Middle East Hospitality Industry Top 10 Leaders
The CEOs, Presidents, and other heads of hotel groups who are leading the Middle East region in the hospitality industry.
Who are the individuals at the helm of the hotel groups operating in the Middle East? From regional presidents to CEOs and COOs, encompassing both local businesses and global powerhouses, Executive Power List showcases the decision-makers at the very top of firms in this region.
The individuals featured on this list were nominated by their peers, colleagues, and team members, who highlighted their achievements over the past 12 months and their exciting plans for the future. The list is presented in alphabetical order by first name, as we strive to celebrate everyone on this Power List equally for their contributions to making the Middle East the global hub of hospitality.
Abdulla Al Abdulla
Group Chief Operating Officer and Group General Manager, Central Hotels and Resorts
Abdulla Al Abdulla is the Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Central Hotels and Central One Dubai Properties. He is the strategist and leader behind the growth of C Central Hotel The Palm, Royal Central Hotel The Palm, Canal Central Business Bay, and First Central Suites Al Barsha, TECOM.
Al Abdulla brings a wealth of experience in optimizing international operations. Throughout the past year, his strategic vision has optimized operations, set industry trends, and fostered collaboration. Beyond this, his commitment to corporate social responsibility has significantly impacted community development, education, and environmental sustainability.
Central Hotels & Resorts, under Al Abdulla's guidance, has implemented impactful sustainability measures, such as wooden key cards, eco-friendly F&B cutlery, and water bottle initiatives across all its hotels.
Notably, he is the first Emirati leader to join UNICEF's NextGen Global Principals, committing resources, time, networks, and skills to address critical child rights issues like the climate crisis, mental health, and digital inequality.
Ahmed Ramdan
Founder & Group CEO, Roya International Hospitality & Leisure Consultants LLC
Recognizing an unmet need in the market, Ahmed Ramdan established Roya International in 1998, focusing on managing multiple properties and delivering comprehensive 360-degree hospitality services.
Over 25 years, he has steered Roya to become a premier hospitality consultancy brand in the MEA region. In the past 12 months, his leadership has provided expert solutions to the hospitality, leisure, tourism, and real estate sectors, impacting various regional government projects in the UAE, Qatar, and beyond. Under his guidance, Roya’s portfolio now spans 35 countries, including Europe, the South Pacific, and island resorts like the Maldives and the Seychelles.
His passionate endeavor to encourage more Emiratis to join the hospitality industry is evident in his recent initiatives. Over the past year, he initiated partnerships with UAE universities to integrate fresh graduates as interns at Ròya, aiming to transition as many as possible into permanent roles, nurturing the next generation of local talent.
Alexander Suski
Chief Hospitality Officer, SBK Hospitality Business Group
Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, part of SBK Hospitality Business Group, recently underwent an extensive renovation and celebrated its 20th anniversary. The prime location hotel’s transformation includes renovations to the lobby and modernizing 394 rooms and suites.
Led by Alexander Suski, the hotel has taken several sustainability initiatives, such as reducing single-use plastic throughout the hotel and employing certified biodegradable cleaning products for day-to-day operations.
In an effort to conserve energy, LED lighting has been adopted throughout, reducing energy consumption. Installing aerators in all water taps has also curtailed water wastage, contributing to the hotel’s comprehensive eco-conscious focus. Suski previously worked for Millennium Hotels & Resorts and was responsible for increasing the number of properties from 23 to 48.
He also established Ishraq Hospitality, part of the Mohamed and Obaid Al Mulla Group of Companies, as a hospitality management company and oversaw the launch of Terra Solis by Tomorrowland.
Amir Golbarg
Senior Vice President Middle East, Africa & India, Minor Hotels
Amir Golbarg's strategic decision-making prowess, impeccable leadership style, and vast experience in the field have positively impacted the company over the past 12 months. His visionary approach and keen understanding of market dynamics have catapulted the company throughout the region. The remarkable results and ambitious expansion plans bear testament to his foresight.
