35 top women in hospitality
HN shines a spotlight on 35 of the top female hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs in the Middle East, to find out what advice they have to offer their juniors and what they think are the advantages of being a member of the fairer sex in this rapidly evolving industry. Ranging from an eye for detail to empathy and the ability to multitask, here’s what they said... H.E. Rania Al-mashat Minister of Tourism
As Egypt’s first female Tourism Minister, her excellency holds a PH.D. and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland, US. Her distinguished career abroad saw her eventually return home after being officially elected in 2005 as sub-governor for monetary policy at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). AlMashat comments on the role women play in the tourism and hospitality industry saying, “At the beginning of this year, I was informed by a representative of the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-sisi, that he wanted me to run the local tourism industry with a principal focus on the economic side of the sector. It was a huge assignment as that industry represents 10 percent of Egypt’s GDP and employs more than two million workers. As for my advice to women in this industry, I truly see no difference when it comes to ability to perform between both genders. Yet despite the fact that the industry is comprised of 80 men, the one and only thought on my mind while on my way to the office, is getting the job done in a clear and focused manner. In 2011, the tourism industry witnessed a transformation that today saw the creation of economic women empowerment programs in line with the industry’s sustainable development goals. And I am happy to report that due to this and other initiatives, women today have plenty of opportunities to become part of this important industry. We are also working with various hotels to create inviting and more fitting career opportunities for them.”
H.E. Lina Annab Minister of Tourism and Antiquities
Prior to assuming her ministerial post in June 2016 Minister Annab was the general manager of Zara Investment Company (Holding). She was also a member of the board of directors of various private and public shareholding companies in Jordan. She represented the private sector on the 'Employment –Technical Vocational and Education Training Council (E-TVET Council)'. She was a member of a number of selections and judging panels for renowned awards and fellowships in entrepreneurship and leadership. Until recently, Minister Annab represented the private sector on the Board of Directors of Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) as well as on the 'Economic and Social Council'. Over the past 20 years, Minister Annab has held various positions at Citibank, Johnson &Johnson, and the International Monetary Fund. She holds a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy and Foreign Languages and Literature.
Nada Sardouk Director General
After obtaining a BA in French Language and Literature from the Lebanese University, she immediately began to teach what she had learned in the midst of a civil war. Unrelenting in her quest to highlight the wealth of the printed word, she went on to become a lecturer in French literature, while also devoting her time to pedagogical questions. Her career takes a new turn when she, in the early 2000s is appointed as the first female to head the directorate general position at the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism. Her unwavering belief in the country’s tourism industry saw her promoting Lebanon as a go-to regional touristic hub. She went on to attain a DEA in linguistics from the University of OrleansTours and published a number of books on the subject. She has also been awarded the knight's insignia of the National Order of Merit by the French government. Sardouk comments on the role women play in hospitality saying, “Women represent the majority of employees in the tourism field because they are a huge asset to this industry. That is why they should master the different aspects of their working environment. They should surround themselves with a professional team, acknowledge their weakness, face their failures, embrace their responsibilities and be proud of their achievements. Women do things with great passion and that constitutes their main drive. Add confidence to that and you get a winning formula for success.”
Ulrike Andorff General Manager
“Start learning the basics and obtain in-depth knowledge of all hotelrelated departments. Ensure consistent achievements, as these have proven to be the main drive related to revenue. Furthermore, improvement of guest satisfaction as well as talent development go a long way when it comes to organic growth. Passion, flexibility, patience and an eye for detail are traits women master. They are also more caring and service-minded. Any female who likes an interesting, colorful and exciting work environment is therefore designated for the always-rapidly-changing hospitality industry.”
Emma Banks General Manager
“Keep your finger on the pulse at all times to stay well-informed; you must be willing to work hard as the hours can be brutal; continuous innovation in such a dynamic marketplace is key. It is imperative to have a solid understanding of when to invest and make money and when to walk away.
There are very few ‘leaders in heels’ in our industry, yet it has been proven that businesses with a gender-balanced team offer better perspective.”
Laura Lahoud General Manager
“This type of profession calls for everything to be perfect, which is why women will have to be available round the clock, especially on weekends and holidays. Furthermore, they will need to pay tremendous attention to every detail and know how to present the brand to everyone equally well.
The female touch is always welcome in the hotel business. Taste, perfectionism, attentiveness and social skills are all great attributes. A woman will take care of a hotel just as she does her own home, and this is her advantage.”
Simone Höch General Manager
“Enthusiasm for socializing, helping and serving people is often the one key attribute in the hospitality sector. Employers in hospitality, leisure and tourism will also be looking for an array of ‘soft’ character traits, such as, communication skills, empathy, teamwork, commitment and flexibility.
I do not think there is any difference between a man and a woman in this industry. Personally, being a woman did not hold me back. However, I do believe that in any work environment, you have to push yourself, go that extra mile and dedicate yourself to the job.”
