A perfect encounter with hotelier Bastien Blanc, co-founder of Trokadero Management
Bastien Blanc’s decades-long career in hospitality has taken him around the world and placed him at the helm of some of the world’s leading hotel operators, such as Accor and IHG. In this exclusive interview, Hospitality News Middle East reveals what drives the seasoned hotelier and why he’s invested in finding the talents of tomorrow.
Five minutes with Peter Schatzberg of Shatranj Capital Partners
American entrepreneur Peter Schatzberg, general partner of Shatranj Capital Partners and founder and former CEO of Sweetheart Kitchen, considers the Middle East his home. Having recently launched SCP, which focused exclusively on the F&B sector in the region, we took the opportunity to learn more about his project.
Savoring authentic Lebanese food with Elie Bassil, founder and COO of Habib Beirut
The concept began with an elderly man named Habib, who was renowned by locals for his pickles and homemade dairy products. News of his outstanding goods quickly spread, and it wasn’t long before restaurants started serving his dishes. Forty years later, Habib Beirut was born, and today, the brand is synonymous with authentic Lebanese food cooked with passion and a twist. Elie Bassil, founder and COO of Habib Beirut, discusses the concept’s rise to fame and his plans for the future.
Time out with the man behind MusicHall Beirut
Entrepreneur Michel Elefteriades, founder and co-owner of Elefteriades Productions and Elef Records, has over two decades of multidisciplinary experience in the fields of arts, music management, cultural engineering, entertainment and hospitality. We spoke with the mastermind about his legendary concept MusicHall Beirut, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Up close and personal with Guenter Gebhard, regional VP and GM of Four Seasons Riyadh
We took time out with Guenter Gebhard, regional vice president and GM of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Center, to get the lowdown on his management style and his role in ensuring the brand’s growth across the kingdom.
The fundamentals of success in hospitality with Evgeny Kuzin
Evgeny Kuzin moved to Dubai when he was 21 years with a dream of building an empire from the ground up. Passionate about hospitality, he made the UAE his second home and focused on bringing well-known luxury concepts to Dubai, and with that experience, he went on to focus on creating home-grown concepts. Today, he is chairman of Fundamental Hospitality.
Paul Stevens named new COO, Middle East, Turkey and Africa of Accor
Managing a fast-growing regional portfolio of strategic significance for Accor, Paul Stevens has been appointed chief operating officer of the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. He will overlook the brand’s premium, midscale and economy division.
The unfathomed luxury of a tourism destination with John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global
In an exclusive interview, John Pagano, the CEO of Red Sea Global, gives us a sneak peek into the ground-breaking regenerative tourism destination The Red Sea and discusses a bold plan to forge a new relationship between luxury tourism and the natural world.
A passion for hospitality with Krystel Irani hotel manager Four Seasons Hotel DIFC
Krystel Irani, the passionate, people-driven hospitality leader at the helm of the Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, believes that people are capable of anything once they believe in themselves. In this interview, the talented hotel manager discusses her journey to the top and what she has planned for the property.
A compelling encounter with the maverick of hospitality Naim Maadad
With over 32 years of experience in the hospitality world across Australia, Asia and the Middle East in various senior management roles, Naim Maadad has launched and operated some of the world’s best hotels, resorts, spas and F&B venues. Here, he discusses the hospitality scene and why sustainability matters more than ever.
