Hotelier Middle East earlier unveiled the 100 very best GMs in the Middle East hotel industry in the publication’s General Manager Power 100 2022 list.
The Middle East, and especially Dubai, is known as a global hub of some of the world’s very best hospitality and hotels. Now, amid a post-pandemic economic boom, the UAE’s hotels are set to profit.
Here are 10 of the most powerful hotel bosses in the UAE according to Hotelier Middle East:
Akshay Bajaj
Group General Manager, FIVE Hotels and Resorts
It’s hard to comprehend just how successful FIVE Hotels and Resorts continues to be. The numbers behind its trio of hotels are absolutely staggering, its commitments to sustainability are progressing at a rapid pace, and the GM behind it all has had a meteoric rise in the superstar company.
Group GM Akshay Bajaj was director of front office as recently as 2017, promptly made group GM in 2020 and, two years on, he has steered the hotels to record-breaking highs.
FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village have continued to dominate the hospitality landscape: Total revenue has already seen an increase of 133 percent this year. Brand share in total room revenue has been at an average of 55 percent for both hotels. FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village have consistently ranked #1 in the respective STR comp-set for RevPAR and TrevPAR. On average they are performing at 272% higher than their comp-set.
Guest experience and service is instrumental to FIVE’s success – FIVE Jumeirah Village and FIVE Palm Jumeirah are the two highest-reviewed hotels in Dubai. FIVE Jumeirah Village has 35,790 reviews – the most in the world.
Through his consistent efforts, FIVE Hotels and Resorts maintained a very impressive occupancy rate for FIVE Palm Jumeirah at 93.40 percent while FIVE Jumeirah Village has sustained a remarkable 95 percent occupancy rate bringing the average occupancy between both hotels to a staggering 94.20 percent.
Bajaj isn’t only responsible for rocketing revenues though, he is also an ardent supporter of sustainability.
Under his watch, FIVE has successfully reduced carbon use intensity across both of its Dubai hotels by 43 percent YOY, reduced utility cost per occupied room by 14 percent YOY, and has saved 764 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent GHG emissions by conserving electricity usage.
CEO Aloki Batra shared, “In his role as Group GM, Akshay is an exemplary leader – leading with empathy and discipline – in order to create, develop and maintain an indomitable FIVE Tribe Team Spirit that fuels flawlessly executed operations that ensures the unique and highly-ranked FIVE-styled Customer experience resulting in revenue records being consistently broken.”
Anna Collier
General Manager, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai
Across almost all departments and all KPIs, GM Anna Collier has secured double-digit improvements YOY. In the past 12 months, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai has seen a boost in everything from revenues and GOP, to staff promotions and female representation, to charitable efforts.
Under Collier, the Marriott hotel has seen a 46 percent increase in revenue YOY; a 250 percent increase in net operation income and a 100 percent increase YOY in GOP – a historic high in 2021. In terms of staff, the internal Associate Engagement Survey saw a score of 93 percent this year – one of the highest in the region. Internal transfers and promotions were achieved by 27 percent of the workforce in the last year. As it stands, half of the hotel’s management team are female.
Onto sustainability and CSR, Collier and the team in the last 12 months raised funds for breast cancer research in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation and gave away over 100 food packages during the annual ‘Iftar For Cabs’ initiative during Ramadan.
Under her, there has also been a five percent saving on energy consumption versus 2020, which increased the profit in 2021 by AED250,000. The hotel can also boast a 10 percent increase in recycling which resulted in a reduction in the use of paper and a saving on cans as part of Dubai Municipality’s ‘Can Campaign’, and reduced food waste by 57 percent.
Marriott International vice president full service & luxury franchising Europe, Middle East and Africa, Morten Skumsrud shared: “There are those moments in your career when you partner with someone and you just know it is going to be a fantastic partnership. This is exactly how I felt the first time Anna and I connected and from that moment I just knew I had a true hotelier as one of my new partners. Anna has a plethora of amazing attributes as a leader, but if I had to choose one that truly stands out it would be that of her passion for our industry, for her guests and for her close-knit team on property.
“For Anna hospitality is all about creating that personal connection which makes you feel welcome regardless of the occasion.”
Bill Keffer
Cluster General Manager, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai & Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
Bill Keffer’s leadership qualities have led JW Marriott Marquis Dubai to become one of the most well-known properties in Dubai. Leading the hotel team of over 1,000 associates and more than 50 nationalities, Keffer is responsible for every aspect of this 1,608-room landmark. Keffer and his team adapted the hotel’s sales strategy during the pandemic, diversifying into long-stay business for the hotel as well as reaching out to new markets.
Christan Hoehn
General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
One of Abu Dhabi’s best-known luxury hotels, Christian Hoehn has been fine-tuning his product meticulously in the past 12 months. During this time, the hotel has seen the launch of The Rabdan Villa – a new product hoped to appeal to the most discerning travellers in the capital.
In addition, the GM and his team have recently accepted the application of 20-plus associates into the Marriott Careers Track Programme, each of whom was personally interviewed by the GM, a testament to his passion for ensuring long-term success at his hotel.
Faik El Saadani
General Manager, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Faik El Saadani is not only seen as an incredible manager but he is also seen by those at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island to be an inspiration as to how a hotel should be run. His hard work has improved the standing of the hotel to no end. By introducing new standards of practice and inventive concepts, he has revolutionised how W Abu Dhabi goes about its business leading to a remarkable level of success.
Speaking of El Saadani, Sandeep Walia, chief operating officer said: “I am proud of having a general manager like Faiek on my team with whom I know our brand, hotel, guests and associates are safe and well taken care of come what may.”
