We recently had the opportunity to interview Shady Elias Boueiry, a creative hospitality veteran and the CEO of Elite Hospitality Group, a leading Hospitality Company in Lebanon that owns and manages different Hospitality Brands and Concepts. Shady also heads as the Managing Director of the MENA region at Continent Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
As a highly experienced team leader, Shady Elias Boueiry strategically develops plans focused on guest satisfaction and service enhancement. With a successful track record in introducing innovative ideas that boost sales and advance businesses, Shady excels in hotel pre-opening expertise. In this interview, the CEO shares his professional journey, visions of his company, offering unique services, and offers a glimpse of his business plans.
Genesis Of Shady’s Professional Journey
We were intrigued to learn how Shady Elias Boueiry started his journey in the field of hospitality. So, we asked, “Could you describe your career journey and the pivotal experiences that shaped your path to becoming a leader in your industry?”
Shady shared, “Growing up in a business-oriented family, I was influenced by my father’s catering work in Saudi Arabia and my uncle’s role as the CEO of MGM Grand Mirage in Las Vegas. This led me to begin working in the field at a young age, starting as a waiter and gradually gaining experience in catering and hotels. I pursued a degree in Business Administration, specializing in Hospitality Management, at Notre Dame University, a respected institution in Lebanon’s hospitality sector.
In 2002, I began my hotel career as a night manager at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Lebanon. However, after three years, the assassination of Mr. Hariri led to a decline in tourism, prompting me to work as a room division manager in Africa for the Riviera Group. I stayed with the group for seven years, eventually becoming a general manager overseeing three properties.”
He added, “During this time, I introduced new B2C channels to the country and was recognized as the youngest GM in Africa. I then joined the Golden Tulip Group, opening properties in Lebanon and South Sudan, before moving to Saudi Arabia in 2013 to open the Golden Tulip Dammam. I also used to hold the position of COO for the MENA region at Swiss International Hotels.
Swiss International was a turning point in my career, I created a solid team where we operated and developed over 22 properties in the region. In 2022, I decided to start my own Business and develop my company in Beirut where I signed a JV with Continent Worldwide and started the development process of the brand in the MENA region. Today we introduced three brands in the MENA region and signed 14 properties between KSA, UAE, Libya, and Lebanon.”
Preserving The Company’s Vision
To learn more about the evolution priorities and visions of Shady’s business, we inquired, “As your company has grown and faced various challenges, how has your original vision evolved to meet these changes?”
He shared, “I do believe that with every challenge there is an opportunity created, the challenges we faced during this period were a lesson to overcome any future challenges, We learn, and we are still learning, the most important thing is to keep the company’s vision alive, communicate with your team, set plans and do intensive training for your crew members to motivate them and create opportunities with every challenge.”
Fulfilling Market Gaps
We further asked, “Was there a specific moment when you identified an unmet need in the market that inspired you to start your venture? How did you turn that idea into reality?”
“Our company works in franchising and granting license agreements for third parties, this business is booming so much in the market, however, there is a gap all companies in the field are falling into, and mainly hotel stakeholders do not need such brands, especially in already existing local brands.
We created flexible brands that met the owner’s expectations, increased stakeholders’ trust and expanded our family of brands while delivering high standards to the owners.” Shady responded.
Spark Behind Crafting Unique Experience
To stand apart from the competition, offering unique services and experience to clients is paramount. We asked, “With so many players in your field, how does your service offering distinguish itself? Could you share the inspiration behind one of your key services?”
Emphasizing the rules of flexibility, Shady Elias Boueiry reflected, “As stated previously, competition is high in our industry, but we became the owner’s preferred brand by being flexible and different. We deliver high ROI to the investors through our powerful reservation systems, our team works side by side with the hotel management to deliver the highest ROI to the owner. We work in partnership with investors and get involved in every single aspect of the business.
On another note, Continent Worldwide delivers efficient systems to the hands of the property that increase the production and quality of service, our Central Reservation System is our key success factor that generates over 40% of the property’s total revenues.”
Opting For A Sustainable Approach
Sustainability and social responsibility are critical in the current business world. To understand how Shady Elias Boueiry adds these elements to his services, we asked, “How have you integrated these principles into the fabric of your company, and why do you think it’s essential for your sector?”
“Nowadays, we see a lot of companies working on sustainability, but in fact, sustainability exists in our daily routine, for example keeping low employee turnover at any company is sustainability, increasing the yearly ROI for investors is sustainability, delivering the highest quality service is sustainability, creating a career path of our crew members is also sustainability.
Every successful business must prioritize sustainability, incorporating social, economic, and environmental aspects into their operations.” Shady Elias Boueiry replied.
Redefining Businesses With Technology
Fast-paced digital transformation is playing a crucial role in every industry. So, we asked, “How is technology playing a role in helping your company move forward?”
He shared, “Technology is today’s key player, the more you invest in technology the better your company will flourish, we invest a lot in technology to deliver an experience for our guests and high returns for our partners, Technology has become the basics in our business and the competition nowadays between all international brands is in the technology, the more each brand invest in the technology the better it can expand its portfolio and gain owner’s trust.
We incorporate hospitality technology in our daily operations, including guest communication and in-room dining. Our integrated operating system and loyalty program, ‘Prestige Rewards’ enhance guest experience. The field is wide and we constantly stay updated with new technologies impacting our industry.”
Expansion Of The Business
To learn Shady’s perspective on taking his business to the heights of success, we asked, “As we look into the future, faced with both opportunities and uncertainties, how are you positioning your company to not just survive but flourish?”
He replied, “When I decided to establish my company, I insisted on having the head office in Beirut. In later stages, we established our branch offices in Sultanate Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Despite political and economic instability, Beirut remains a top business destination. In Lebanon, we focus a lot on the uncertainties and we put an advance action plan for it. After two years we have three established companies in three different destinations and all resulted from the major decision we took to open in Beirut.
In the last two years, we expanded our roots and became key players in the market, our company was nominated as the best 10 companies in Beirut for the year 2023. I strongly advise all business owners to establish their companies in Lebanon, the ground is solid for the tourism business, the talents are there and the opportunities to grow globally are at ease.”
Business And Upcoming Plans
Lastly, to have a glimpse of Shady’s upcoming plans for his business, we asked, “Tell us more about your company, and plans.”
“Elite Hospitality Group is a Lebanese company established in 2022 that works at all aspects of the tourism industry, the company owns and manages hotels and restaurants globally with over 16 brands in its collection. The company works in franchising, and retail business and owns two restaurants in Beirut while granting franchise for 22 properties globally.
We recently established our Travel & Tourism business under the name ‘Elite Travel & Tourism’ that works in both Incoming and Outgoing travel packages. We are also in preparation for establishing our car rental business and B2B online portal that will be executed in the year 2025. Our vision for the hospitality industry is high, our dreams are big and our goal is to be an International leading hospitality company covering all aspects of the business.” Shady Elias Boueiry concluded.
Follow Shady Elias Boueiry on LinkedIn.
Find Continent Hotels & Resorts Worldwide on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.continentworldwide.com/
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