Ghassan Al Khatib
It is Monday, 31 May, Season 4, Episode 2 of “Monday motivation – Felix asks”. In today’s article, I am taking you to Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates with almost 3 million inhabitants. (Source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/dubai-population)
As per Wikipedia, Dubai has the second most five-star hotels in the world, just behind London, which comes as no surprise.
Our guest today is one of our industry's extremely creative minds. He has more than 20 years of experience in sales, business development, and partnership in luxury travel, tourism, and hospitality. During these years, he built an extensive network of Royalties and High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI). I am glad to welcome today Ghassan Al Khatib, the founder of & ELITE.
I know Ghassan from several trips to Dubai while working for Escapes DMC as Supplier Relations & Product Development Manager – Luxury Travel. It was always a delight to listen to him and his marvelous ideas. He was always working on innovative projects intending to offer his clients unique experiences. Thus, his collaborations with some of the biggest international fashion brands. Since the beginning of this month, Ghassan started his own company, & ELITE, a luxury travel concierge and lifestyle company. With his own company, he builds on his strong network, which includes Royalties & HNWIs.
"The main focus is delivering the highest level of customer service, expertise, safety and customisation possible to luxury travellers to live out their diverse passions through exceptional experiences that are designed and delivered.”
During the interview, we discussed the start of his career, his definition of hospitality, and what it takes to start in our beautiful industry.
Talking to a person like Ghassan, empowered with creativity, innovation and out-of-the-box thinking plays another major part in why I love my job so much. It shows me the beauty of our industry time and again, and how lucky I am to meet all these inspiring people.
Please enjoy the read and do not forget to #sharepositivestories
Question 1: Where did you start your career? What do you love most about your current role?
Ghassan Al Khatib (GAK): “I have always worked with well-respected brands since day one starting with Hyatt Regency Jeddah - Saudi Arabia as a Sales Executive (Winter 1999) followed by InterContinental, Four Seasons, Rotana Hotels, and finally at The Mayfair London as their Regional DOSM Rep for MENA region.
I just launched my brand (& ELITE) which is very much dedicated to servicing Royalties and HNWIs in Travel, Concierge and Lifestyle. Reaching royalties as clients would be everyone’s target however maintaining such a great relationship for many years will be love to what I do and success.”
Question 2: What does hospitality mean to you?
GAK: “Hospitality is everything in my life. 21 years and will never let go of this beautiful industry. It is to know how to understand clients, know what to offer them, how to service them, be pro-active, be out of the box, attentive and present yourself and your brand in professional manners.”
“It is to know how to understand clients, know what to offer them, how to service them, be pro-active, be out of the box, attentive and present yourself and your brand in professional manners.”
Question 3: What is the most beautiful/exciting moment in your career so far?
GAK: “Winning 5 awards at IHG Global for creative ideas related to client services. I would also add the successful projects I initiated by combining travel, lifestyle and fashion.”
Question 4: Have you had a mentor in your career? Who was it, and did she/he give you a piece of advice you still follow?
GAK: “Yes I did. I had 2 great mentors in my career life. Rafique Izhiman and Rabih Akar.
I will never forget what I have learned from each one of them. They were both similar in terms of customer approach, sales techniques, professional approaches and how to be smart in dealing with different people (partners and clients).”
Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality/ tourism student/professional who recently started his/her career, at this right moment?
GAK: “I would say: Please make sure you chose this field because you love it and have passion for it. You would be in the wrong place if you picked tourism and hospitality for a certificate you want to get. We are all in this for the love of it. It is not just a matter of a job and salary, yes, these counts, however, LOVE it and you will succeed. I graduated in Marketing yet worked in hospitality and tourism since day one because I LIVE IT :)”
“We are all in this for the love of it. It is not just a matter of a job and salary, yes, these counts, however, LOVE it and you will succeed.”
Question 6: Which industry expert would you like to see to answer these questions as well?
GAK: “Maybe Pradeep Raman, the GM of Baccarat Hotel NY or the CEO of AMAN Hotels.”
Optional: What is your favourite travel destination and where would you stay there?
GAK: “Monaco at either Hotel Metropole or Hotel de Paris.”
Thank you for taking your time to read the entire article. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to share it or leave a comment.
Ghassan, thank you for participating in my little project, and I cannot wait to welcome you to Germany.
Best wishes and talk soon,
Felix
