For Anna Katrina Galsim Vivero, working in the hospitality industry in the UAE for nearly a decade has allowed her to grow professionally and personally. Her expertise in the field includes sales and marketing, liaising with clients, and providing them with a variety of hotel accommodations.
Her journey in her chosen field began when she arrived in the UAE nine years ago and worked as a receptionist for Ivory Hotel Apartment in Abu Dhabi. After gaining experience and skills, she was able to secure a job with Gromaxx Hotels Management, which has a long-term partnership with the largest international hotel chain, Wyndham. She started working as a cluster assistant to the sales manager (corporate) in the same hotel. Due to her significant contributions to the organization, she was consistently promoted until she became the organization’s cluster assistant to sales director. She provides insight into their marketing goals and room revenue.
“I enjoy working with the management team to come up with new ways to boost income and meet our sales goals,” she said.
Facing numerous challenges
When she arrived in the UAE, she realized that an OFW life is not easy. First, she struggled to find a suitable job. Due to cultural differences, it was difficult for her to adjust at first. She took it as a personal challenge to learn about the culture of the people in the UAE. Anna adjusted by exerting effort to interact with non-Filipinos so that she could put herself in their shoes and better understand them.
She also recalled leaving the Philippines for financial reasons. She realized that too many Filipinos were struggling to secure a job, so she took matters into her own hands and tried her luck in the UAE.
“I think that was one of the best decisions that I’ve made so far,” she said.
She chose Abu Dhabi because of its expanding economy.
Although she has been staying in the capital for nearly a decade now, she intends to stay longer as she is already attached to the country.
“I want to spend the rest of my life here, not just for me, but also for my family, especially my children,” she said.
“To all my kababayans in the UAE, I would like to encourage you to have strength and believe in yourself. There are a lot of Filipinos who have already been successful in this country. You just need to exert an effort to prove your worth,” Anna added.