Tourism is booming in Singapore, with the industry contributing to 4% of our GDP. And as yet more wanderlusters flock to our island, it’s no wonder the hotel industry here is on the rise too.
If you love to meet new people and make others smile, consider snagging a role in well-known atas hotels such as the Hilton Singapore and Pan Pacific Singapore. Besides the rewards of good service, you’ll get to reap many perks as a staff member – hello free buffets, gym access and even overseas trips!
Here, we spill the beans on the hidden perks of working in the hotel industry that’ll make your friends seriously want to do your job.
Image adapted from: Hilton Hotels
If you’re a staycation addict, listen up. As a Hilton employee, you and your friends can score discounts on rooms of up to 50% off at Hilton hotels worldwide – how’s that for impressing your squad?
We’ve heard it’s all part of the Go Hilton Team Member programme, where employees can score special room rates for 30 nights per calendar year, get them for friends or family and even enjoy some neat F&B discounts.
Buffet meals are provided everyday with a changing menu!
At Marina Bay Sands, head underground to uncover the employees’ best kept secret: the staff canteen. This is no ordinary canteen where people go just to fuel up – more than 8,000 quality, piping hot meals are served to staff daily and includes Halal, Western and Chinese buffet lines.
From fresh fruit to salmon sashimi, the menu changes daily too, so you’ll never be tired of camping out at this hidden gem.
Image credit: Human Resources
Bonus: There’s also a salad bar, desserts and free-flow drinks – so you’ll definitely walk away with a happy tummy!
Image credit: Grand Prix Events
At The Fullerton Hotel, the management sure know how to reward their staff for their efforts.
During the FORMULA 1 Championships period, employees were supremely busy due to the high number of bookings. To combat that stress, staff were treated to massages, luxury bath amenities and free-flow energy drinks – all on the house.
Image credit: @angelawmlau
And at Novotel Singapore, during major events such as the Singapore Food and Wine Festival and the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival where room sales were off-the-charts, staff were rewarded with overseas trip to amazing places such as Maldives, London or Dubai!
If you’ve gained some pounds after lounging ‘round whole day in your office chair – it’s time to hit the gym. The folks at Ritz-Carlton knows how important it to keep fit in such a fast-paced industry, and so all employees can enjoy free access to their well-equipped staff gym!
How to be a barista 101.
At Novotel Singapore, you get to pick up tangible skills that will give you that much needed edge in the working world. From courses about cost and financial management, to communication skills, to hospitality skills – the company sends all staff for these courses that will take them far in the industry and beyond.
Image credit: TheOdysseyOnline
A large number of staff are sent to in-house Japanese language courses at the Hilton Singapore to make the growing number of Japanese guests feel at home – a move that showed the hotel chain’s willingness to adapt to its customers. Arigato!
At Marina Bay Sands,everyone’s part of an employee-only rewards programme that offers special discounts on MBS’s restaurants, shops and even exhibitions and performances.
Think discounts off selected shows at MasterCard Theatres or even at the many celebrity chef restos – some tender steak by CUT by Wolfgang Puck, please. And the cherry on top of it all: Marina Bay Sands Team Members can get up to 50% off spa treatments at Banyan Tree Spa!
BRB relaxing at Banyan Tree Spa.
Prince William and Kate Middleton being greeted by the GM of Raffles Hotel.
Image credit: Raffles Hotel & Resorts
Get up close and personal with royalty such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when you work at Raffles Hotel – the duo dropped by just a few years back. Tip: Even if you can’t help but fangirl or fanboy over them, remember to stay professional!
Gordon Ramsay at Marina Bay Sands
Image credit: School of Hospitality at ITE
Also, there’s no need to gawk at Gordon Ramsay on the TV screen anymore. Meet the man in the flesh when you work in Marina Bay Sands. Ramsay regularly drops by his resto Bread Street Kitchen – and even during other occasions such as the SG Hawker Heroes Challenge.
Other stars spotted include: David Beckham, David Foster, Melanie C and Vanness Wu!
You’ll also get a chance to meet other high-flying celebrities when they visit Singapore. From WTA Finals tennis stars to F1 drivers, MBS is no stranger to the rich-and-famous due to its 5-star status. Prepare your T-shirts and caps for signature time!
For internationally renowned hotels with chains overseas such as Royal Plaza on Scotts, Novotel, Hilton, IHG, Pan Pacific and Marriott, staff get to travel to destinations such as Paris and London. There, they’ll learn about how their sister branches around the world are run.
Yep, working in the hotel scene sure has its advantages. But it goes beyond employee perks – it’s a dynamic industry that’ll teach you skills that’ll last a lifetime. If you’re keen to make a career switch or explore this whole new world, enrolling in a degree in hospitality is the best way to start.
PSB Academy’s new campus is right in the heart of the city at Marina Square!
Head down to PSB Academy, which offers internationally recognised courses such as a Diploma in Global Hospitality.
Offered by the school of Business and Management, it’s a 15-month programme consisting of 8 main modules – these cover everything from learning French terms commonly used in the industry, to organising a conference from scratch by MICE association SACEOS.
Lest you think it’s all burying your nose in books, there’s a 6-month industrial attachment that’ll let you actually work in top hotels such as the Pan Pacific Singapore and The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.
With such a hands-on experience, you’ll step out with a strong foundation in hospitality operations and management – now, get ready to blaze some trails in the industry!
Next Course Intake: 20th November 2017.
Note: There are also intakes planned for April and October every year.
This post was brought to you by PSB Academy.
Quality doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag.
No need to head to Japan or Korea, China has pretty blooms too 🌸
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