During his latest visit to Egypt, we had the chance to make an online interview with Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East, Marriott International. We were very intersted and keen to know what Sandeep has in his mind about Egypt and how he saw the Egyptian properties and Egyptian hotels managemnts staff.
What about your latest visit to Egypt and your impression about it
Egypt has always been a fascinating destination. I have had the opportunity to work in this incredible market and have always been mesmerized by the destination. That feeling has not changed, Egypt still remains as one of the most sought-after destinations and its excited to see how the hospitality landscape in the country has progressed.
It was great to visit our two latest additions, The St. Regis Cairo and The St. Regis Almasa. St. Regis is one of the most recognized and sought-after luxury hotel brands in the region and we are excited to introduce the brand in the country with these two jewels.
The most exciting and satisfying part of my role is the opportunity to meet and spend time with our people.
Our associates in Egypt have amazing passion and energy which is what brings our hotels and brands to life. They are at the forefront of our guests experience and it’s amazing to witness how they continue to adapt without compromising on service levels and our guest’s experiences. So, it was great to spend time with them and hear how they continue to innovate and create memorable memories for our guests.
Overall, the trip only reassured our optimism about Egyptian tourism industry.
If you think that your hotels and resorts in Egypt are different, let us know how and why
Our legacy in Egypt dates back five decades. Today we have of 18 properties across eight well-positioned brands in this market, including properties such as The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, Sheraton Soma Bay Resort, Cairo Marriott Hotel and JW Marriott Hotel Cairo. Our portfolio in the country spans a wide range from luxury to lifestyle and from resorts to city hotels. We have a brand for every traveler and every segment of travel.
We recently introduced the St. Regis brand country, which is one of the most time-honored hotel brands in the world. The St. Regis Cairo is located on the banks of River Nile in the north end of the Corniche. With the opening of The St. Regis Almasa, we are the first international operator to open a property in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt which is slated to be the new face of Cairo and the administrative and financial hub of Egypt. Both properties will elevate this destinations luxury hospitality landscape with its remarkable design, uncompromising service, and exceptional culinary venues.
In 2018, we re-branded the legendary Mena House set against the magical backdrop of the mighty Pyramids of Giza, with 359 rooms under the Marriott Hotels brand and will add another 126 rooms under the JW Marriott brand next year upon completion of the Palace renovation.
These are just a few examples of how our properties are supporting the growth of the hospitality industry in this market.
How do you see the future of the Egyptian tourism and what will your hotels share in this future?
Egypt remains as one of the most awe-inspiring and sought-after destinations in the world. Looking ahead, we’re optimistic on the travel and tourism industry of Egypt because all signs show there is a huge pent-up demand for travel. And as more travel corridors open, this destination will be a top choice for regional and international travelers.
Our teams in the market are focusing their efforts on driving demand and working harder than ever before to give our guests confidence to travel with peace of mind. They also continue to innovate and provide services that suit the latest travel trends and better meet our consumers’ changing needs.
Egypt is an important market for us in the long-term.
We currently have eight projects in our development pipeline and continue to look for opportunities to further grow our portfolio.
With the new capital and new projects in Allamen, and Marsa Alam, do you have plans for more properties in these areas?
We are currently well-positioned in Egypt however we continue to explore opportunities across all primary and secondary markets in the country.
How do you find the Egyptian hotels management and staff?
There is a strong spirit of hospitality in this destination and our associates showcase that on a daily basis in our hotels. We have amazing leaders and teams across our properties. The past year has not been easy for the industry however our teams in Egypt remained resilient and found ways to adapt and innovate to meet our customers evolving needs.
How do you see the Egyptian arrangements with the Covid Pandemic
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the travel and hospitality sector in Egypt and across the globe. It has not only had a significant effect on our business but also on how we operate our hotels. Our hotels have responded with a continued focus on health and hygiene and by adapting their business models.
Egypt has been gradually easing pandemic restrictions since the beginning of June, in efforts to restore normalcy and boost domestic tourism.
Egypt’s cabinet eased guest limits for hotels as well as restaurants, cinemas and theaters to 70% of their capacity from 50% as corona-virus cases decrease – this has helped our operations.
We are also starting to see positive demand from key GCC markets and Eastern Europe. Looking ahead, we’re optimistic that travel will return when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in many of our markets.
Did you expect to see what you saw
I knew what to expect from my trip due to my experience with this market, as well as from the amazing teams we have across the country. However, I would say I saw more than I expected. It was great to see first-hand guests from other markets in our hotels, showing us there is a pent-up demand for travel and that will only grow as restrictions ease and source markets open up. Finally, the welcome received by our associates was very heartwarming and it was the highlight of the trip. I look forward to making more opportunities to visit this incredible destination.
