The Middle East’s most powerful hotelier has been named as Selim El Zyr, the man behind Rotana hotels.

The businessman, who co-founded the Middle East’s first hotel chain 17 years ago and has since turned it into an international success, beat 49 other industry names to the top slot in the Hotelier Middle East Power 50 list.

The ranking, which comprises both Arabs and expats, is the magazine’s take on who are the most powerful players in the region’s hotel sector.

Other industry figures who came within the top 10 include, Gerald Lawless, the executive chairman of Jumeirah Group, Saif Mohamed Al Hajer, chairman of Abu Dhabi National Hotels, and Joe Sita, CEO Nakheel Hotels.

Compiling the first Hotelier Middle East Power 50

The Hotelier Middle East Power 50 is a round-up of the people working in the regional hospitality industry that Hotelier Middle East believes to be the most powerful through their influence on the sector in 2009 and their commitment to its growth and development over the years.

The list comprises both Arab nationals and expatriates, with many recommended to Hotelier Middle East by industry peers and company colleagues, while others have made their impact through iconic architecture or ever-expanding asset portfolios.

Hotelier Middle East has not included politicians or members of royal families in the Power 50, but recognises the visionary influence and power of these individuals who have helped shape the tourism and hospitality landscape for years to come.

To name just a few, Hotelier Middle East acknowledges the contributions of the following members of the Middle East’s ruling royal families:  His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president and Ruler of Abu Dhabi,  King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Head of the House of Saud and Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities chairman and president HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Finally, the ranking of the Power 50 is entirely subjective, according to the opinion of Hotelier Middle East. We would welcome your feedback, so please contact louise.oakley@itp.com with your views.

This article is courtesy of Hotelier Middle East. For more information on the Power 50, please visit HotelierMiddleEast.com.

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