Hotelier Qatar Power 50: 1-10
01. Hamad Abdullah Al Mulla, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Katara Hospitality
When Hamad Abdulla Al Mulla took over as CEO, Katara’s only international property was in Egypt. Today, the group has properties in Morocco, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand, as well as qatar, of course.
This year has been an important one for Katara Hospitality. The group launched its standalone operating division, Murwab Hotel Group, which manages an international collection of boutique upscale hotels and brands. The group currently manages properties under its three main areas of business: Murwab Hotels; The Bürgenstock Selection; and a collection of independent non-branded upscale properties.
In Qatar, Murwab signed management agreements for Saraya Corniche Hotel and City Gate Hotel in Doha, both of which are in the final stages of development and scheduled to open later this year, in addition to the opening of three more hotels by Murwab in Qatar currently under development — Grand Murwab City Center; The Avenue, a Murwab Hotel; and Simaisma, a Murwab Resort.
Going forward, Al Mulla is focused on driving Katara’s strategy of expanding its portfolio of iconic hotels. Recently, the group surpassed its target of 30 properties by 2016, two years ahead of schedule, and now the aim is for 60 properties by 2026.
Commenting on the strategy for expansion, Al Mulla states: “Our criteria for our properties are that they must be outstanding and proud iconic landmarks of the cities in which they stand. And with our 45 years of experience, rich expertise, commitment and investment, they can be elegantly and carefully restored for future generations to come.”
Top inspiration
“Both my parents encouraged my career choices at a time when even the thought of a Qatari national working in the hotel industry would be ridiculed – let alone working in the back-of-house areas.”
By the numbers
Years in current role: 4
Years in the company: 6
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 7
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 8
Number of Qatar hotels: 10
02. Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide
Rudi Jagersbacher boasts grass-roots experience, strong relationships, business acumen and a drive to succeed, with a team of more than 21,500 employees, including 69 GMs in 19 MEA countries.
Having been in his role for four years, Jagersbacher continues to enthuse about the company’s growth in the Middle East. With 50 operating properties in the region, there are another 63 in the pipeline, one third of which are in the three- and four-star segment.
Hilton has the largest Qatar pipeline of all hotel groups, with eight planned, including the 445-key Hilton Doha the Pearl Residence.
Jagersbacher commented: “We are confident that our pipeline of eight properties — including the soon-to-open DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Old Town and Hilton Salwa Beach Resort — are well positioned for the increasing number of guests who are eager to visit Qatar.”
Hilton’s mid-market ambitions in the Middle East saw it more than doubling the number of hotels under either its Hilton Garden Inn or Hampton by Hilton brands to 15 in the 12-month period to Q1 2015.
The 420-room Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Qusais was one of six mid-market hotel projects agreed in 2014/15, and the company is in advanced negotiations for further Hilton Garden Inn properties in the UAE, which will join Hilton Garden Inn Doha, expected to open in 2016.
None of this means to say that Hilton’s other hotel categories are being ignored. The arrival of Curio, A Collection by Hilton in the Middle East, was confirmed with the first agreement in Doha, at the Mall of Qatar — expected to open in 2016.
And among Hilton’s newly operational properties is the DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Old Town — a first for the upscale brand in Qatar.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 4
Number of years with company: 40
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 50
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 63
Number of Qatar hotels: 2
03. Alex Kyriakidis, President & Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International
Kyriakidis is targeting a further 50% growth in the Middle East/Africa by 2020.
In an impressive year for signings, Marriott International has ramped up its pipeline portfolio in the Middle East with a whopping 25 new projects confirmed, spanning Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“Our impressive growth story since the time I joined the team is testament to the impact we have made as a company on a regional scale,” explains Kyriakidis, who arrived in 2012 from professional services network Deloitte, where he established a number of key owner and investor relationships that he has since leveraged in his role with Marriott.
While last year Marriott’s focus was very much on Africa, the company is now looking to strengthen its position in the Middle East under the leadership of Kyriakidis, and a further 50% regional growth is being targeted by 2020.
