Haitham Mattar named among Hozpitality's Best 30 Hospitality and Tourism Leaders in the Middle East for 2023
Haitham Mattar, the Managing Director for MEA & South West Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, has been recognized as one of the Best 30 Hospitality and Tourism Leaders in the Middle East by Hozpitality Group.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director for India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) at IHG Hotels & Resorts, is entrusted with spearheading the growth and fortification of IHG and its extensive portfolio of hotels throughout the region. His responsibilities include overseeing the operations and performance of a remarkable 180+ hotels and strategically developing IHG's plans, boasting a robust pipeline of over 130 hotels. A critical aspect of his position entails nurturing relationships with government stakeholders, tourism bodies, and the owner community across various markets.
Previously, Haitham served as the Senior Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, where he played a pivotal role in advising on the National Tourism Strategy and executing the commercial tourism strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a premier global tourism destination. Prior to this, he held the esteemed position of CEO at the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. Under his leadership, Ras Al Khaimah underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving into one of the world's fastest-growing adventure destinations.
With a wealth of experience spanning over 27 years in global destination and hospitality management and marketing, Mattar has held senior roles within IHG, Marriott, and Hilton Worldwide. His expertise extends beyond corporate realms; he actively contributes to the travel and tourism industry as an advisor to several organizations. In 2020, Haitham was appointed as a Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization). Additionally, Haitham serves as an advisory board member of the Arabian Travel Market, Global Thinkers Forum (GTF), and the Al Marjan Development in Ras Al Khaimah. He is a key member of the Steering Committee of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economy.
Haitham Mattar's remarkable achievements have been widely recognized. He was awarded the title of 'Tourism Promotion CEO of the Year' at the Global CEO Excellence Awards and was also featured in the prestigious Arabian Business 'Most Powerful Arabs' list. In addition, Haitham received the esteemed 'Leisure and Tourism CEO of the Year' accolade at the CEO Middle East Awards. His significant contributions were further acknowledged when he was honored as the 'Business Leader of the Year' at the Hozpitality Excellence Awards 2018, highlighting his impactful role in the business world.
Meela Seenarain
Dubai, United Arab Emirates UAE