45. Mohamed Soussan, Group General Manager, Ayla Hotels and Resorts
Al Ain-born hotel group eyes foothold into Africa, as well as an upcoming UAE property
After 32 years working in hospitality, Mohamed Soussan now finds himself overseeing approximately 400 employees as Ayla Hotels and Resorts’ group general manager. The group currently operates two properties in Al Ain, UAE, (Ayla Hotel and Ayla Bawadi Hotel). The group is set to double its number of operational hotels, with two hotels in the pipeline: the Ayla Grand Hotel (also in Al Ain) and Ayla Djibouti Resorts. The latter, which Soussan says represents a US $24.5 million investment, marks the group’s first foray outside of the UAE, and into the African market. The Ayla Grand Hotel, which is the group’s third property in Al Ain, is expected to open in Q4 2016. Soussan says he is keen to keep an “open-door” policy with his employees. “I have been where they are presently and I can relate easily to what they are going through. Therefore, I am not some scary boss who spreads fear — I consider myself as part of the team, I brainstorm with my people to identify problems and definitely always find myself being part of the solution,” he adds.
By the numbers
6 Number of years in the role
6 Number of years with company
2 Number of Middle East operating hotels
1 Number of Middle East pipeline hotels
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