Recruitment trips are still a large part of the hiring process, the hoteliers say. Recruitment trips are still a large part of the hiring process, the hoteliers say.

Being a general manager is the dream job for most hoteliers, but with such responsibility comes a plethora of challenges to navigate. With the Hotelier Middle East Great GM Debate fast approaching on September 2, we gathered an advisory panel of top hoteliers to discuss the key talking points likely to dominate the debate

Ahead of the fifth annual Hotelier Middle East Great GM Debate, which expects to welcome 200 general managers to Jumeirah Beach Hotel on September 2 for a day of discussion and networking, Hotelier gathered an advisory panel of top hoteliers to debate the key challenges and opportunities facing today’s GM.

The group comprised senior leaders from FRHI Hotels and Resorts and general managers from the prestigious Burj Al Arab, iconic Atlantis The Palm, sparklingly new Sofitel Dubai Downtown, and trendy independent Media One.

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Sami Nasser, SVP, operations, Middle East, Africa and India, FRHI Hotels and Resorts, proposed several topics to kick-start the debate, which focused on the all-important areas of performance management and benchmarking, leadership and development, staff training and retention, marketing and distribution, and reputation and social media.

Meet the Advisory Panel

- Sami Nasser, senior vice president, operations, Middle East, Africa and India, FRHI Hotels and Resorts
- Eddy Tannous, director, operations support, Middle East, Africa and India, FRHI Hotels and Resorts
- Klaus AssmaNn, general manager, Sofitel Dubai Downtown
- Heinrich Morio, general manager, Burj Al Arab
- Serge Zaalof, managing director and president, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
- Mark Lee, general manager, Media One Hotel Dubai

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