Gurnoor Bindra
General Manager, Sheraton Mall of the Emirates
Already featured by Hotelier Middle East this year, Gurnoor Bindra continues to turn heads with her fresh, dynamic, forward-thinking approach to hospitality. Key examples of this are her hotel becoming one of the first Marriotts to partner with Evolvin’ Women; and the hotel’s hosting of this year’s Marriott Business Council in Dubai.
COO Sandeep Walia shared: “Her background of operational innovation certainly has brought a fresh look to the hotel processes and procedures. She has also contributed in multiple ways to Marriott’s Serve 360 programme, giving back to the community and people in need.”
Hakan Ozel
General Manager, Shangri-La Dubai
Hakan Ozel’s contributions as a GM go well beyond his own hotel. Yes, he has over-achieved on GOP by 15 percent and yes, he has driven down staff turnover dramatically. But he has also helped remodel the Shangri-La Circle loyalty programme of the group on a global level and today sits on the Turkish Business Council, Dubai and Northern Emirates for the group.
Regional co-head Kapil Aggarwal reflected: “Throughout the past couple of years, he has shown incredible resilience, determination and adaptability and as a result, the hotel numbers and guest feedback speak for themselves. The hotel also led the ADR growth and recovery within its competitive set, supporting the overall industry’s post-pandemic recovery.”
Nemo Acimovic
General Manager, Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences
This year, general manager Nemo Acimovic has spent his time at the hotel supporting the city and its people as much as he can. For example, over the past year the team has provided 1,500 meals on a daily basis, packed in 7,500 takeaway containers, which made an average of 45,000 meals per month and over one million meals during this period.
Furthermore, the team prepared over 100 meals based on special dietary requirements and individual preferences on a daily basis. Always working to keep team spirits high, this year Acimovic introduced a new internal WhatsApp communication group to recognise the colleagues who’ve been mentioned in online reviews by guests.
Slim Zaiane
General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates
Slim Zaiane leads Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. He drives the hotel to excellence every single day ensuring the ultimate luxury service offering. Over the last 12 months, Zaiane’s duties as GM have not only been defined by upholding the standards of one of Europe’s most historic brands, but also his achievements in sustainability, mentorship and charity.
His skilful leadership and guidance during Expo enabled the hotel to achieve the highest financial performance since the opening of the hotel and has seen the property being placed among the best hospitality experiences not just locally, but also regionally and internationally. His expertise also led the hotel to be the only one in the region to achieve the LEED platinum certification.
Zaiane is also a big supporter of fresh graduates and supports alumni from different international hotel management schools and integrates them into the hotel industry.
He takes time to mentor his senior management that resulted in turnover within the executive committee to drop to its lowest since the hotel opened. In addition to that, Zaiane is currently also volunteering in community projects, where he has teamed up with Red Crescent and Senses residential care centre – a charity fostering the development of people of determination.
Biju Prakash, director asset management hotels at Majid Al Futtaim properties said: “Slim is a seasoned hotelier and continuously leads the Kempinski to excellence. He ensures it remains a landmark in Dubai hospitality, one that delivers great moments to families and guests every day.
“Slim is a delight to work with and has a very dynamic leadership style that focuses on people, profit and long-term value. His business acumen is commercially focused and financially numerate, propelling a business optimised to make the best of shifting market dynamics.
“His capabilities have helped position Kempinski Mall Of The Emirates within the Majid Al Futtaim portfolio as a luxury five-star family and leisure destination. Slim is a truly a one-of-a-kind leader, whose passion and expertise within the hospitality industry is sincerely respected at MAF. Slim ensures that the hotel is always adapting its luxury service offering to the latest hotel trends and guest expectations.”
Thomas Peruzzo
General Manager, Armani Hotel Dubai
Armani Hotel Dubai is an incredibly special property. The only hotel of its kind, GM Thomas Peruzzo is in a privileged position to help define what hospitality looks like when it’s fused with Giorgio Armani’s masterful approach to fashion and lifestyle.
The result, thanks to the efforts of Peruzzo, has been stupendous. In the past 12 months, he has spearheaded several hotel and tourism sector-related initiatives as well as continuing to galvanise the Armani Hotel Dubai team as the industry welcomed a phased return to positive business levels.
Under his leadership, the hotel added 30 new awards to its achievements roster in 2022. Culinary wins have been a highlight with the multi-award-winning Armani/Ristorante one of just three UAE restaurants to be awarded three toques in the Gault&Millau UAE Guide 2022, as well as receiving a prized Michelin star in the first Michelin Guide Dubai.
Further F&B success was recognised at this year’s Caterer Middle East Awards, with the team taking home Outside Catering Team of the Year for its commitment to quality, creativity and organisational excellence across numerous high-profile events. In terms of wider commercial success, the hotel’s Ramadan Tent was the most successful Ramadan venue for 2022 according to the team.
Looking at sustainability, cost control and food waste management have been an ongoing key focus under his leadership, with the hotel’s own in-house programme covering a number of critical areas. These include the partnership with UAE Food Bank, with 15,000 to 17,000 meals donated in the past 12 months, food waste composting of 55,000 kg, and the decision to serve certain buffet items as individual portions to reduce wastage.
“Thomas Peruzzo’s character exemplifies him as a leader and one of his strongest passions is building strong foundations for young leaders. Through one-on-one mentoring, he is empowering leaders within his team and across the company to grow and achieve their goals,” shared an Armani Hotel Dubai colleague when recalling their year with the GM.
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