Six years ago, Hotelier Middle East began chronicling the exploits of the most powerful individuals in the industry with its first Power 50.
Since then, the region has recovered from a financial crisis, seen a return to strong growth in the hospitality sector and welcomed in a new era of mega projects.
Over the following pages, we look back on who has topped the Power 50 in our previous five editions.
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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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