Bani Haddad named among Hozpitality's Best 30 Hospitality and Tourism Leaders in the Middle East for 2023
Bani Haddad, Managing Director, Aleph Hospitality, has been recognized as one of the Best 30 Hospitality and Tourism Leaders in the Middle East by Hozpitality Group.
In 2015, Bani Haddad established Aleph Hospitality, offering a tailored, results-oriented alternative to conventional hotel management models for hotel owners in the Middle East and Africa. With 28 years of experience in the hospitality sector, including 17 dedicated to the Middle East and Africa, Bani brings extensive expertise to his role.
Consistently recognized among the top 10 influential hoteliers in the Middle East, Bani is highly regarded in the industry and renowned as a compelling speaker at various events across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He serves as a partner at Inn-Sight Advisory and contributes as a member of the Advisory Board for the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS, formerly the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference/AHIC) and the African Investment Forum (AHIF). Bani's outstanding achievements were acknowledged in 2022 when he was honored with the title of "Business Leader of the Year" at the MEED SME Awards.
Before founding Aleph, Bani accomplished significant milestones, developing and managing major international hotel brands. As the Regional Vice President of Middle East & Africa for Wyndham Hotel Group, he dramatically expanded the portfolio, overseeing the operation of 49 hotels with 20+ under development, introducing five new brands, and venturing into the African continent. His comprehensive experience encompasses diverse aspects of hotel management, from fundraising and overseeing the development of 40 Holiday Inn Express hotels in the GCC at Hospitality Management Services to pre- and post-opening operations at Starwood and Disneyland Resort Paris.
Under Bani's insightful guidance, Aleph Hospitality has flourished into the leading independent hotel management company in the region. In 2020, a prominent European institutional investor valued the company at USD 20 million and subsequently became a shareholder, underscoring Aleph Hospitality's remarkable success.
Bani holds an MBA from IMHI, a joint program established by Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and ESSEC. Originally from Lebanon, he has called the United Arab Emirates his home since 2005.
Meela Seenarain
Dubai, United Arab Emirates UAE