What defines an accomplished hotelier?
It is all about staying connected to investors, partners, guests and employees to find a balance that ensures their expectations are always aligned.
What is your mantra?
Nothing is impossible. Passion is the key to success.
What motivates you to be successful?
I measure success by three indicators: satisfied guests; passionate, inspired employees; and exceptional financial results.
What has been your biggest professional achievement to date?
Leading the company to recovery during one of the most challenging times for our industry was definitely a highlight, as was the opening of Edge Creekside Hotel during the pandemic.
You have been credited with introducing various performance development and expansion initiatives at Jannah Hotels and Resorts. What have you learned in your near 30-year career?
When I first ventured into the industry, it was due to pure passion. It is this passion that is the main driver for all the successes throughout my career; the passion to challenge existing systems, to be innovative, to accept a transformational approach, to achieve great results, to introduce new concepts and to not forget the details in this journey.
How were you able to manage the company during such a challenging year?
In difficult times as in good times, the key to overcoming challenges is in engaging openly with the team and making sure they know that we are all in this together. While we had to ride out the first phase with a clear recovery plan, this ensured the team’s focus, and we succeeded in getting back on track without any redundancies
How do you foresee the hospitality landscape post Covid-19?
Although I wish that travel would return to how it was pre Covid-19, I believe that we will see a greater emphasis placed on hygiene at all touchpoints throughout the journeys we take.
Do you have any new projects in the pipeline?
We have drafted a 10-year growth strategy with plans to expand both domestically and internationally. We are in talks with investors in various markets, primarily in Asia and Africa. The Covid-19 situation has delayed the process slightly, but we are confident we will close some deals in 2021. As for our existing portfolio, we are in the process of launching various food and beverage concepts as well as considering renovation plans so that our hotels remain competitive.
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.
