It has been a list of greats, but who has made their mark on the hospitality industry in 2010 by planting themselves in Hotelier Middle East's Top 10?
Do you agree with the choices or can you think of someone else? If so, let us know who you think should be there. However, we are standing by our very worthy Top 10 for 2010.
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10
HE Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri
Chairman, Abu Dhabi National Hotels
Since taking the helm at Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) in May 2008, HE Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri has put the UAE-based owner and operator firmly on the map.
The company owns six hotels — Hilton Abu Dhabi, Hilton Al Ain, Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Mercure Grand Hotel Jebel Hafeet and Sofitel Jumeirah Beach Dubai, which opened after several delays at the start of 2010.
Earlier this year, ADNH announced plans to double its assets in three years and open 1500 rooms in Abu Dhabi by 2012. And it is on track to do so — a year from now The Grand Canal Hotel will open in Abu Dhabi, operated by Ritz-Carlton as opposed to a previously signed deal with JW Marriott, and ADNH is also expected to be the first owner to open on Saadiyat Island with Park Hyatt opening in 2011. A third property is yet to be announced.
The developments are in line with the growth plans of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, with ADNH focused on being a major player in differentiating the emirate and delivering the vision of Abu Dhabi.
The company is also planning to consolidate its operated brand, Al Diar, with chief executive Richard Riley on board to support this.
And despite a 10% drop in occupancy to a still very respectable 80% in Q1 2010, ADNH reported net profit for Q1 of AED 170 million (US $46.2 million), an increase of 13% over the same period in 2009.
In addition to leading the success of ADNH, Al Hajeri is chief executive officer of the Offset Programme Bureau (OPB); chairman of Tadreeb, (National Training LLC); and a board member of Bedaya (the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Program for Small & Medium Enterprises), Horizon International Flight Academy, Caracal International, Abu Dhabi UAV Investments Company, Waha Capital and the German Emirati Company (BENA).
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