SERVICE INDUSTRY LEADERS IN SAUDI ARABIA
How is the current Saudi hospitality/catering landscape? The Saudi market is getting open to the world with their new vision 2030 Based on your personal experience, where should candidate start if they want to work in Saudi Arabia? For me, the best places to work are Riyadh, Al Khobar or Jeddah. What is your current position and what does it involve? I recently I changed my job as a consultant at NEOM. It is quite challenging and a new stream for me to learn and prove my capabilities Where are you originally from and what background do you have? I am originally from India and have been working in Middle East for a while. I studied a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and completed a Master’s in Business Management in finance and sales What made you choose to relocate to or work in Saudi Arabia? I moved to Saudi Arabia from Qatar because of the brand I was working at previously, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (now Marriott International) and change of position. How it is to live in Saudi Arabia? In spite of some restrictions, it’s a very good place to show your calibre
Was it a complicated process? The only challenging aspect was to get a visa, but I got there in the end with patience and perseverance. What are the biggest benefits of living and working in Saudi Arabia? You can save some money. This is the hidden truth why a few choose to work here Where do you see tourism, hospitality and catering in Saudi Arabia in the next five years? It will be one of the leaders with the new vision of the Kingdom 10 Any piece of advice for anyone wanting to relocate in Saudi? Do not listen to people and restrictions. The people of Saudi have changed and are educated. They respect their job and colleagues.
investors went to small businesses with the idea of expanding the concepts. How is the current Saudi hospitality/catering landscape? The Saudi market is still missing the touch with fine dining service; however, a lot of improvements are being carried to attract tourist and local clients who love the top end operations and luxury dining
What is your current position and what does it involve? Currently working COO at Resorts Holding, managing two franchises, one of them is a Lebanese quick service restaurant and the second, a Chilean steak sandwich concept Where are you originally from and what background do you have? I’m originally from Lebanon and I am coming from a hospitality background. I am an expert in casual dining restaurants, hotels... What made you choose to relocate to or work in Saudi Arabia? I have been living in Saudi Arabia since 2010 with my family and I choose to relocate here to have stable life and build a good career How it is to live in Saudi Arabia? The hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia has gone through many changes after 2016 and, from my point of view, a lot of
Based on your personal experience, where should candidate start if they want to work in Saudi Arabia? Riyadh is definitely my first option Was it a complicated process? In a few words, nothing was complicated What are the biggest benefits of living and working in Saudi Arabia? Altogether, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a stable economy Where do you see tourism, hospitality and catering in Saudi Arabia in the next five years? Riyadh, Nyom , Jeddah , Dammam
from 2013 - 2017. Relocating to KSA was fine for me as I too would take the opportunity to get involved in the country's goals to empower women and that they are expanding the Leisure and Tourism industry and I am proud to be affiliated to this cause. How it is to live in Saudi Arabia?
What is your current position and what does it involve? General Manager for Saudi's and World's First Ladies Only Water Theme Park Where are you originally from and what background do you have? Where are you originally from and what background do you have? I am from my beloved country Malaysia. My experience starting at the age of 19 was in Recreation and Leisure. In 1997 I started my career in the Theme Park Industry right until present. A total of almost 30 years of experience. What made you choose to relocate to or work in Saudi Arabia? Being a Muslim, I was excited to relocate to KSA and the opportunity that came was rare for me as I am to be managing Saudi and World's First Ladies Only Waterpark. A new pre-opening project that excited me to consider and take up the role. I too have experience in the middle east before KSA as I was also involved in a project located in Qatar
While the country has opened up, there are still certain restrictions but overall, it has been exciting for me. The country is really growing and being professional as well in many areas hence living conditions are very good indeed. How is the current Saudi hospitality/catering landscape? The industry is certainly growing especially over the next 3-5 years. Existing hotels are performing well and new hotels are in development stages. The government's vision 2030 will ensure these industries will continue to grow very fast. Based on your personal experience, where should candidate start if they want to work in Saudi Arabia? In my opinion, expert level candidates are required for several sectors but moving forward the goal by the government is to nationalise most jobs to their citizens. You will need to conduct research on what kind of jobs are focused towards nationalised and only for Saudi candidates. Was it a complicated process? It’s not really complicated
What are the biggest benefits of living and working in Saudi Arabia? For me as a Muslim, I am able to visit Mecca, perform my Umrah and god willing my Hajj as well. In terms of my career, I really benefited as I was picked to manage Saudi and World's First Ladies Only Waterpark and that I was able to recruit, guide and empower Saudi Ladies in being part of this organization and Park. It's something very new for them and the country as well. Where do you see tourism, hospitality and catering in Saudi Arabia in the next five years? The industry is set to grow rapidly at a level seen in the UAE. This is a guarantee. The government's effort in having high-end events and world class event would certainly propel the industry to greater heights Any piece of advice for anyone wanting to relocate in Saudi? If there is any opportunity for anyone to come into Saudi, take it without hesitation. Contribute the professionalism to the local manpower market and enjoy the country while living in it as it would certainly be a new experience as a whole
Based on your personal experience, where should candidate start if they want to work in Saudi Arabia? To be in a safe zone it is best to start with hospitality. Was it a complicated process? No really but it can take at least 40 to 55 days. What are the biggest benefits of living and working in Saudi Arabia? What is your current position and what does it involve? I’m Vice President of Operation & Quality and I’m involved in all hospitality projects from hotels, restaurants, events & pop ups. Where are you originally from and what background do you have? I am originally from Italy and my background is in Food & Beverage. What made you choose to relocate to or work in Saudi Arabia? The 2030 KSA Vision and also new challenges How it is to live in Saudi Arabia? For me, it is great, especially knowing that I have a family package and 2 days off a week. How is the current Saudi hospitality/catering landscape? It is growing out of all proportion and very fast
Save money and improve your career. Where do you see tourism, hospitality and catering in Saudi Arabia in the next five years? If the country continues in this direction, it will go far but maybe I would say in the next 8 years Any piece of advice for anyone wanting to relocate in Saudi? We must understand the culture, their time and their customs well
How is the current hospitality/catering landscape?
