Scaling Up AX Hotels: The HR Perspective

Joseanne Tanti, Human Resources Manager for AX Hotels, discusses the innovative recruitment and training strategies implemented by the HR team to prepare for the re-opening of the ODYCY hotel.

Over the past few years, AX Hotels has entered a new phase of growth and development, characterised by the development of several ambitious hotel and F&B projects, including the newly redeveloped ODYCY resort in Qawra. As a company with a strong reputation for delivering exceptional hospitality, we understand that the success of all our hospitality offerings ultimately depends on the calibre of the staff who work within them. Consequently, our HR team has been actively working on a proactive recruitment approach, utilising creative solutions to attract and onboard the right talent, despite the ongoing challenges faced by the local hospitality industry.

At AX Hotels, we take pride in our recruitment strategy that centres around a positive and fulfilling career journey for potential candidates from the very start. Our approach is to identify and attract candidates who share our passion for hospitality, possess the character traits required to excel in the industry, and are excited about building a long-term career with us. To overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and the limited local talent market, we proactively sought to recruit skilled professionals from leading international locations. By conducting targeted recruitment drives, we successfully attracted a diverse range of highly talented individuals with experience across a range of hotel departments, including operational, administrative, and managerial positions.

Naturally, recruitment is just one part of a successful hiring strategy. We also recognise that effective onboarding is key to building a strong team. This was especially crucial in the build-up to the re-opening of ODYCY to ensure that all our new recruits gel and feel integrated into the AX Hotels family. As many of our new hires were foreign nationals only just arriving in Malta, we also felt the need to create a comprehensive onboarding program that not only introduced them to their roles but also included cultural awareness training to foster a workplace that respects diversity. By embracing diversity, we believe we can create a more inclusive and successful workplace for everyone.

We also believe in taking a long-term approach with each of our employees from the outset. We understand that providing a supportive work environment is essential to fostering success and productivity in the long run. To this end, we provide our staff with comprehensive training and support to help them thrive in their roles and build fulfilling careers with us. Effective staff management entails striking a balance between the company’s objectives and the individual needs of our employees, with the ultimate goal of transforming groups of new hires into successful and harmonious teams who deliver on the AX Hotels’ promise for exceptional hospitality.

Our open-door policy encourages our employees to approach their managers with feedback and concerns, enabling them to share their experiences and ideas to enhance the overall employee experience. By valuing our staff and listening to their needs, we strive to create a workplace culture that motivates them to perform at their best so they can build fulfilling careers with us.

We also feel it’s important to acknowledge the unique qualities and motivations of each individual on our teams. We understand that some employees are more driven and passionate about their work than others, while different people hold different career aspirations. To support the diverse needs of our staff, we have tailored our approach to staff management and development accordingly. Our development programs are designed to assist employees in achieving their goals by actively listening to their needs and understanding what motivates them in both their work and personal lives. This enables us to support them in the right ways and to open their eyes to the countless job opportunities available through AX Hotels, so that they can flourish and enjoy fulfilling careers.

As we look ahead to the reopening of ODYCY, we are proud of the progress our teams have made so far. We recognise that our people are the cornerstone of our business and remain committed to their growth as we move forward. By cultivating talent and promoting a culture of teamwork and creativity, we are confident that we can continue to excel and set a new standard of hospitality excellence in Malta.