Katrin Herz General Manager
“I feel very honored to be the first female Ritz-carlton general manager in the Middle East region and I am very grateful to Oman and the Omani Ministry of Tourism for giving me the chance to manage the famous Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-carlton Hotel. My advice is, you can have it all, but you cannot do it alone. You need to surround yourself with the right people at work and at home!
The hospitality industry is a people business; empathy and caring for others is in our genes.”
Maram Kokandi General Manager
“Every woman should exude confidence, speak her mind whenever the need arises and, most importantly, never give in to her fear of taking risks or new challenges. Stay focused, insist on getting the relevant education, keep an open mind and be ready to go where the opportunities are.
My position affords me the opportunity to create and raise awareness about the situation of Saudi women in the industry, which is very challenging and promising. Keep in mind that women are detail-centric and therefore see their immediate surroundings in a more elaborate fashion.”
Hala C. Massaad General Manager
“You need to first believe in yourself, have passion to accept all the challenges and be detail-oriented to see the opportunities and foresee the problems. Be flexible, diplomatic and persistent. Dare to take new challenges, keep cultivating your mind and your PR skills. Finally, keep smiling!
Women, by nature, can multitask, which is a major advantage. They can also act from a macro perspective and take sound business decisions on a micro perspective. This helps them deal with challenges in an innovative and humane way.”
Dagmar Symes General Manager
“Be fearless and open to new experiences, while surrounding yourself with people that inspire you. Ask for what you deserve, engage in transparent communication with an authentic human approach. And of course, support other women on the way.
As a female general manager in a male-dominated field, I use my position and positive perception to influence and encourage others to achieve their best selves and this is achieved through introducing highly creative initiatives and focusing on activities that encourage team bonding.”
Ghada Sadek General Manager
“Exude confidence in dealing with professionals of all levels. Make full use of networking functions. Learn and understand the other’s mindset, taking into account their culture and profession, which will help you engage in different scenarios and navigate the various challenges encountered, while inciting new business opportunities and career growth.
Women today are more empowered and engaged in strong decision-making. They possess that natural disposition of taking care of something as if it were their own and in so doing, govern better.”
Eleni Tsolakou General Manager
“Studies show that women entering hospitality companies today will have more opportunities for upward movement into top executive positions than past generations. Women will have to be ready to explore challenges and make sacrifices. Competencies in areas of business growth are: cost and expense reduction; negotiating deals; motivating and coaching; loyalty; and retention programs.
Women have multi-tasking abilities that help them set priorities and adapt to changing conditions more swiftly than men. Skills like empathy, intuition, optimism and emotional intelligence, as well as emotional self-awareness, conflict management, adaptability and teamwork, constitute competitive advantages.”
Nayla Audi Owner and General Manager
“Irrespective of the industry, women have to be very cautious. Being inexperienced is no excuse for being naïve. Even with an impeccable academic background and extensive work experience, they are going to be taken advantage of. Sadly, this is a global attitude.
The advantages are overshadowed by an infinite number of disadvantages. However, on a more positive note, women have the ability to bring people and ideas together. We also possess a profound understanding of beauty and esthetics. Equality and fairness are other elements we bring that elevate the entire experience.”
Hala Audi Beydoun Founder and Owner
“Be patient, because this profession drains all your energy and almost prevents you from having any kind of social life. Yet after 18 years in F&B, I still look forward to going to the kitchen every morning. Apart from being satisfying, albeit challenging, decorating desserts and catering to special events allows me to explore and push myself to the delicious edges of my ‘gourmande’ being.
Being a mother, a wife and a business owner isn’t easy, but our passion for all three helps us find the balance.”
Christine Assouad CEO
“Dedicate yourself to something you are passionate about, since we in hospitality spend most of our time at work. Have a clear vision and surround yourself with talented individuals from whom you can learn new things. Always try to do things differently, think outside the box, break some rules and do not be afraid to fail. Lastly, keep the financials in check, as getting all worked up about a project can often prove distracting. I do not see any difference between men and women, as both genders are fully capable.”
Joanna Debbas Owner
“Be prepared to work extremely hard. It’s a competitive market with demanding consumers. Stay away from gimmicks and provide good quality, as well as consistent products. Manage your risk, don’t over-invest, look for partners who can complement your skill set and provide extra capital.
I think each person has his or her own vision. It’s not about being a woman or a man, it’s about having a clear and well-thought-out vision of what you want your restaurant to look, feel and taste like.”
Zeina El Eid Chairman and General Manager
“Working in the industry for quite a while has taught me that nothing is easy, especially when it comes to our highly competitive and oversaturated market. As such, the need to be dynamic is a must, the ability to change is key and allowing yourself to follow your intuition truly pays off.
Any person bent on entering the industry needs to employ creativity, be it strategically, conceptually or aesthetically. Female entrepreneurs possess a boundless ability to do just that; whatever you give a woman, she will make great .”