HOSPITALITY TECH TITANS

THEME-SPIRIT

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Readers:

We are delighted to present to you the inaugural issue of Hospitality Tech Titans , which profiles the engineering expertise – including MEP – enriching the hospitality sector in the Middle East and North Africa region. The personalities that feature in this Special Supplement embody diverse experiences, leadership skills, sophisticated thinking, engineering nous and pioneering mindset, evident from their work, achievements and accolades gathered in the hospitality sector. They have earned renown for fostering teamwork and willingness to understand cutting-edge technologies. They have been instrumental in lowering the emission of greenhouse gases, managing water resources and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) in their respective work spheres. Theirs is a commendable body of work, involving preopenings, renovations and expansions.

We are delighted to present the champions of the hospitality engineering sector, the captains of hospitality tech leadership. Do take some time out to read about their body of work, relevant at a time when the UAE prepares to play host to COP28 and at a time when the GCC region countries are working tirelessly to achieve the objectives of their vision statements, inherent in them being economic growth coupled with lowering of emissions.

Surendar Balakrishnan, Editor, Climate Control Middle East

Mohamed Abdelwahab

Mohamed Abdelwahab is Area Director of Engineering in the Middle East for Minor Hotels, which operates a diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts and serviced suites across the region under several brands, including Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas; Avani Hotels and Resorts; Tivoli Hotels & Resorts; Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites; NH Hotel Group; and The Elewana Collection

With a proven track record of excellence in hotel engineering, Abdelwahab’s career spans more than 30 years since his graduation from Cairo University, Egypt, with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to joining Minor, he managed various large-scale projects in the Middle East and Africa whilst working for Le Meridien, Starwood, Oberoi and Millennium.

A highly skilled and experienced professional, Abdelwahab demonstrates strong leadership and management skills, leading by example in overseeing special projects, proactive maintenance and repair works for all of Minor’s properties in the Middle East.

Abdelwahab has played a key role in implementing sustainability efforts across the organisation’s multiple hotels in the Middle East, through reducing the consumption impressive niche in the realms of hospitality engineering operations and maintenance, and facility-project management. In a storied career, he has contributed to the inauguration of global five-star hotels and resorts. His professional journey has spanned the Asia Pacific and has seen him travel to India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Maldives, Macau SAR and China. He has worked with distinction at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Solaire Resort & Casino Manila, and at STDM Hotels and Investment Limited.

Gouse Am

Gouse AM is Senior Director of Engineering at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai, where he skillfully navigates the pre-opening complexities of the ultra-luxurious mixeduse development that includes a hotel, residences, a marina and quay villas, all spread over a staggering three million square feet of premium real estate.

AM has over two decades of exemplary senior management experience and leadership prowess. He has carved out an

His tenure with STDM, in Macau SAR, saw him handle the twin roles of Regional Director of Property Management and Consultant of Technical Projects. Whilst there, he meticulously orchestrated regional property and facilities management, pre-opening, commissioning and project management, and setting up Group Hospitality Assets in the Greater Bay Area of China and Macau SAR.

At Solaire, AM held the esteemed position of Vice President - Engineering & Facilities Management. The establishment – an integrated, mixed-use development, of single-use plastic and the emission of greenhouse gases, and through aiming for a net-zero goal.

Amongst the many awards and honours he has received during the course of his career, Abdelwahab is particularly proud of the Minor Hotel Group ‘Award of Excellence’, which he won in 2016 and in 2018. He is also a recipient of the Minor Hotel Group ‘Outstanding Sustainability Award’, in 2017. Additionally, he earned recognition for ‘Best Waste Reduction Initiatives’ from Dubai Municipality. And relatively recently – in 2019, to be specific – he was a key contributor in the Anantara the Palm Dubai Resort receiving the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism Award’ from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

He says his mantra for success in life is, “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” spanning six million square feet, and a market leader in the Philippines –comprises a Forbes 5-Star Hotel, a worldclass casino, Michelin-starred F&B outlets, BPO, function rooms and luxury retail stores.

AM’s expertise in managing multifaceted establishments was further cemented during his role as Director of Engineering – Hotel & Residences at Four Seasons Hotel Macao, at the Cotai Strip ® , a mixed-use integrated development, consisting of a luxury hotel, residences, luxury shopping mall, world-class casino, F&B outlets, banquet/function rooms and recreational facilities.

His earlier stints include significant roles at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and The Leela Palace Goa - India, where he began his illustrious journey.

AM is an alumnus of Cornell University - School of Hotel Administration, in the United States, where he procured advanced certification in ‘Strategic Hospitality Management’ and certification in ‘Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management’. He also holds an MBA from the University of South Australia.