41 Daniel Hajjar

Over the past two years, Daniel Hajjar has successfully launched Layia Hospitality into the Middle East market, having set the company up from scratch right from obtaining its first PO Box number.

With three properties now in operation, humbly Hajjar admits that the company is too young to have made its impact, but his reputation during his previous role with regional powerhouse Rotana stands him in good stead of reaching 15 properties within the next five to seven years.

During his decade with Rotana, Hajjar held the posts of corporate VP sales and marketing and VP operations for Lebanon and Syria. Achievements included the opening of Rotana’s first five-star property in the Levant, the Gefinor Rotana Hotel and launching one of the most recognised loyalty programmes in the region; Rotana Rewards.

Having been dedicated to the region’s hospitality industry since 1986, starting as head of Hilton’s sales and marketing team for properties in Dubai and Bahrain, Hajjar has also been based in Cairo as regional director of sales and marketing for 23 Hilton properties in the Middle East.

His career acceleration from a filing clerk within the reservations department at the Paris Hilton since 1983 has been impressive, yet he still finds time for his passion for flying. Although currently limited to watching planes and being a passenger, Hajjar says that “one day, I will fly a plane myself”.