The company is ramping up its long-stay portfolio and in November 2014 signed its first Residence Inn by Marriott Doha West Bay, signaling the entry of the brand to Qatar.
Marriott has further strengthened its position in the region with the signings of five Qatar properties, three Bahrain hotels, and a Letter of Intent with the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels to manage the Mena House hotel in Cairo.
Currently, Kyriakidis is responsible for 13,000 associates in the Middle East, with a further 8,000 expected to join the company in the Middle East and Africa by 2018.
Top inspiration
“My mother, who brought me up as a single parent and who worked relentlessly to support me through school and beyond, encouraging me throughout to succeed.”
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 3
Number of years with company: 3
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 47
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 39
Number of Qatar hotels: 4
04. Guido De Wilde, Senior Vice President and Regional Director Middle East, Starwood Hotels And Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Guido de Wilde makes the top four in the hotelier qatar power list. Under his regional leadership, starwood hotels & resorts has made significant headway over the last 12 months.
Four new properties were signed this year, marking the launch of both the Aloft and Element brands in the region, the former of which will make its debut in Qatar with the recent signing of Aloft Doha. Other openings to come in late 2015 include the Westin Doha Resort & Spa, which marks a brand debut in Qatar.
De Wilde looks after 53 colleagues in his regional office, 15 general managers/area managers who directly report to him, and over 20,000 associates from more than 100 nationalities across hotels in the region.
The Middle East continues to be an important market for Starwood’s overall global strategy, and de Wilde’s focus remains on providing the highest service standards in the region.
“Our most important asset as a company is brand loyalty, so we continue to focus on strengthening relationships with our guests by offering more personalised experiences. In order to do this, we have to know our guests and truly understand what they look for when they stay with us,” he says.
“From a growth point of view, the team continues to look for opportunities to expand our portfolio of brands in the Middle East.”
Top inspiration
“On a personal note I am inspired by great athletes, especially in the world of cycling. I think in particular about my hero Eddy Merckx, the Belgian cyclist who won over 500 races during his career and who just turned 70. He was an incredible champion and is a great human being. He believed in himself, pushed his boundaries during every race, gave his utmost to achieve his objective and constantly revised his goals. Yet he remained humble and approachable. I am privileged to know him personally.”
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 10
Number of years with company: 28
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 50
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 42
Number of Qatar hotels: 3
05. Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group
Consolidating strong relationships with owners and igniting new partnerships is key to Gauvin’s success.
Pascal Gauvin has achieved key milestones over the last 12 months. Leveraging existing and new partnerships, IHG has signed 11 hotels and opened five. With brands ranging from the three-star Holiday Inn to the five-star InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the company continues to strengthen its presence in key markets.
With 77 hotels operating across five brands, in nine Middle Eastern countries, IHG has another 29 properties in the pipeline. As well as a strong portfolio in the long-stay, midscale and luxury segments, InterContinental is keeping ahead of the curve with its lifestyle offering, Hotel Indigo. The Sustainable City property in Dubai will comprise 170 rooms and is set to open in the first half of 2017 as a ‘net zero energy building’, whereby 100% of its energy needs will be met by solar power.
Gauvin asserts that he is committed to growing the next generation of leaders, as he supports more than 25,000 people across India, the Middle East and Africa. “Since I took on the role of COO for the region in 2012, one of my main focuses has been to keep building on IHG’s strong presence and legacy. And one of the ways we do that is through our people. “We want to expand the presence of our brands, earn our guests’ love and loyalty, be recognised as a great company to work for and a great partner, which delivers on its promises.”
Gauvin has worked in a number of senior managerial positions across Qatar, the UAE and Lebanon and is responsible for the operations of more than 120 hotels in 20 countries.
Top inspiration
“Nalin Mandaritta, general manager of Crowne Plaza Kathmandu-Soaltee, who led the recovery from two devastating earthquakes and continues to help our guests, colleagues and the local community in the aftermath of the disaster. He has shown outstanding leadership in the midst of a crisis and was a source of strength to the hotel team in delivering aid to those affected. I am greatly inspired by Nalin – he is a true example of what being a great general manager is all about.”
