REVEALED: Past winners of the Hotelier Power 50

As Hotelier Middle East prepares to announce this year’s Power 50 list of the most influential hotelier’s in the Middle East, we take a look back at the people who previously topped our distinguished list:

2009

Selim El Zyr, co-founder, president and CEO, Rotana

In the inaugural Power 50, the top ranking hotelier was Rotana co-founder, president and CEO Selim El Zyr. That year, Rotana had achieved significant expansion in Abu Dhabi and signed a deal with Shuaa Capital Saudi Arabia to open 17 hotels in the country. The total portfolio at the time stood at 67 hotels; it is now up to 93 properties operating and upcoming, and this year, El Zyr ranked sixth in the Power 50.

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2010

HE Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority

The Power 50 2010 celebrated the achievements of HE Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, director general of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, who made leaps and bounds in developing and promoting the UAE capital’s tourism potential. Following the first Abu Dhabi F1, Al Muhairi smashed guest targets, expanded the authority’s overseas outreach and reinforced its commitment to sustainable tourism.

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2011

Guido De Wilde, senior vice president and regional director, Starwood Middle East

Starwood Middle East senior vice president and regional director Guido De Wilde stepped into the top spot in 2011 following six years heading up the group in the region. He was recognised for his role in bringing Starwood’s top tier St. Regis brand to the Middle East and for an agreement with Omran to bring the W, Westin and Element brands to Muscat, as well as for increasing total revenues across the hotels over the previous year.

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2012

Gerald Lawless, president and group CEO, Jumeirah Group

Jumeirah Group president and group CEO, Gerald Lawless, a man almost synonymous with the remarkable growth of Dubai’s luxury hotel business, was named number one in the Power 50 2012. He was recognised for the phenomenal growth he had driven in Jumeirah Group’s portfolio from 2011-2012, which he took from 10 to 21 hotels. Not only did he establish Jumeirah on the world map, but Dubai as a luxury destination.