Exceeding Expectations in Tourism: Hajar Jeljalane’s Story

Agadir – When millions of tourists fly to Morocco, Marrakech almost always tops their list of places to visit in the North African country. Before border closures, the Red City enjoyed a continuous annual increase of visitors.

Marrakech is a strategic hub to visit other regions, such as the Sahara and High Atlas Mountains. The Red City is also a perfect ecosystem of adventure in itself.

Marrakech has numerous historical sites, cuisine offerings for every budget and palate, an elaborate medina (old city) to explore, and plentiful authentic Moroccan culture and traditions to take in. The immense tourism industry serves the full scope of tourists’ accommodation needs from hostels to five-star hotels.

The city’s service awards and accolades are immeasurable. One recognition particularly stands out: Front Desk Ambassador at the Royal Mansour Marrakech, Hajar Jeljalane, is set to compete in the upcoming “2022 World’s Best Receptionist” contest.

Moroccan women in tourism

While the tourism field usually employs at least five percent of the entire nation, visitors may skip over the gender imbalances Oxfam quantified in a recent report about gender disparities in Morocco’s labor market.

Travelers may never see a single woman in rural regions, other than from a glance into an open kitchen door. Meanwhile, the highest government position in tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social Economy, is occupied by a woman — Fatim-Zahra Ammor.

In more urban areas, such as Marrakech, women oversaturate jobs in tourism but in the lowest-paid positions. Taking a closer look into tourism operations, there are fewer women in higher and well-paying positions. The Royal Mansour Marrakech is among those fixing such gaps.

At the five-star luxury hotel, there are plenty of female employees, including in senior positions. Hajar Jeljalane, the first to greet guests in reception, is among the most exceptional women in Morocco’s tourism sector.

Jeljalane says she is a good fit for the Royal Mansour because of her confidence. It is this characteristic that drives her “dedication to go above and beyond for our guests.” The same drive to “be the best of what I am doing” will take her to Baden, Germany, for the competition this spring.

Serving luxuriously

The Royal Mansour hired Jeljalane in 2019 and has been instrumental in Jeljalane’s success. The luxury hotel has received countless awards, including #1 Hotel Africa by Condé Nast Traveler 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards, #1 Hotel North Africa Afrique by Travel and Leisure World’s Best Awards 2020 and, even in these difficult times, its Grand Riad was recognized as “Elite Traveler Number 1 Top Suite in the World 2022.”

Before the Royal Mansour, Jeljalane says that “being in the tourism sector was a personal conviction.” Some of her family members were already working in the industry when Jeljalane entered the field as a receptionist in 2015.

What sets Jeljalane’s “dream come true” experience apart at the Royal Mansour is not just their comprehensive training but also the people she is surrounded by. She constantly learns from the staff’s “professionals who have years of experience in the luxury hotel industry from all around the world.”

Jeljalane has found a shared spirit to “develop ourselves” among staff. She says of her co-workers that they “bring out the best in you and guide you to be the best version of yourself.”

Proud tourism employees who support each other to maintain non-toxic, rewarding work environments find travel reviewers giving praise and multiple stars to such luxury accommodation and service.

Even with the current state of tourism, Jeljalane has no plans to change fields. In five years, she sees herself as a director of rooms and also plans to mentor others “who love this job.”

A quick pro-tip Jeljalane offers Morocco World News readers is that “success is not something you attain without putting in any effort. Be committed, learn from others, think positive, be passionate, and don’t forget to have fun along the way.”