Zaher Mohammed Al-Ajjawi – CEO of National Hotels Company (NHC), parent company of The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residences & Spa, Manama, talks pandemic recovery, green initiatives and more.

Your background is in finance, how did you become involved with NHC and how would you say working in the hospitality sector differs from your other roles?
My finance background exposed me to a number of sectors globally, including the hospitality sector. Identifying and exploring investment opportunities, setting business strategies and plans, business restructuring and realignment has always been part of my career and definitely my passion.
I was hired by NHC to continue the journey that the shareholders have started, and to assist the board in steering the company’s growth plans within the sector and deliver on the company’s strategy.
The hospitality sector teaches you to focus on the finer details and the quality of service. It is not only about the numbers and financial returns, but about ensuring that your guests are satisfied with your service and feel valued and right at home.

Do you see the sector in Bahrain recovering from the effects of the pandemic? How was the performance of The Diplomat Radisson Blu during the past two years? And how long do you estimate it will take for hospitality to return to pre-covid performance?
It just takes a drive on the roads or a visit to the malls, restaurants and other venues in the country to see the signs and to know that the economy is recovering. The number of visitors has increased, and so have the occupancy rates at the different hotels.
The performance of the Diplomat Radisson Blu over the course of the last two years was quite strong. We managed to achieve consistent operational profits, despite the challenges faced. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the government authorities and shareholders, as well as the hotel team’s relentless efforts and understanding.
Sector data and intelligence indicates that hotel performance will return to pre-covid levels by 2024. However, the growth in supply and initiatives undertaken until then would have to be factored in and reflected in this estimate.

What are NHC’s & Radisson’s plans for the future?
There’s plenty to anticipate and to be excited about, but the details cannot be disclosed at this stage.
NHC is pursuing its approved growth strategy and is planning to collaborate with different entities / stakeholders within the Kingdom in doing so. Further enhancements and improvements to the property and the services are also to be expected.

In line with the Crown Prince’s recent announcement of the aim for carbon neutrality in Bahrain by 2060, what steps are NHC and Radisson already taking and planning to help achieve this?
Environmental awareness has always been pivotal in what we do at NHC. The company has taken, and continues to take, steps to contribute to the reduction of any negative impact on the environment. The use of energy-saving lights and refrigerant gas for the air-conditioning are some of the small steps taken to date. The company is also exploring the use of solar and wind energy to contribute to its power consumption.
Through the ‘Carbon Negative. Planet Positive’ initiative, Radisson Hotel Group has set a new sustainability standard in the global hospitality industry and is becoming the world’s first hotel group to make meetings and events carbon negative.
This campaign will help us strengthen our positioning as a leading brand for sustainable meetings and events.

On a more personal level, what do you like to do when you are not working?
I like to spend my time with my family or work in my garden. An occasional de-stressing dip in the pool and barbecue during the summer season is also something that I enjoy doing with my family and friends.

What is one thing you would recommend all visitors to the Kingdom to see or try?
Recommending one thing might be unfair! There is plenty to see and do in Bahrain.
The country is rich in its culture and heritage, so a visit to the several archaeological and historic sites, as well as the national museum, is a must. The traditional souqs and modern malls present a pleasurable shopping experience. There are also plenty of restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines to try and several nice beaches to visit.
To sum it up, indulge in the country’s culture, meet its friendly people and explore what it has to offer. And to do so, your journey has to start from The Diplomat Radisson Blu.