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 3
Number of years with company: 22
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 77
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 29
Number of Qatar hotels: 3
06. Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, Founder, President & CEO, Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East & Africa
Alzaabi has set an ambitious 100-hotel target for Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East & Africa.
Millennium & Copthorne has had a busy year, with five new hotel openings by June, and another 11 newly signed.
“In the past 12 months we have seen a strong pipeline of new openings, with five hotels launched since March and six more due to open by the end of the year,” Alzaabi says. “This will result in a 50%-plus increase to the portfolio and signals the start of rapid region-wide expansion, ensuring that we are on track to meet the target of operating 50 properties within the next three years,” he reveals.
Millennium & Copthorne signed its first Middle East-inspired Agarwood-branded hotel during the Arabian Travel Market in 2015. The 286-key resort will open in Salalah in Oman in 2017. And last year, the group reintroduced its Studio M brand, which was set to roll out in Q2 of 2015, but has faced delays. There are currently three properties in the pipeline in Dubai, and another property planned in Muscat.
“We are excited to extend our footprint with a strong pipeline of new openings in place, including several new brands that will reinforce our position as one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the GCC. We believe there is immense scope for development in the region,” Alzaabi explains.
In addition to his role at Millennium & Copthorne, Alzaabi is also chairman and founder of Lakhraim Business Group, and founder and executive vice chairman of Pearl Azure Hotel Management.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 14
Number of years with company: 14
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 22
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 40
Number of Qatar hotels: 3
07. Mark Griffiths, SVP, Regional Operations, Middle East & Africa, Kempinski Hotels
Griffiths graces hotelier qatar’s power list, having taken the helm of Kempinski’s regional operations as senior vice president ten months ago, coinciding with the launch of doha’s marsa malaz.
Kempinski Hotels has had a rocky year, having lost the services of three of its most senior executives in the region in November 2014, including the president for Middle East & Africa Ulrich Eckhardt.
Additionally, last year Starwood Hotels & Resorts took over a two-tower property which previously housed the Kempinski Grand and Ixir Hotel. It was rebadged under the Le Méridien and Westin brands.
Eckhardt’s successor Griffiths took over in June from his role as vice president of asset management hospitality for Majid Al Futtaim Properties. He also previously led the operations of Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Kuwait as general manager.
With a focus on expanding the Kempinski portfolio in the region, Griffiths’ experience in owner and operator companies will help to facilitate the growth of the Kempinski’s portfolio, and the Middle East is part of its global ambition to double its international portfolio by 2020.
In the past year, the company has opened Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl — Doha, which has a total of 281 rooms, including 69 suites, and is the first five-star hotel on The Pearl, a major man-made island featuring both residential and commercial elements. A key pipeline property is the Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski in Cairo — one of 10 pipeline properties — which is being set up to cater specifically for meetings and conferences.
“We have excellent business partners, with whom we’re excited to be working, preparing their openings and managing their operations thereafter,” he says.
Currently Griffiths oversees Kempinski’s 19 operating hotels in the Middle East and Africa, while he has been entrusted with the task of ensuring the 10 pipeline projects open successfully.
By the numbers
Number of months in role: 10
Number of months with company: 10
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 19
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 10
Number of Qatar hotels: 2
08. Michael Zager, Regional Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group
Having taken on his role just a few months ago, Zager is now tasked with building Wyndham’s management portfolio of budget, midscale and luxury hotels in the Middle East and Africa.
Leading the way in the region in the economy sector, Wyndham is starting to move away from the franchise model as it ramps up its Middle East management portfolio under the regional leadership of Michael Zager.
He has successfully established the group’s management services offering during his three years in the region, during which time he has developed standard operating procedures across multiple commercial functions and overseen hotel openings in Qatar and the UAE, as well as the UK and, most recently, Tanzania.
