Hotelier Qatar Power 50: 11-20
11. Baran Turkel, Managing Director Turkey, Middle East & Central Asia, Best Western International
Diving straight into the Hotelier qatar power list, having taken on his role just seven months ago, turkel has big plans for best western international in the region.
Best Western recently made changes to its operational and development support strategy for the Middle East, which will now be centered in the Best Western International offices in Istanbul, Turkey where the company already supports 18 Best Western-branded hotels. Additionally, the company has hired a new managing director and development director for the region.
Baran Turkel joined the company just seven months ago to oversee the operational and development pipeline of the brand in the Middle East, Turkey and Central Asia. He joined from Marriott International, where he most recently held a senior managerial role at Istanbul Marriott Hotel, Sisli. Turkel currently oversees an operating portfolio of 18 hotels in Turkey and 11 operating hotels across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and pipeline projects in Makkah, Iraq and Kuwait.
Over the last year, the company has signed six hotels; four in Saudi Arabia, one in Doha and the company’s Dubai debut — a Deira-based 250-room hotel, converted from Traders Hotel Dubai by Shangri-La in June. Looking to the future, Turkel says the region is a focus for the brand. “We want to continue to expand in the Middle East and have made the necessary investment to do so,” he says. “We expect to continue to add to the products we have in the Middle East and take advantage of the already rapid development in tourism taking place in the region.”
Turkel has worked in the hospitality industry for 18 years in hotels across Asia and Turkey.
By the numbers
Number of months in role: 7
Number of months with company: 7
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 11
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 10
Number of Qatar hotels: 2
12. Christophe Landais, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Hotels Middle East
A Trendsetter in mid-market growth in the Middle East, Landais is now coming into his own as three- and four-star hotel development rises to the top of the region’s agenda.
Accor Hotels has long been the leader in the development of mid-market and economy accommodation in the Middle East, and is now capitalising on that position. “Being able to successfully bring mid-scale and economy hotels to the Middle East, at a time when the region was largely focused on the development of luxury hotels, has been an exceptional feat that I am proud of,” explains Landais.
The original Ibis World Trade Centre in Dubai has been followed by 15 operational Ibis hotels with nearly 3,500 rooms across the region and 17 more Ibis hotels with 5,680 rooms are under development. “I am pleased that Ibis has earned a strong reputation for excellent services at very competitive prices, with the other two members of its family Ibis Styles and Ibis Budget to become guest favourites in the market,” Landais states.
However it’s not just about the mid-market and economy sectors for Accor Hotels. Landais oversees a portfolio of 71 operating hotels and 42 pipeline properties spanning a full spectrum of brands including the mid-scale Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure and Adagio and the luxury Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery and Grand Mercure brands.
In the past 12 months, Accor Hotels opened eight hotels across the Middle East, many of those under the long-stay Adagio brand. These include Aparthotel Adagio Premium West Bay Doha. Accor Hotels has three hotels under development in Qatar, including the 468-key Pullman.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 15
Number of years with company: 15
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 72
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 42
Number of Qatar hotels: 2
13. Omer Z. Kaddouri, President & CEO, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation
Despite having been At the helm of Rotana for just 18 months, Kaddouri has already made significant headway with openings, signings and brand firsts.
Responsible for 12,759 staff, Kaddouri took the helm of Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotel Management 18 months ago, having worked with the company for 18 years.
Now with 50 operating hotels and another 56 in the pipeline, Rotana continues to expand its presence across the globe. Over the last 12 months, the company has made key openings in the region, and a number of brand firsts. These include the opening of Sedra Residences by Rotana, Rotana’s first property to open under the newly launched brand “The Residences by Rotana” and its second property in Qatar.
In addition to openings, the operator has also made headway with developments, having confirmed 10 new properties since July 2014. Kaddouri’s vision is to have 100 operating hotels by 2020. In Qatar, Rotana has Centro Doha and City Centre Rotana under construction.
In addition to expansion plans, he has has moved the company forward with its investment in technology infrastructure and in its brand website. A key part of this was the launch of online restaurant bookings in early 2015. Today, 49 Rotana signature restaurants are bookable online. Rotana has already seen a huge interest from guests and has received online bookings for more than 10,000 covers.
Kaddouri is a member of The World Travel & Tourism Council, The Emirates Association Company of Hospitality Management, Global Hotels Network, and Les Roches, the International School of Hotels Management.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 1.5
Number of years with company: 18
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 50
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 56
Number of Qatar hotels: 2
14. Christian Clerc, President of hotel operations – EMEA, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Christian Clerc took over as vice president, before moving up as president of hotel operations for the europe, middle east and africa region.