Saudi
There are loads of opportunities to do things really well, still on its initial phase. Based on your personal experience, where should candidate start if they want to work in Saudi Arabia? Learning about the culture, accept what it is and embrace the challenges. It is a diverse and beautiful place. I was headhunted to come here, so I don't really know where to start. Maybe learning a bit of Arabic helps. It is also important to have one's degree translated and attested by the local What is your current position and what Education Council and recognized by Saudi Embassy. does it involve? I am Director of People Development for Nahdi Medical Company. I manage/lead the Training & Development of 10,000 people with a team of 30 Training Pharmacists and Doctors. My 30 years of experience in L&D gives me the gravitas to implement innovative solution for the business.
Was it a complicated process? My process was easy as I had a sponsor from the start. What are the biggest benefits of living and working in Saudi Arabia?
Where are you originally from and what It is a country which is starting opening up, there are huge opportunities here, background do you have? especially in hospitalities, but you need to I was born in Brazil and finished my studies be really great in what you can deliver. in UK where I started working in hospitality and lived there for over 20 years. I am also Where do you see tourism, hospitality and catering in Saudi Arabia in the next half Italian. five years? What made you choose to relocate to or That where the opportunities are, the sky is work in Saudi Arabia? the limits. An opportunity to move from hospitality to aviation industry. I was living the UAE for 3 Any piece of advice for anyone wanting to relocate in Saudi? years before I moved to KSA. How it is to live in Saudi Arabia? Great - I love learning about different cultures, and I love what I my profession.
Make sure you understand the law of the land and the dos and don’ts.
How is the current Saudi hospitality/catering landscape? Its growing exponentially with the events, festivals planned by the government to move away from Oil revenue for the government. Based on your personal experience, where should candidate start if they want to work in Saudi Arabia? Now the new properties are coming in Al Ula, Neom, Red Sea Development company. What is your current position and what does it involve? I am currently positioned as Director Revenue Management for Fairmont Riyadh Hotel for their Total Hotel Revenue Management role.
Was it a complicated process? No, as the international brands go for head-hunters for managerial and up positions. What are the biggest benefits of living and working in Saudi Arabia?
Where are you originally from and what background do you have?
Higher pay scale to attract the experienced talent, less Taxes compared to EU & US
I am from Hyderabad, India, I did my Bachelors in Hotel Management, Masters in Sales & Marketing and holds CHRMCertified Hotel Revenue Manager from AHLEI
Where do you see tourism, hospitality and catering in Saudi Arabia in the next five years?
What made you choose to relocate to or work in Saudi Arabia? After my short spells in Dubai with Front Desk at Sheraton and Reservation with Apart Hotel, I got this break with Rosewood hotels in Riyadh a luxury and chain hotel. How it is to live in Saudi Arabia? Easy and lively for expats
With new destinations getting created and government decided to have tourism as another stream for revenues, this sector have good scope for the next 3-5 years. Any piece of advice for anyone wanting to relocate in Saudi? Have genuine care for the customers (Local & International) as majority of them have experienced luxury around the world and they recognize the genuine service and talent.
How is the current hospitality/catering landscape?
Saudi
The hospitality landscape here is the most vibrant and energetic I have seen ever in my whole life. Based on your personal experience, where should candidate start if they want to work in Saudi Arabia? Riyadh is a good city due it being 100km across and with the same population as London, so it can feel familiar. Jeddah is nice due to the coastal city and Al Khobar is great because of its close proximity to Bahrain means weekend road trips a big What is your current position and what plus. does it involve? Was it a complicated process? Director of Hospitality Operations, it involves design, construction and operating Process in not complicated but you can save yourself a lot of time by planning your of fine dining restaurants paperwork. Example a police report from Where are you originally from and what ACRO can take 30 days in the UK so it’s great to get it done early so it doesn't hold background do you have? up the process. I am originally from the UK and my background has been 20 years in hospitality What are the biggest benefits of living and working in Saudi Arabia? What made you choose to relocate to or Biggest benefits are the ability to save work in Saudi Arabia? money, focus on work and enjoy the I relocated because of this exciting project positive mental health that comes for and the appetite from consumers here is perpetual sunshine. very high. How it is to live in Saudi Arabia? Living in Saudi is peaceful, the weather is always nice, you have great opportunities to invest in your health and exercise. I am in the best shape of my life due to living here. Saudis are very friendly and like to socialize with people and make great efforts to know more about you and invite you into their life also.
Where do you see tourism, hospitality and catering in Saudi Arabia in the next five years? Tourism will take time and will start with NEOM, hospitality will continue to expand greatly with all the worlds international brands opening up to Saudi under the new relaxed regulations that encourage foreign investment. The sale of alcohol and other changes will see this growth increase further still. Any piece of advice for anyone wanting to relocate in Saudi? Advice: moving to any country takes time to adapt, don't make up your mind after 90 days, it can take a year to fully integrate into a new society. Don't compare everything with home and try to integrate with the local Saudi people, they will help you more than you can imagine.