FLASHBACK: 50 most powerful Middle East hoteliers
The 2014 Hotelier Middle East Power 50, presented by Parasol International, was dedicated purely to hotel operators, just as it was last year. This means that ownership and consultancy merits were not largely considered in the judging process, while managerial and personal achievements formed the basis of our decision-making.
This year’s list highlighted those hoteliers that were working hard to set and maintain the highest standards in their operational properties, as well as those securing deals to expand their companies’ portfolios throughout the GCC, Levant and Egypt.
While some of the hoteliers profiled founded local companies, others moved up the ranks in global organisations to take on senior executive roles and had become the key driving forces behind brand development in the region.
However, it should be noted that additional weighting was given to locally founded companies since, while often smaller in size, these are particularly significant to the development of the Middle East hotel industry and sometimes, to its reputation overseas as well.
Individuals within those companies that were most established in the region were also more likely to be ranked highly, while those from international companies that had newly emerged in the region may have been lower down in the list.
However, we do expect to see these individuals rise further up the scale in years to come as their companies’ Middle East portfolios grow.
We also acknowledged companies that were spearheading the latest industry trends in the region, such as expansion and development of mid-market and long-stay brands, as well as sustainability initiatives and the latest social media and digital innovations.
Each and every hotelier in our Power 50 list had garnered years of hospitality industry experience, developed an in depth knowledge and understanding of the Middle East hospitality industry, and has made a significant impact on their current company.
This may be in terms of implementing effective training initiatives, establishing new operational solutions, or for their involvement in bringing new F&B concepts to the region, among a variety of other factors. Personal achievements were also taken into consideration, as were leadership qualities demonstrated through awards and staff recognition.
Above all, it was important to note that the rankings were subjective and the opinion of the Hotelier Middle East team. All of our decisions were based on information that we were supplied by the hotel companies included on the list, along with information collated from news stories and interviews conducted over the past 12 months.
Continue to the next page to find out more about the Top 10 most powerful hoteliers in the Middle East...
The top 10 of our Hotelier Middle East Power 50 reads like a who's who of the industry in the region. Click though to the links below to find out more about each of these remarkable individuals and what elevated them to their high rankings.
10. Amine E. Moukarzel, Golden Tulip Hotels & Resorts
9. Bani Haddad, Wyndham Hotel Group
8. Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, Millennium & Copthorne
7. Pascal Gauvin, Intercontinental Hotels Group
6. Gerald Lawless, Jumeirah Group
5. Omer Kaddouri, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation
4. Christophe Landais, Accor Hotel Services Middle East
3. Guido de Wilde, Starwood Hotels & Resorts