Zager currently oversees 42 operating hotels across seven brands, from budget to five-star, in the Middle East. A further 15 hotels are in the pipeline for the region, and anticipated to open by the end of 2018.
As well as expanding its budget brands, Wyndham is strengthening the presence of its mid-scale, upscale, long-stay and luxury brands. Tryp by Wyndham debuted in the Middle East in March 2015.
Commenting on his vision for the future of Wyndham in the region, Zager said: “I want to continue the company’s rapid yet strategic growth in the region, adding the right hotels in the right locations with the right brands in order to add value to both guests and hotel owners alike.”
Zager, a German national, first joined the company 11 years ago as director of business development, and has quickly risen through the ranks.
Top inspiration
“My family and especially my father, who was a hotelier himself – he started as a chef, went to hotel school and worked abroad for many years, including in Germany, France, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, where I grew up. He taught me the core values in both life and hospitality – trust, respect, honesty, love and patience – and I am very thankful for that.”
By the numbers
Number of months in role: 4
Number of years with company: 11
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 42
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 15
Number of Qatar hotels: 2
09. Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East and Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
Andreas Mattmüller has been with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts for more than 14 years and has supported the swiss operator’s expansion from just four hotels in jordan, and a few in egypt, to 30 hotels across the GCC.
When Andreas Mattmüller joined the group, Mövenpick’s Middle East portfolio stood at just four hotels in Jordan, and a handful in Egypt, where the regional office was based. Today, the Swiss firm operates 30 hotels in seven countries in the Middle East and has seven new hotels in the pipeline in the region.
During his time with Mövenpick, Mattmüller has worked to enhance guest loyalty, and has supported the introduction of several initiatives in the region, including Cherish, a guest recognition programme, which aims to retain the loyalty of its regular guests and provide personalised services. The group integrated a rapid response system into that programme in order to satisfy guest requests in a quicker and more efficient manner.
The creation of a Guest Service Centre has enabled customers to call just one department and have all their requests carried out though a single point of contact, while a meaningful system to track and measure guest satisfaction was also put in place.
Training and career development have been other important areas of focus for the team. A Talent Development Centre has been created to nurture senior-level leaders as future general managers.
Top inspiration
“My father and his uncle, who owned a hotel, inspired and supported me when I decided to pursue a career in hospitality at the age of 15.”
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 8
Number of years with company: 14
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 30
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 8
Number of Qatar hotels: 2
10. Vincent Miccolis, Area Manager GCC, The Ascott Limited
In his first year in charge, Miccolis has restructured and started an aggressive strategy to expand The Ascott’s GCC footprint.
Vincent Miccolis has spent just 12 months as The Ascott’s area manager for the GCC, however, in that time he has led the operator’s regional expansion. As well as building on an existing presence in Qatar, Dubai and Bahrain, Miccolis intends to open a further seven properties in 2015-16 and in doing so, push The Ascott’s footprint into Saudi Arabia and Oman for the first time. The hotel operator is also exploring opportunities in Makkah and Kuwait City.
The Ascott has used a mixture of strategic partnerships, acquisitions, management agreements and franchising to rapidly assemble its regional property portfolio. In the past year, The Ascott has added the Citadines brand, the first of which will open in Jeddah within 18 months.
A busy schedule of property openings coincides with the work that Miccolis, an 18-year veteran of the firm, has done to improve the overall regional operations. On starting in the Dubai office, he quickly identified areas to “increase overall efficiencies and results,” he says.
“After completing a full operational analysis, a re-structure was implemented and fully operational within two months of starting in the position,” Miccolis adds.
A crucial element of the restructuring work was an increase in inter-office connectivity. “Technology will break down geographic and personal barriers and will be present in our [business] units and in the way we work,” he explains.
Top inspiration
“I am a big admirer of Napoleon Bonaparte — a pioneer of strategic thinking. His ability to inspire a shared vision to the whole nation was just astonishing.”
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 1
Number of years with company: 18
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 4
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 11
Number of Qatar hotels: 2