Rising to the challenge with Bassam Zakaria of Dusit International
An award-winning hospitality professional with over two decades of experience at prestigious hotels across Europe and the Middle East, Bassam Zakaria is passionate about fostering teamwork, particularly in his current role as area general manager of Dusit International. We caught up with him to learn more about his responsibilities, how he handles challenges and the trends shaping decision making at Dusit.
Women leaders in hospitality with Maram Kokandi, hotel manager at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
Maram Kokandi, who achieved recognition as KSA’s first female general manager, is now hotel manager at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh. In this exclusive interview, she discusses the key challenges, opportunities and developments regarding women in hospitality leadership positions.
In the driving seat: Nadine Al Bulushi, GM of Kempinski Muscat
Nadine Al Bulushi is the first Omani woman to be appointed general manager of a hotel in the country. We caught up with her at Kempinski Hotel Muscat, where she is leading the team.
An exclusive tour of Holiday Inn & Suites Kuwait Salmiya with GM Saif Eddin Mohammed
Saif Eddin Mohammed, general manager of Holiday Inn & Suites Kuwait Salmiya, has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. While providing us with an exclusive tour of the hotel, he shared some exciting news and plans for the property.
Eye on Bahrain with Mark Brown, GM of Royal Saray Resort
We chatted with Mark Brown, general manager of Royal Saray Resort, to obtain an insider’s perspective on Bahrain’s hospitality scene.
Eying the Middle East market with Paul Bridger, COO of Rove Hotels
COO Paul Bridger outlines Rove Hotels expansion plans and how the brand has carved a niche in the competitive mid-market segment.
LEVA Hotels’ expansion plans with founder and CEO JS Anand
JS Anand, founder and CEO of LEVA Hotels, was recognized as one of Forbes’ Top Travel and Tourism Leaders in 2023. With over 20 years of influential experience in hospitality, the visionary leader details LEVA Hotels’ expansion in the Middle East.
Showcasing authentic Indian hospitality with Puneet Chhatwal
In an exclusive interview with Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and CEO of IHCL, we explore the group’s focus on expanding in the Middle East, their latest developments and key trends in luxury hospitality.
Destination New Alamein with Tamer Saleh, GM of Palma Bay Rotana Resort
The newly opened Palma Bay Rotana Resort in Egypt has a dynamic GM at its helm. Indeed, Tamer Saleh has over 20 years of experience in hospitality and has won multiple awards over the course of his career. Here, he discusses the unique aspects of the property and discusses Egypt’s evolving hospitality scene.
Championing sustainability with Mohamed Hawwam, general manager of Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Mohamed Hawwam, GM of Sofitel Dubai Downtown, is a seasoned hospitality professional. Advocating human-first leadership and driven by a passion for integrity, excellence and sustainability, he emphasizes the role luxury hotels should play in promoting environmental sustainability.
