NEW RECRUIT: InterContinental Doha DOSM
Cyril Mouawad never dreamt of pursuing a career in hospitality, until taking part in work experience one summer and falling in love with the industry. After over a decade with IHG, he has just taken up the role as director of sales and marketing at InterContinental Doha in Qatar
What first attracted you to the hospitality industry?
When I was a young boy, I never really thought that I would one day work in the hospitality field. However, I carried out some work experience one summer, and I actually really enjoyed working in hospitality. This led to me later studying hotel management and tourism at Notre Dame university and since then, the world of hospitality became my career.
While at IHG, what marketing campaigns have you been most proud of?
I was fortunate enough to work in great properties. However, working at InterContinental Bahrain was a great experience, especially while completing the US $50 million renovation project that we led.
This huge project included rebranding the whole property and also included a comprehensive media and advertising plan to reposition the hotel on the market. This is exactly what we are currently working on at InterContinental Doha, especially with the rooms’ renovation project that will be completed soon.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
InterContinental Doha is considered the leading hotel of Doha, and it offers a great sanctuary in the middle of the city, blending the business experience with a leisure twist.
I am really looking forward to being able to strengthen the bonds that we have with our existing guests and clients, as well as starting to develop new business prospects and opportunities, and reinforcing our position in the local market as a food and beverage, and entertainment, hub located in the middle of Doha.
What are the new challenges you will face in the role?
Every destination has so much to offer, especially Qatar. It is the most dynamic country in the whole Arab region. I believe that focusing on the renovation and repositioning of the hotel, and our fast business development, then this will offer me great motivation to overcome any challenge which may arise.
What is your approach to online marketing campaigns?
I believe every product is to be promoted to a target audience and every audience has a different means to communicate through and online marketing is definitely one of them, so it must be taken into account in any campaign.
Where do you see yourself being in five years’ time?
Growing with InterContinental Hotels Group has proven to be successful and fruitful; I have just started at InterContinental Doha after 10 years with IHG, so my focus will be to add the further success of this property to my portfolio.
My goals
1 Delivering the financial results through a comprehensive strategic plan tackling all revenue taps with a key focus on the newly renovated rooms that will be ready at the beginning of 2013.
2 Development of my team members and their leadership skills, especially with the continuous growth of our chain. Acquiring and developing the right talents is extremely crucial.
3 Develop the synergy between IHG properties in Doha while working with my counterparts in the other two IHG properties in Qatar to benefit from the strong existence on the Doha market.
4 Work with all departments to deliver a great experience for guests while assuring that our brand initiatives, creativity and local authenticity are the main components in service delivery.
5 I believe that promoting the destination you are working in is a must, especially Doha since it has become a strong business hub in the region and the talk of so many leading countries.
my CV
March 1998 to June 2001: White Tower Hotel in Beirut, front office manager; September 2001 to May 2002: Eden Boutique Hotel in Beirut, sales and marketing manager; May 2002 to October 2006: Crowne Plaza Hotel Beirut, assistant director of sales; October 2006 to August 2009: InterContinental Mzaar Lebanon, director of sales and marketing; September 2009 to August 2012: InterContinental Regency Bahrain, director of sales and marketing.