If anyone deserves to be in a top spot in the Power 50, it is Tom Wright; architect for one of the world’s most iconic hotels, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Hotelier Middle East was surprised to discover the 27-storey sail-shaped masterpiece was Wright’s first hotel design project.
When the architect came to Dubai in 1993, he thought InterContinental Hotel Group’s Al Bustan Palace Muscat was arguably considered the best hotel in the GCC, but Jumeirah Group’s Burj Al Arab set a new standard in hospitality for the region — and the world — as the only seven-star hotel.
The market responded and Wright is confident that the quality of hotels in Dubai now equals and often surpasses those in established capital cities around the globe.
Advertisement
The Burj Al Arab is going to be a hard one to top in terms of design, but we hear Wright — who believes in absolute dedication to quality, detail and the client’s right to have it — is determined to better it.
And after 26 years in the industry, if that fails, the keen yacht master won’t be on the next boat home; his plan is to retire and sail around the world.
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
