Sultan Al Otaibi
CEO, Dur Hospitality
dur.sa/en
If you were to summarize your career in one sentence, what would you say?
The hospitality industry has gone through numerous changes over the past years imposed by emerging technologies, trends and events, most prominently the Covid-19 pandemic. Shifting guest perceptions and preferences have taught us to embrace dynamism, flexibility and innovation to rapidly adapt to those changes and stay relevant and successful.
What is your most eagerly anticipated project?
We take pride in all of our projects, especially the Marriott DQ Hotel. Regarded as the first Golden LEED-certified hotel in KSA, it sets the standards for green and sustainable hospitality in Saudi Arabia, a key aspect that we are continually striving to incorporate into all our strategies and offerings.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I place the greatest emphasis on employee engagement, motivation, and inclusivity by ensuring that all of our teams are presented with a positive work environment and enriching training opportunities to nurture their career development and maximize satisfaction and loyalty. Empowered employees mean greater productivity and enhanced creativity, ultimately leading to outstanding success.
What is your biggest career achievement to date?
Achieving continued growth for Dur, directing the development of countless noteworthy projects and successfully navigating the company during the pandemic to swiftly adopt avant-garde sanitation practices and a heightened integration of digital transformation, thus positioning Dur and the overall Saudi hospitality industry as an example of sector excellence.
Where does the company stand in terms of its growth trajectory and its strategy for the MENA region?
KSA is an emerging business and leisure destination, enjoying a unique pilgrimage market where Dur is focused on expanding its dedicated Makarem Hotels brand. We seek to meet an anticipated spike in demand while offering top-notch services that cater to religious tourists in the kingdom’s holy cities as well as the domestic market and anticipated international guests.
UPCOMING PROJECTS IN THE MENA REGION
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.
