Joe Ghayad, general manager of The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, has over 25 years of experience in hospitality. Having earned multiple awards for his leadership, we find out more about Egypt’s hospitality scene and what’s on the horizon.
In your opinion, what are the key qualities and responsibilities of a successful five-star hotel general manager?
In my humble opinion, there are five essential qualities: adaptability, communication, strategic thinking, innovation and, most importantly, empathy. Moreover, in the dynamic and unpredictable world of hospitality, one must be fast, flexible and consistently innovative to stay competitive. At the same time, strategic thinking becomes essential to navigate challenges wisely and turn every situation into a growth opportunity.
Equally important, leaders must communicate effectively and empathetically with all stakeholders to maintain trust, alignment and mutual respect across operations.
As a leader, you’re proudly responsible for the brand, ensuring its reputation remains intact under every decision you take daily. Additionally, you manage valuable assets and deliver promised ROI to hotel owners, who trust your leadership and long-term business judgment. Most importantly, you guide your team, which are the real asset, by supporting, containing and developing them to drive measurable performance and sustained results. Although it isn’t an easy mission, when approached with unwavering passion and genuine dedication, this leadership approach absolutely delivers powerful, lasting outcomes.
What challenges have you faced in your role in Egypt, and how did you address them?
Having previously worked in Montreal, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Doha, Jakarta and Kazakhstan, I eventually arrived in vibrant, ever-evolving Cairo. I was immediately impressed by Cairo’s unmatched dynamism and unique blend of business sectors coexisting within one energetic, fast-paced market. However, the most daunting challenge I’ve faced remains the Covid-19 pandemic, which shook the global tourism industry to its core. In Egypt, though, the pandemic hit differently due to the people’s social nature and the local market’s unique behavioral dynamics. Consequently, the crisis brought a severe and sustained financial impact that tested every aspect of our operational resilience and adaptability. Nevertheless, it ultimately became a defining testament to our strength, flexibility, and commitment during some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. From the very first warning signs, however, the company acted decisively by implementing several immediate and effective precautionary measures company wide. Despite overwhelming challenges, I take immense pride in having led through such tragedy with all dedicated associates fully on board.
Importantly, this experience reinforced my belief that unity, leadership and swift decisions remain vital during moments of extreme adversity. To this day, surviving that crisis with my team remains one of the proudest and most formative chapters in my career.
How are you differentiating The Nile Ritz-Carlton from competitors?
Our market differentiation is due to a combination of core values and beliefs that consistently set our service standards apart from competitiors. Fundamentally, we return to basics by embracing The Ritz-Carlton’s unshakeable heritage and philosophy, driving service excellence and local sustainability initiatives.
The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo distinguishes itself through rich history, elegance and unwavering commitment to genuine care, comfort and fulfilment. Moreover, our iconic downtown Cairo location on the Nile offers extraordinary views of the Egyptian Museum and vibrant Tahrir Square.
Nevertheless, the venue offers largest conference facility complemented by an outdoor space showcasing the Egyptian Museum backdrop for bespoke weddings. Furthermore, our leisure facilities include downtown Cairo’s largest pool with beautiful cabanas overlooking it, providing the truly perfect daycation experience.
What role do you believe Cairo’s hospitality scene will play in the broader growth of tourism in the Middle East and North Africa?
For years, Cairo has been one of the leading cities in the travel and tourism sector in the Middle East and North Africa. It is recognized for its genuine and warm hospitality, breath-taking monuments and attractions. With the country’s increased efforts in investing and fostering travel and tourism, we rest assured that it will only continue to grow and flourish. The most anticipated event is approaching—the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum—which is already drawing global attention to Egypt, not just in the region but around the world.