Golbarg is the driving force behind some of the most important sustainability projects and initiatives that are being undertaken at Minor Hotels. He believes in indigenous sustainable luxury and has developed a strategy encompassing key areas such as environment, community, guest operations, and employees. He employs a holistic approach to sustainability in an effort to achieve better outcomes. His trailblazing spirit and unwavering commitment make him a role model of sustainable leadership in the dynamic world of hospitality. He continues championing change and innovation to shape a brighter, greener future for the entire industry and beyond.
Under Golbarg’s leadership, Minor Hotels celebrated the debut of the NH Collection brand in the Middle East in February with NH Collection Dubai The Palm. Minor Hotels is also adding two properties to its luxury Anantara brand in the UAE. These include Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort, a luxury, eco-sustainable resort located in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah, featuring the only overwater villa resort in the Ras Al Khaimah area. The second property is Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat which marks the first retreat brand in the UAE. Launching early in 2024 and with its design mirroring Santorini in Greece, the bespoke ultra-luxury property will offer 22 keys and feature a private beach, infinity pool, and two bespoke dining experiences.
Furthermore, Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel, the first urban Anantara in the UAE, has recently completed the refurbishment of its lobby and meeting rooms, adding a touch of green oasis in the middle of Business Bay.
The Anantara brand is also expanding in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the announcement of an upcoming resort in Trojena, part of Neom. Located in the scenic northwest in a breathtaking mountain setting, the resort will bring authentic Anantara luxury. This property joins the previously announced Anantara Diriyah Gate, currently under development in Riyadh.
One of the major announcements this year was the upcoming debut of Anantara in India with the newly built Anantara Jaipur Hotel. Set to launch in mid-2024, the property will be overseen by the Middle East, India & Africa office in Dubai and is set to become a popular venue for destination weddings and celebrations.
Cenk Ünverdi
Managing Director, Rixos Hotels Gulf Region
Cenk Ünverdi is a leader who has revolutionized the guest experience across all Rixos Hotels properties in the Gulf Region. Under his strategic direction, innovative guest-centric strategies were implemented, featuring dynamic activities for all ages, family entertainment, elevated F&B offerings, a multilingual front-of-house staff, and rigorous hygiene standards and safety protocols.
A crowning achievement under his leadership is the launch of the ALL Inclusive Collection. Accor, recognizing this vision and concept, created the dedicated platform. ALL Inclusive Collection is a new digital platform that will allow guests to discover and book a curated selection of all-inclusive resorts.
With this visionary approach, Rixos has been challenging the perception of all-inclusive by creating a premium experience with varied culinary destinations and high-quality entertainment through its “all-inclusive, all-exclusive” concept. Under Ünverdi’s leadership, Rixos Hotels has pioneered and excelled in delivering all-inclusive luxury holidays.
He has also been a driving force behind Rixos’s commitment to sustainability. His strategic vision and dedication to environmental responsibility led Rixos to achieve a global sustainability certificate from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), marking the brand as the first in the region to accomplish this remarkable feat. Under his guidance, Rixos embraced sustainable practices, integrating them seamlessly into the brand. From energy-efficient operations to eco-friendly procurement practices, Rixos has set new standards for environmental stewardship.
Eddy Tannous
Chief Operating Officer, Rotana
Eddy Tannous brings a proven track record of delivering success across various facets of hospitality, including operations, customer satisfaction, strategic expansion, marketing and more. Since joining Rotana, he has worked closely with the hotel and the corporate office team to ensure the successful anticipated openings of new properties across the MENA region and beyond.
This will include the opening of Pontus Rotana Resort & Spa, Gonio, the hospitality group’s brand debut in Georgia. On behalf of Rotana, Tannous placed the Ne’ma pledge to support the UAE’s ongoing work towards a 50 per cent reduction in food waste by 2030. Bringing over 23 years of industry experience to Rotana, he collaborates with the team to help expand global operations and create synergy among hotels in all aspects of operations.
