Gates Hospitality chief executive Naim Maadad Gates Hospitality chief executive Naim Maadad

Based on the findings of the Hotelier Middle East Salary Survey 2012, Gates Hospitality chief executive Naim Maadad says hoteliers in the region may see their roles in the industry as a side-gap... 

In Europe, Australia and the rest of the world, hospitality is taken as a career profession. This is why we find veterans who successfully pursue a long cherished career in the industry. People there do not see it as a side-gap arrangement to make money, or need to send money home.There is a much more serious approach to one’s career in the long-term perspective.


Another point is the recognition of education in the profession line globally. Those candidates with a hotel management degree or post graduate masters qualification should earn much more salary than those who have come up the ranks just through experience, not having any professional qualification as back-up. Recognition of merit is key to the industry and it should be financially recognised.

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Top management, such as area directors, general managers, executive committee members etc. should be rewarded based on top line revenues and GOP generated — over and above the basic salary and perks. This performance-based incentive approach will make them more accountable as well as motivated towards achieving targets and thereby drive successful business aspirations.


Apart from the above key factors, there will be non-financial inputs like training, cross exposure, management development programmes, online management courses as well as campus-based programmes (like those offered by Cornell University) which will help in career progression as well as land them in higher positions in their career — a long term plan to achieving excellence and lasting success in one’s chosen career in the hospitality industry.”