The Wonder Women of MENA: Accor Group’s Julia Schamne
Julia Schamne, Cluster General Manager Mercure, Ibis Styles, and Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Deira
Julia Schamne is a seasoned hospitality professional who currently serves as the Cluster General Manager of three prestigious Accor properties in the Deira Enrichment Project; ibis Styles Dubai Deira, Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Deira, and the upcoming Mercure Dubai Deira.
Over the course of her career, Julia accumulated a wealth of knowledge in the hospitality industry across four continents, having worked with established brands such as Kempinski, JA Resorts & Hotels, Radisson, SLH. Notably, she is fluent in five languages, further enhancing her ability to connect with diverse audiences and contribute to the success of the properties under her management.
In 2015, Julia joined Sofitel Abu Dhabi where she became an integral part of the prestigious Accor group and has since then remained a part of the Accor group hotels. Over the years, she continued to rise through the ranks, reaching her current position as Cluster General Manager.
Julia’s impressive track record speaks volumes about her capabilities. She achieved remarkable success by opening the first Adagio branded aparthotel on Palm Jumeirah and her outstanding performance in this endeavor earned her recognition among over 350 General Managers in the IMEAT region. Her achievement led to her promotion to her current position of Cluster General Manager, a testament to Julia’s ability to consistently exceed targets and drive results.
Beyond her managerial prowess, Julia has played a pivotal role in implementing the global Accor sustainability initiative in the cluster hotels. Her dedication to environmental responsibility is evident through the many impactful measure taken such as reducing wastage in the F&B departments and using sustainable materials across all departments.
Within her role, Julia also leads a female empowerment program at Accor and is the Regional Riise Champion spearheading Accor’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. She has organized successful events on this topic and is passionate about inclusion which is evident in her current team consisting of 40% women in leadership roles across the cluster and 16 different nationalities.
Julia’s leadership philosophy centers around collaboration, empowerment, and attention to detail. She has the ability to shape work environments, set overarching strategies, and cultivate her team’s growth ensuring that her properties operate efficiently and effectively, delivering exceptional experiences to guests.
Julia is not only a distinguished hotelier but also a mother of two boys. Her remarkable journey is a testament to her belief that one can successfully balance family and career aspirations. She is determined to pave the way for other women to follow their dreams in the hospitality industry.
About her thoughts for the industry
As a seasoned leader in the field, thoughts on the industry revolve around three central themes: people, sustainability, and female leadership.
Emphasising the paramount importance of people in the hospitality sector, we need to highlight the significance of recruitment, retention, as well as diversity and inclusion. As General Manager, when recruiting, the focus lies not just on qualifications, but on character, willingness to learn, and a genuine passion for the industry. This emphasis on the ‘Heartists,’ referring to employees at Accor, forms the backbone of recruitment strategy. By investing in continuous learning and development programs, we cultivate a pipeline of ambitious and motivated individuals. At our hotels, we place a strong emphasis on employee well-being and work-life balance, acknowledging the stress often associated with the hospitality profession. There is a big shift going through the hospitality industry since a study showed, hoteliers are the next most stressed employees after neurosurgeons. We focus on leaders as coaches, focusing on strength-based leadership and review and reassess our internal processes, to ensure we get the best out of our team, so they can give the best to our guests.
When it comes to catering for guests, we underscore the importance of personalisation, localisation, and sustainability. We strive to create meaningful connections with guests through storytelling and memorable experiences. Additionally, there is a growing trend and need to offer lean, healthy food options while prioritising sustainability and minimising negative impact on the environmental. Digital connectivity and marketing are also key focus areas, reflecting the industry’s evolving consumer preferences and behavior.
That brings us to sustainability – it is a huge industry trend, and guests seek for sustainability efforts when choosing where they spend their money. This topic is also personally a critical concern, hotels need to invest in eco-friendly practices, such as conserving water, energy, and reducing waste. Guest education plays a crucial role in fostering a mindset shift towards sustainability. Initiatives like eliminating single-use plastics and reconsidering traditional practices demonstrate the hotel’s commitment to protecting the environment.
Lastly, there is also a focus in advocating for greater female representation in leadership roles. Diversity and inclusion are central tenets of Mercure Dubai Deira’s ethos, and the hotel actively seeks to empower women in the workplace. As part of broader industry trends, female leadership will continue to be a key focus area in 2024 and beyond.
Overall, we are heading towards more forward-thinking strategies employed by Mercure Dubai Deira to navigate the dynamic landscape of the MENA hospitality industry. Through a holistic approach that prioritises people, sustainability, and diversity, the hotel aims to not only meet but exceed the evolving expectations of guests and employees alike.