Hilton Worldwide Middle East and Africa president Rudi Jagersbacher has scored the top spot in the Hotelier Middle East Power 50 2013.
Jagersbacher, who has held the senior regional role at Hilton Worldwide since January 2011, was recognized for the record growth he has achieved in the company’s pipeline.
In the Middle East and Africa, the company has 62 confirmed, upcoming properties— double the existing portfolio, with 80% of this in the Middle East specifically.
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In the past 12 months alone, Jagersbacher has signed 19 hotels — a first for Hilton Worldwide globally in that timescale.
Seven hotels have opened since the last edition of the Power 50 in September 2012, including Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, the launch of Hilton Worldwide’s luxury brand in the UAE.
Jagersbacher said this was a particularly proud moment.
“As we seek to introduce our luxury concept into the region, there was a particular highlight when we opened the UAE’s first Waldorf Astoria in Ras al Khaimah on August 1,” he told Hotelier Middle East.
“As one of the most famous and celebrated luxury hotel brands in the world, I was delighted to note we have seamlessly combined true Waldorf service, which is reminiscent of those core values of a pre-eminent luxury experience, with a range of specially tailored features to honor the best of Arabian culture. It was a proud moment.”
In addition to his achievements with regard to company growth, Jagersbacher was also celebrated for his approach to staff development and his involvement in CSR and charity campaigns.
He said: “By way of example I will lead our Global Week of Service initiative for MEA this October, which will see team members from across the region give something back. This initiative demonstrates our commitment “to filling the earth with light and warmth of hospitality”.
To read more about Jagersbacher’s achievements, click here.
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