Hiring foreign managers to run Egyptian hotels is commonplace and there are actually few Egyptian hotel general managers. Haitham Nassar was able to break into the field and recently became one of the youngest general managers when he took the helm of the Ramses Hilton Hotel.
As the new general manager, Nassar is neither intimidated nor overwhelmed. “I used to work here years ago, and to be honest, I just feel like I’ve come back home, he said smilingly.
Nassar was appointed as the new general manager by Mahmoud Mokhtar, the country manager for Egypt hotel operations, on August 1, 2008.
Before his recent appointment, Nassar held several managerial positions in Luxor Hilton, Nile Hilton, and Hilton Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. His was most recently the general manager of Hilton Sharm Dreams Resort.
“When I got this position, I felt excited, but at the same time, it was a challenge because Hilton is the biggest hotel in this region, Nassar said.
Dedication can take you anywhere, Nassar said as he recounted how he worked his way to the top. He began his hospitality career in 1992, working in the Ramses Hilton as a receptionist. He was promoted to senior receptionist four months later. “I got my promotion before I had even finished my probation period, he added.
Hard work pays off, this is his mantra and an idea he talks about tirelessly with his staff. “[Hard work] is the most important thing, provided you have the commitment and dedication, you will get somewhere.
Speaking of the quality of employees at the international hotel chain, Nassar said, “Do you know how many combined years of experience we have in this Hilton? 100,000 years at least. These people are true professionals, and everyone who works here is good at what they do, no matter what there job is.
Having a family spirit is crucial to the success of any workplace. “What you see before you is not just a professional team, everyone knows everyone here. We are truly like a big family, said Nassar.
With 21 years of working and managing hotels under his belt, Nassar is not short of experience in the hospitality industry, but just what is it that fascinates him about the hotel business so much? He managed to answer my question with just one word: “People.
“You meet different characters, from different industries. You see celebrities, politicians and experience different cultures. You tour and see the whole world within your hotel, he added.
“There is so much talent in Egypt that the businesses of today need to consider, and companies like the Hilton gave us a chance to show our potential. Now it’s our turn to give the new generation of Egyptians a chance. We care about people regardless of their nationality, Nassar said.
There are 17 Hilton hotels in Egypt with number 18 already in the pipeline.
“Starting next year, we will revamp the whole hotel and give it a fresh new look, he said.
Hilton, he said, has done plenty to boost tourism in Egypt. “It has expanded in portfolio and we are the biggest chain. We work closely with the Ministry of tourism to cover all the major spots that attract tourists. The Hilton was the first to open in Dahab, Borg El Arab, and Taba; we took the lead, he said proudly.
The Hilton may be one of the biggest hotel chains in Egypt, but competition is getting fierce.
“Competition will enhance and help tourism grow in Egypt; it will give people a variety. Competition is healthy and of course we try to always be in the lead and we are. The Business Development Research Consultants, BDRC, recently named us as the number one hotel. Besides, it is always good to see what the competition is doing and try to stay one step ahead.
The Hilton was voted as the number one hotel brand in Western Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America by the BDRC hotel business guest surveys in 2007.
“The key is to find the right product. Give variety, we have to try and find a balance between extreme luxury and budget hotels, he explained.
Nassar added, “Egypt needs new ideas to be injected into our culture. The Ministry of Tourism is currently doing a lot about developing the hotel industry and as long as we are all going in the same direction, we will get there.
