MATTAR OF FACT

Haitham Mattar, MD-IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts has a straightforward plan to power through tough times – protect all stakeholders, manage stable revenues, rationalise operating costs and stay flexible

- VINITA BHATIA

India has a special place in Haitham Mattar’s heart, and he can’t wait to revisit the country. During his past trips to cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Agra, Goa and Kolkata, he was enthralled by the vibrant culture, cuisine, history and heritage each place had to offer.

But more than that, he was awed by the remarkable resilience the people displayed and the nation’s capacity to survive challenging circumstances. “I definitely plan to visit India in the next few months and look forward to meeting our team and partners in person,” Mattar animatedly revealed. This will mark his first trip to the country after taking charge as IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director for India, Middle East and Africa in April 2021.

Interestingly, this is Mattar’s second stint with IHG – an organisation he was associated with for 11 years from 2000 to 2011 in various operations, commercial, sales and marketing positions in IMEA. Returning to its fold during COVID-19 impelled him to reinvent and replace several traditional management principles with innovative practices, in an era dictated by a social-distancing crisis.

COMRADES IN ARMS

A tour of India will also present Mattar with the opportunity to meet IHG’s owner partners, many of who reposed their faith in the company, recognising the long-term prospects of the sector. Backed by their conviction, the hospitality chain could expand its portfolio in the country and now, Mattar too is looking towards recovery with confidence as the market dynamics improve further.

Hotel owners had a tough time dealing with the recent black swan event. Staring at declining revenue and gross operating profits, they were forced to take some tough calls, from pruning operational processes to reducing staffing, and even reconsidering the fees paid to hotel management companies.