Mark Willis
CEO Accor India, Middle East,
Africa & Turkey
all.accor.com
If you were to summarize your career in one sentence, what would you say?
Exciting and ever evolving. Having started in the kitchen as a chef, I have had the privilege of working my way up through a number of departments and roles.
What is your most eagerly anticipated project?
For 2021, Raffles the Palm Dubai, which is scheduled to open in Q3.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Transparency and empowerment are the main traits I like to implement when managing a team. As a leader, you need to trust the teams you have hired and rely on their expertise as you focus on the overarching strategy and look ahead.
What is your motto?
We are in the business of making people smile.
Where does the company stand in terms of its growth trajectory and its strategy for the MENA region?
Overall regional statistics:
Current portfolio:
• 402 hotels
• 86,000+ keys
Hotel openings 2021:
• Total openings IMEA:
– 38 hotels
– 9,000+ keys
• Total Openings Middle East:
– 18 hotels
– 6,000+ keys
MENA portfolio:
• 218 hotels
• 57,000+ keys
MENA pipeline:
• 122 hotels
• 35,000+ keys
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.
