NEW DELHI: The world’s leading hotel chain IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed industry veteran Haitham Mattar as Managing Director for India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA) with effect from April 18, 2021. Haitham, who has been in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, tourism will drive IHG’s business in the region and will have “both development and operational responsibilities in a portfolio of 165 operational hotels and a pipeline of over 100 luxury properties and cover Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials and Suites. ”
IHG currently operates 165 hotels across 8 brands in India, the Middle East and Africa including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, voco ™ and Six Senses. Another 102 are in the development pipeline, open within the next three to five years.
Haitham Mattar is moving to IHG Hotels & Resorts from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism. Prior to that, he was CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority for four years. Haitham previously worked at IHG from 2000 to 2011 in various departments such as operations, trade and sales and marketing in IMEA.
Kenneth Macpherson, IHG CEO for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, said, “I am delighted to welcome Haitham back to IHG and to lead our business in IMEA at a crucial time for the travel and tourism industry … his knowledge is diverse Experience as well as cross-continental and local know-how will be of inestimable value as we try to continue our recovery. ”
Haitham Mattar said: “I am very excited to be joining the IHG family again and having the opportunity to lead such a diverse region with enormous potential. The tourism and hospitality landscape in IMEA has changed significantly over the past few years, giving us a tremendous opportunity to offer world class hospitality options to both national and international travelers. Building on IHG’s strong track record and growth plans, I look forward to working with the team and our partners as we look forward to the next chapter of traveling the region. ”