UAE Portrait of a Nation: Young manager gives hotel life five stars

AJMAN // Most people might shy away from the challenge of running a five-star hotel while still in their 20s. But not Kai Schukowski.

Last year the German landed the job of general manager of the Ajman Kempinski at only 29, a feat unheard of in the ­industry, especially in the UAE.

“About half the team were about twice my age,” he said.

“I had to get them behind me, not go in there trying to prove myself, aggressively. Nobody wants to be bossed around by a youngster who doesn’t have the track record yet.”

Taking over the reins of the emirate’s first luxury resort meant leaping into the deep end of hotel management, but being mentored by the company’s regional president helped to keep the pressure at a manageable level.

“It was quite a challenge but I said it’s swim or drown,” said Mr Schukowski, a graduate of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. “You’re never really ready for the next step. If you have doubts you won’t achieve, but if you see yourself doing it, and are humble, with a clear vision, people will follow you naturally, being passionate and engaging and coming with new ideas,” he said.

“People wondered how it was possible. People had not been food and beverage managers until they were about 50 or 60 years old so it was a surprise to many, but I was motivated to succeed.”

To this day, Mr Schukowski can be seen in the hotel lobby, greeting guests, mingling with staff and ensuring he stays connected with his team at all levels.

“For me, I’m nothing without the team.

“I’m just the conductor. I don’t know how to play the violin but I know the best song for the audience that evening,” he said.

Mr Schukowski arrived in Ajman just as the hotel industry was beginning to expand. The Kempinski now shares the Corniche with the Ajman Palace hotel, the Fairmont and Ajman Saray.

Despite joking that he is “married to his job”, Mr Schukowski is able make the most of his workplace with daily runs along the beach and easy access to ­water sports in his down time.

A job in hospitality comes with its fair share of unusual situations and characters. He has seen everything from Dh100,000 left in the lost and found to room-service bills of Dh10,000 for one night.

While his position would be seen by many as the pinnacle of a career in hotels, he believes mobility and flexibility to move to the next challenge is key.

“To succeed and grow in industry you have to move. Mobility is one of the fundamentals of the company. I will have to move eventually but so far, that’s to be confirmed.”

mswan@thenational.ae