Over 4,000 candidates from around the world applied to Emaar Hospitality Group’s global talent competition which aims at finding passionate and young hospitality professionals.

The group of young professionals all below the age of 26 comprise graduates from top hotel and business schools with many having academic specialties in the areas of business, IT, engineering and science but are committed to looking for fulfilling, managerial positions with Emaar Hospitality Group.

Applicants come from countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Canada, USA, Australia, China, Singapore, India, France, UK, Portugal, South Africa, West African nations, Switzerland and The Netherlands, among others.

Young men and women applied for the coveted opportunity online by submitting a personal video message. Eight candidates are being shortlisted; they will be invited to Dubai in July for a one-week casting that combines traditional and innovative selection techniques, such as a putting together a performance at a high-end venue and multiple individual and team-based business simulations.

The short-listed candidates will be evaluated for their personality, creativity, innovative approaches and genuine passion for the industry. One candidate will emerge as the winner – the world’s greatest hospitality talent – who will undergo a three-year training under Emaar Hospitality Group’s senior leaders and work across the board to gain hands-on insights on corporate hospitality leadership.

Aseem Kapoor, corporate director of human resources at Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Our global talent scouting competition has enabled us to identify a pool of next generation skilled professionals who are passionate about the industry. With applicants from across the world, the talent scouting competition underlines our success as an organization that young professionals want to work for. As a homegrown Dubai-based company with an international focus, our commitment is to providing superior guest experiences and in this journey, we look forward to working with the brightest young talents.”