In his memoir, which includes a number of achievements such as his role as hospitality and tourism advisor, hospitality arbitrator and member of the board of directors of the International Hotel & Restaurant Association Arbitration Center, Najia recounts his journey, founding, operating and managing several entities and establishments.
The decorated hospitality professional has received a number of prestigious awards, including a medal of merit from Académie Française de Cuisine and a recognition award from Kuwait Humanitarian and Friendship Society. He has also been recognized by the World Tourism Organization.
Najia’s experience in the sector spans decades. He was instrumental in negotiating many large projects, such as the Hilton Kuwait Resort; Copthorne Hotel and Resort – Al Jahra, Kuwait, Novotel Makkah Mashaer Hotel, Hotel Al Maqam Tower Makkah, Dar Al Medina Project in Medina and Intercontinental Hotel and Resort in Dana Bay, Al Khobar, KSA.
Reflecting on his career, Najia said: “The hospitality and tourism sector has received great praise. However, my experience working in the sector has enabled me to discover that success is also about believing in human values and not in making profit only, increasing assets and popularity in a world where countries and continents are closer than ever before in trade, investments and global tourism.
After 40 years in the business, I have come to the conclusion that serving guests, visitors and tourists, whether in restaurants, hotels, resorts, airlines or travel facilities, is more than just a duty and even more than material gains that are measured by numbers and return on investments. As long as leaders in this industry consider hospitality and tourism as a long-term social investment, they will continue to feel as if they are creating a world that is magical and rewarding at the same time.”
Commenting on the book, Ghazi F. Alnafisi, chairman of the Kuwait Hotel Owners Association, said: “This book highlights the fact that Mohamed is an example to us all. His journey, contributions and successes are indispensable to the story of the tourism and hospitality industry when referenced in writings regionally and globally.”
To read the book, click here.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