Tannous represented Rotana at the World Travel Market 2023 in London, highlighting the Group’s planned expansion in the UK and showcasing its global portfolio of hotels and resorts.
Haitham Mattar
Managing Director, SWA, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Haitham Mattar joined IHG as Managing Director for IMEA in early 2021. Over the last few years, he has driven exceptional growth and performance across the region, especially in 2023. Under his leadership, the brand is working on several programmes in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman in collaboration with relevant government entities to provide skills training and job opportunities for local communities.
He is also passionate about sustainability initiatives, and under his leadership, his teams are working closely with hotels in the region to reduce carbon emissions, eliminate single-use items, reduce food waste, and collaborate with local stakeholders to tackle water sustainability issues.
Having been involved with UNWTO for several years, he was reappointed as a Special Advisor to the Secretary Ge neral of the UNWTO on Sustainable Tourism Development. He also servesas an advisory board member of the Arabian Travel Market, Future Hospitality Summit and Global Thinkers Forum (GTF).
Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim
CEO, Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA
Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim is CEO of Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA. The Emirati is a respected hospitality voice in the region and has sat on numerous boards over two decades. He has served as CEO of one of Millennium’s major owning companies, Tetra Hospitality Investment, since August 2022. As part of his role with Millennium, he also acts as CEO of Tetra Hospitality.
His ongoing role is to reinforce Millennium as a regional specialist in the hospitality industry, additionally entrusted with supercharging Emiratisation efforts. Before joining Tetra Hospitality Investment, he was a partner at KPMG Lower Gulf as head of the infrastructure and real estate advisory practice and head of Emiratisation.
An accountant by education and an asset manager by trade, for over 20 years, he has been responsible for the entire life cycle of developments, from project conceptualisation to asset management across different asset classes, including residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality. This included launching several mega projects, including City Walk, Blue Waters, Bulgari Resort and Residences, and Marsa Al Seef, among many others. He has sat on the boards of Emirates REIT, Dubai Parks & Resorts and Emirates Transport. Currently, he is a member of the Advisory Board of The College of Business and Economics of UAE University.
Now working as an operator and an asset manager, rather than a clear divide between owner and operator, Fahad sees the two sides of the hotel world as working towards the same goals.
He explained: “In my eyes, ROI goes hand-in-hand with the guest experience. It’s a circle. It starts with your staff. If staff are happy, they can provide good experiences to guests. If guests are happy, they are more loyal to your brand.
“If you have strong loyalty, you’ll have greater ROI for your owners. This industry is so intrinsically connected. Certainly, I have a developer mindset, but I understand how it all translates into operational nuances.”
This year alone, Millennium has reflagged the fomer Crowne Plaza Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road, signed a partnership with local F&B platform Watermelon to source sustainable ingredients, announced Africa’s tallest tower, Tycoon Tower, in Egypt, signed for the Millennium Talia Residences in Al Furjan and Biltmore Sufouh Residences in Sufouh, and signed an MOU with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME) to support small businesses. The most recent development has been the launch of companysustainability program, the Green Path Brand Playbook.
Hosni Abdel Hadi
CEO and Group Managing Director, Carlton Hotels and Suites
Under Hosni Abdel Hadi’s leadership, the sustainability drive of Carlton Hotels and Suites has picked up pace, as it is a topic he is very passionate about. He has spearheaded the initiatives of partnering with and endorsing entities for actively managing the waste management of the hotels.
Under his guidance, the group has partnered with organisations to deliver eco-friendly solutions and recycle used linen and uniforms to reproduce sustainable, eco-friendly uniforms for the hotels. With all these multi-fold initiatives he drives, the group has significantly reduced the carbon footprint by implementing smart and energy-efficient systems and reduced and managed waste and energy utilisation by over eight per cent year to date.
He was also instrumental in executing key business objectives for the year, which were to increase the market penetration index of the hotels and to strategically promote and market the portfolio of hotels in source markets as the preferred hotel group for key partners.
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