Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 29 December, 2015 2:20 pm |

The crème de la crème of the travel industry gathered at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco on the 12th December 2015 to honour individuals and companies for their distinctive contribution to international hospitality at the acclaimed Grand Final of World Travel Awards 2015.  Guests of honour at the event included Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Dr Lahcen Haddad and Maldives Minister of Tourism Mr Moosa Zameer.

Renowned as an industry hallmark of excellence, the awards celebrate the personalities and commercial successes of the travel industry. At the 2015 Gala Ceremony, the World Travel Awards Academy presented a unique and celebrated honour to Hussein Hatata, Vice President, Hospitality Division - Al Khozama Management Company, whom they considered to be one of the industry’s most influential characters. 

Named as the ‘World's Leading Exemplary Hotel Personality’, Hatata has been formally recognised for his distinctive contribution to hospitality excellence over the past years.

Hatata is a seasoned hospitality professional with almost four decades of experience. Over the last 10 years, Hatata has been instrumental in developing and activating the Al Khozama’s expansion strategy at a domestic and international level.  A holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management, after studying at Lausanne Hotel Management School, Hatata has completed management programmes at Cornell University, U.S., and the American Hotel & Motel Association hotel operations programme.  

On this occasion, Hatata commented:  “It is with great honour that I receive the award bestowed on me by the World Travel Awards Academy. I have long admired the World Travel Awards as an institution and recognise the value and accreditation it brings to the industry. Throughout my career I have been privileged to work within an excellent team and witness the great strides and developments within the hospitality industry. With strong backing from the company’s board of directors, chairman and the president, and a diversification of the hospitality products on offer, we look forward to further expanding our presence regionally and internationally.”

 

President of the World Travel Awards, Mr Graham Cooke added these comments about Mr Hatata and the award:  “This special award recognises Hatata’s contribution as ‘equal to a company’. His visionary approach has made it possible for the group to have 10 properties under its hotel management portfolio. In April this year, he seamlessly integrated the company’s three owned properties into the management portfolio after negotiating a successful transition.  His continuous contributions to hospitality excellence have transformed the hospitality offerings in general in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region. Although he has completed 37 years with the same organisation, he continues to play a strategic role with a clear vision in driving Al Khozama’s ambitious expansion strategy into key cities across the Kingdom and beyond.”

Al Khozama Management Company is Saudi Arabia's leading luxury hospitality and property development and management company. It currently owns and manages Al Faisaliah Hotel, Al Faisaliah Suites and Hotel Al Khozama in Riyadh.  Al Faisaliah Suites is the first and only dedicated all-suite hotel in the heart of the capital city featuring 106 opulent suites, exclusive ladies spa – Al Faisaliah Spa by ESPA and the open kitchen restaurant – La Cucina.  Al Faisaliah Suites is the proud winner of two awards at the World Travel Awards Grand Final event in Morocco. 

Al Khozama also manages Al Shohada Hotel and Manazel Al Ain Grand Hotel in Makkah; Bay La Sun Hotel and Marina in King Abdullah Economic City; and Al Bustan Residences in Riyadh. Al Khozama is scheduled to open the city’s first resort in the second quarter of 2016, and management agreement has been signed to operate two more properties in Al Khobar.