it up
from his mother.
Sports
I love football. In my younger days, I was absolutely crazy about the game and would never lose any opportunity to
play ball. I used to be a goalie. During one such game, I was injured on my rib cage and had to stop playing. My
favorite team is Brazil and I love Pele.

Chilling Out
On a holiday, I like to watch hindi movies and usually don’t
miss a show. My favorite movie star is Amitabh Bachhan
and Sharukh Khan. I also listen to a lot music, mostly to
Lata and Asha Mangeshkar. I love cooking. During my
stay in Mumbai, I used to work in a guest house, where I
learnt to cook different Indian dishes but my favorite is
Mangalorean food. I go to church on a holiday and make
it a point to go daily sometimes, usually very early in the
mornings.

What next…
I have built a home in Mangalore, which I am very proud of. I love to grow vegetables also. During my vacation, I
am either watering the plants or growing vegetables. In my little garden in Mangalore, I grow coconuts, mango,
cashew trees, lady fingers and all sorts of vegetables. We also have two cows in our house. I see myself taking care
of my house, vegetables and animals…..

……… All my colleagues from Holiday Inn Salmiya, Kuwait, who are like my second family are welcomed at anytime
to stay over at my house. I will make sure that they feel like they are in their very own home.

We don’t doubt that Lazarus.

 Room to be
yourself

Ruwan

Sachin

Abdalla
 Our very own football team
Hmmmm, do I
bet cash or
kind this time...

Did you hear the news.. We are Oh.. I better hurry then. Need
forming our own team for the to draw up a new policy!
FIFA

You think we could qualify as How come I always end up only in Can you read my palm and see if I
the team coach??? the comic session?? have any chances of being the
Mid-fielder???

Cheer Leaders.. Who us??? To buy the ball, I need three Whaaaatt.. Football, who said
Whaaaat... quotations before approving anything about football. We are
invoice getting ready for the next IPL

Hmmm.. I can have ze Cheerleaders,, Ohh hummm "Let

football academy in France. where,, who, when, how the games begin"..