As part of his role, Christian Clerc was responsible for relocating the Four Seasons’ EMEA corporate office to Dubai. “The move is a sign of our strong commitment to the Middle East and to the importance that we place on this region going forward,” Clerc states.
It’s been a busy time for Four Seasons. In the past 12 months, Clerc has led his teams to open five new hotels in the EMEA region. These include Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay — first properties for the group in these markets.
The group’s business in the region has a strong growth pipeline. Projects are at various stages of development in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Morocco — Casablanca and Taghazhout Bay. Earlier this year, Four Seasons also confirmed a second Dubai property — this time a business hotel in the city’s financial district. Speaking to Hotelier, Clerc also hinted at a property in Jeddah and said the operator was “interested” in Oman.
A Swiss national, Clerc has worked all around the world, with stints in the US, Mexico, France, Switzerland and Italy.
“The many and varied experiences I’ve had working around the world have given me the ability to be relevant in key markets. I also consider myself to be fiercely competitive, and deeply passionate about quality and excellence,” Clerc says.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 2
Number of years with company: 15
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 11
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 4
Number of Qatar hotels: 1
15. Pablo Graf, Senior Vice President, Operations, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Southwest Asia
Graf was appointed to Hyatt’S Dubai office in 2012 to oversee the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Maldives and the Indian subcontinent — regions identified as very important for Hyatt’s expansion strategy.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation currently has 10 properties operating across the GCC, and at least nine new hotels are expected to open in the region by 2017.
These will include Hyatt Regency Makkah, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Residences Emirates Pearl and Park Hyatt Doha.
Additionally, the group is continuing to diversify its offerings in the GCC with one of the fastest growing brands in its global portfolio — the Hyatt Place brand, with Hyatt Place Makkah and Hyatt Place Jeddah/Medina Road. The company will also introduce its extended-stay Hyatt House brand in the region for the first time with Hyatt House Jeddah/Sari Street and Hyatt House Makkah.
Openings for the group this year include the 126-key Hyatt Place Dubai/Baniyas Square, in July, marking the brand’s second property in Dubai. Next to launch is the 657-key Hyatt Regency Makkah, which will be part of a two-phase mixed use development in proximity to Al Masjid Al Haram.
The 47-storey Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Residences will be the brand’s first in the UAE capital.
Graf first joined Hyatt Hotels in 1984, and 20 years later took on the role of general manager at Park Hyatt Dubai. In 2007 he left the company to join Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, before returning to Hyatt in 2012.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 3.5
Number of years with company: 25
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 10
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 9
Number of Qatar hotels: 1
16. Ibrahim Barghout, Area Vice President, Middle East & Africa, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
Ibrahim Barghout took over office 18 months ago, and currently oversees the operations of eight regional properties in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and
Saudi Arabia.
Focusing on the expansion of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in the Middle East, Barghout has introduced a number of measures to improve operational efficiency.
“I saw the opportunity to realign regional operational resources at an above-property level, so that new property teams are ready for pre-openings,” comments Barghout.
“Given the growing demand for luxury in the market, we felt the time was right to expand our portfolio and introduce new brands into the roster in order to diversify the experiences we are offering the global traveller.”
This summer the company signed and opened The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, the operator’s second property in Saudi Arabia, located on Al Hamra Corniche.
During the same period, Barghout oversaw the reopening of The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo following an extensive refurbishment.
Additionally, at the end of last year, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai added 146 guestrooms and suites to its property, following the renovation of its Ghoroob wing.
Barghout views the Middle East market as a complex one, commenting: “You need to go beyond operating as an entrepreneur, and be able to be adaptable, culturally sensitive and globally aware.”
Referring to his staff as “the backbone of The Ritz-Carlton experience”, Barghout claims that their development is “an important part” of his agenda.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 2
Number of years with company: 33
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 8
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 2
Number of Qatar hotels: 1
17. Robert Kunkler, Chief Operating Officer, Minor Hotel Group
Relatively new to the role of chief operating officer, in which he oversees 19,000 staff, Kunkler has nevertheless already made rapid strides for Minor Hotel Group in the middle east.
In February 2015, the Minor Hotel Group had a major breakthrough when it signed a new partnership with Dubai Properties Group to develop the Anantara Dubai Creek Hotel, at the rapidly developing Culture Village.
