A veteran in the hospitality industry, Elite Hospitality Group’s Chief Operating Officer shares the highlights of his professional role and positive changes in the Kingdom.

You have been in the hospitality industry for more than 40 years. What first attracted you to this field?
Though I studied biochemistry, my passion has always been hotels. The hotel industry is the most dynamic line of business with the most diversified operations. Hospitality has always been, to me, an art of serving, an art of communication and connecting. By nature, I am a people’s person that cares, shares and connects with all around me be it my team, my investors, my clients or our business partners and vendors. I believe in continuous evolution. I am passionate about technologies which assist in improving our standards and services. The hospitality industry is a world full of challenges that enables you to create, innovate and develop. It allows you to see your own and other people’s dreams become reality, whether it is a new hotel or a new outlet or facility. As a hotelier I have an opportunity daily to excel and improve.

The Elite Hospitality Group is a well-known name in the Kingdom. Please tell us about the company’s properties and what makes your portfolio stand out.
We are a home-grown hospitality brand, one of the first, in Bahrain since the early ‘90s. All our hotels are unique in being all-suite properties offering space combined with facilities which suit both short- and long-term guests; be it families or leisure and business travellers. We cover it all! All our hotels are V- or U-shaped, which gives the best views from most rooms. Elite Resort & Spa is blessed to have a sea view from all of its suites. Elite Seef Residence & Hotel has an amazing and special poolside outlet Captain Jack’s with lovely landscaping, and Elite Crystal Hotel offers some of the best night clubs.

What does a typical day look like for you?
My day begins by reviewing all night reports and financials from our various properties. My schedule at the office is always busy with back-to-back meetings internally with my colleagues. Along with meetings with potential and existing clients and existing partners. I directly oversee our e-commerce segment. Also I check ongoing progress on various operational matters and market development and growth. Discussing and evaluating new opportunities with my team along with proposals, analysing the latest market trends and reviewing prospective partners and more. Every minute is exciting!

What are the biggest challenges of your role and how do you overcome these?
The major challenge in the hotel industry is to have a winning edge that makes you stronger in a very competitive market. Bahrain competes with markets including the UAE, Oman and now even KSA. As COO, my role is to understand the pressures of operations on my team and to support rather than lead, it’s a 24 x 7 need. Our module of hotels has very often been replicated, that’s why we keep on updating and adapting new technologies based on market trends and demands. The key is planning with positive adaptation towards change.

You have been in Bahrain for almost 20 years, what are the greatest positive changes you have witnessed?
I have witnessed in the last 20 years a significant growth in Bahrain. Bahrain has emerging markets, which create a great opportunity to expand further especially since we have major international events, such as F1, and other major sports events and exhibitions which attract international players, such as Ironman and various other cultural events. I strongly believe that the many partnerships between the government and private sector will enable us more to support Bahrain’s economy and growth. With our tourism sector now becoming an independent ministry, we hope to participate in exploring ideas with the Tourism Ministry, to help Bahrain perform better. ✤