The new property is set to be located in the east of the city facing Dubai Creek.
Then in April 2015, the group announced a partnership with Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company to develop two new Anantara resorts in North Africa, to open in 2017.
Minor Hotel Group operates 10 properties across the Middle East, and the future is looking extremely bright for the company.
Two hotels have been announced in Oman — in Jabal Akhdar and Salalah — and another in Dubai, and the firm will add more properties in other GCC countries and is exploring its options throughout the Emirates.
Under Kunkler’s leadership, Minor Hotel Group has added properties in eight new markets, expanded operations to 21 existing countries and has upcoming projects in 10 countries.
Kunkler is known as a perfectionist, putting customer feedback and satisfaction high on his list of business deliverables.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 16
Number of years with company: 16
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 10
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 3
Number of Qatar hotels: 1
18. Mohamed Ahmed Awadalla, Chief Executive Officer, TIME Hotels Management
Since taking over as CEO, Awadalla has been instrumental in Time Hotels’ entry into three key regional markets.
After the inception of Time Hotels in 2012, the UAE-founded brand now has a presence with its three sub-brands, in the UAE, Egypt and Qatar, and will be operational in Saudi Arabia by 2016.
Time Hotels currently operates 12 properties under four different brands in the UAE and Egypt. Four- and five-star properties trade under the Time Hotels & Resorts brand, three-star hotels under the Time Express brand, furnished apartments under the Time Hotel Apartments brand, and both furnished and unfurnished residential apartments under Time Residence.
The group also has five hotels in the pipeline, all due to open by Q3 of 2017. These include Universal Time Residence in Doha.
Awadalla spearheaded the opening of Time’s Garhoud-based head office in Dubai, and the expansion of the group’s sales and reservation team with new offices in Cairo and Doha. He champions Time’s sustainability agenda and has been the driving force behind the various initiatives implemented across the portfolio, including the launch of the first hotel room stay carbon offsetting programme in the Middle East.
Introduced in April 2014, the programme has a target of saving up to 320 tonnes of carbon emissions by the end of 2015. In addition, Time Oak Hotel & Suites and Time Grand Plaza Hotel have both been awarded Green Globe certification.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 3
Number of years with company: 8
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 12
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 5
Number of Qatar hotels: 1
19. Noel Massoud, VP, Operations & Development, Middle East, Swiss-Belhotel International
Massoud has made significant headway in the region, despite having been in his role for just 20 months.
With 40 years of hospitality experience behind him, including 25 years with InterContinental Hotels Group, Massoud has driven more than 70% growth in development of new hotels and projects, and the company witnessed 150% growth in revenue last year.
A result of its positive performance in the region in 2014, this year Swiss-Belhotel International announced it would open another 10 hotels in 2015 across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Iraq.
Earlier this year the company launched its first Abu Dhabi property — the 189-key Swiss-Belhotel Corniche, and several more are to open in the coming months.
At the end of last year, Swiss-Behlhotel further strengthened its UAE portfolio with the takeover of the Concorde Hotel Fujairah and also moved its service centre to Ras Al Khaimah, underlining the group’s particular focus on the Emirates for expansion activities.
Commenting on the future of the company in the region, Massoud says: “My vision is to have 20 hotels in the region for Swiss-Belhotel by the end of 2016.”
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 3
Number of ears in the company: 17
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 5
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 9
Number of Qatar hotels: 1
20. Antoine Sayegh, President, Gloria Hotels & Resorts and Mourouj Gloria Hotels Group Company
Gloria’s president is On a mission to prove that dry hotels can be as profitable as those with bars and nightclubs.
With a stated ambition to open a Gloria branded hotel in every GCC capital and all major Saudi cities, Sayegh is pioneering his value-for-money hotel concept without bars or nightclubs.
Catering to the needs of families and their children and business travellers alike but without the provision of alcoholic beverages, he claims to be proving to doubters that a dry model can be as successful, if not more, than others.
Staff training and professional service standards focus on providing clients with clean and comfortable surroundings and good food with attractions and facilities for children.
Despite operating a range of property types and sizes — from boutique hotels and the small five-star resorts to some of the largest all-suites hotel in the Middle East — Sayegh says that all his hotels have something in common — allowing the company’s 1,700 associates to share their ideas and empowering them to make decisions to improve the company’s guest services and colleague working conditions.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 6
Number of years with company: 11
Number of Middle East operating hotels: 10
Number of Middle East pipeline hotels: 5
Number of Qatar hotels: 1