Nagy H. Arafat
Houston, TX *****
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nagyarafat/Cell: +201*********, E-Mail:****.******@*****.***
Vice President of Hospitality/Cluster Hotel & Resort General Manager Area GM
An accomplished hospitality management professional with over 25 years of multicultural experience in the Hospitality sector across pre hotel opening, resort management, streamlining operating procedures to achieve operational excellence with full budget and P&L accountability. Key custodian of quality assurance in different resorts and driving the team towards achieving desired results. Customer focused, highly successful in building relationships; developing procedures, service standards and operational policies, planning & implementing effective control measures to reduce running costs of the units. Proven people management skills coupled with professional competencies in mobilizing and judiciously managing resources with structured inputs in the domains of planning, scheduling, delivery, and monitoring. A visionary leader, excellent communicator, negotiator and mentor with high work ethics, time management & task prioritization skills, coupled with an aptitude to focus on the minute-most details, delivering effective cost savings and driving operational excellence by streamlining the processes.
SKILL AREAS: Strategic Planning ● Hospitality Management ● Business Development ● Hotel Asset Management ● Manpower Management ● Policies & Procedures ● Operations Management ● Budgeting & Forecasting ● Process Reengineering ● Audits & Inspections ● Communication & Presentation ● Operational Excellence ● Process Improvement ● Change Management.
Professional Milestones
Augmented catering sales by $7M, extended lounge sales by 35% over two years with 54% profit margin and created over 21,000 restaurant customer counts at Dearborn Inn Michigan by Marriott.
Realized company recognition for the most fruitful year in the history of the International Region from JW Marriott.
Patented Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and enhanced weekend occupancy to 90%.
Overhauled the F&B menus in InterContinental Resort, growing sales by over 250% across five resort dining facilities, and deliberately settled as well as opened a new café generating over $3M Riyals annually.
Abstracted a new state-of-the-art conference and entertainment center exploiting sales by 30% a year for four consecutive years in Bay La Sun Hotel and Marina.
Attained resort rating from #232 to #6 within one year of grand opening and received 5 stars for Holiday Check.
Leveraged 70% of international sales trips to upsurge revenue by $68M by the third year at Sharm El Sheikh Marriott.
Strengthened failing brand standards and established a 92% score rating after four years of failure under alternate management, growing revenue by 217% to $126M annually.
Rehabilitated Associate Opinion Survey from 26% to 91% in first year of assignment on the job at Sharm El Sheikh Marriott.
Accomplished the Spirit of Service Award of the year from Mr. Marriott for guiding the cleaning of Sharm El Sheikh Red Sea Shore and eliminating over 6 tons of debris with the assistance of PADI International Diving volunteers.
Opened New York East Side Marriott, 11/90 & Indianapolis Radisson Plaza Hotel, 4/96.
Consumed the honor to attend as charter member of the President’s Committee of the Marriott Diversity Workshop.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Blue Stars for Touristic Investment-Cairo, Egypt (November 2022 to Present) Director of Business Development of the Company and Managing Director of Oyster Bay Resort and Spa.
Responsible for upholding successful company operations by implementing business strategies and fostering business relationship, reviewing operational data and financial statements to track the progress of business initiatives and hiring Department Directors to guide the company Executives in areas like accounting, sales, marketing and HR.
Andorra Hotels and Resorts -Riyadh by Bawani, KSA-(April 2021 to November 2022) Vice President of Hospitality, new opening, and creation of brand.
Building the brand of Andorra hotels and resorts by Bawani consist of 1200 units, initiated on an area of over 520,000sq.m, Andorra compound comprises of five types of estate and luxury villas as well as three types of apartments, all inspired by modern architectural designs, suited for society with different needs, tastes, and lifestyles. Andorra brand will ensure complete comfort in a unique setting. Within the compound, The hotel will consist of 329 rooms, rising with 110 hotel rooms, 108 serviced apartments, 11 standards 3-bedroom villas, 7 deluxe 3-bedroom villas and 3 villas with luxurious 4 bedrooms with a private pool.
Porto Said Resort & Spa -Port Said –(Dec 2019- Dec 2020) Egypt,Cluster General Manager, Pre-opening
A project of over 4000 units includes 174 rooms Resort and Private Sporting Club. Implemented daily operations for the luxury resort and spa including room accommodations, food & beverage services, and amenities, conceptualized and executed unique concepts related to experiences and dining’s at the resort which resulted in achieving highest standards of customer service norms and increase brand value. Defining service standards and guidelines that serve as benchmark for excellent service delivery for the company, thereby contributed towards ameliorated service revenue generation. Contributed in obtaining necessary licenses and approvals in the related process associated with regards to opening the resort by driving effective engagement with relevant authorities.
Extended Stay America, Galleria, Houston, TX, USA (Dec 2018 –Dec 2019) -General Manager
Developing and implementing strategy to exceed revenue budgets, increased footfalls, and brand loyalty by managing overall infrastructure of hotel business, ensuring to achieve highly profitable operations.
Strategizing policies & procedures in the operating systems and training and motivating the front-line staff to deliver 100% guest satisfaction, organized & conducted practical training programs to enhance team skills and motivational levels.
Defining service standards and guidelines that serve as benchmark for excellent service delivery, thereby contributed towards ameliorated service revenue generation.
Increasing profitability and business reach by exploring new partners in associated markets by driving sales and marketing initiatives and increasing the length of stay for guests and thus emphasizing on hotel revenue.
INTERCONTINENTAL RESORT and Spa, Riyadh, KSA (Mar 2017 – Mar 2018) General Manager-Pre-Opening
Implemented daily operations for a luxury resort and spa including room accommodations, food & beverage services, and amenities.
Drove significant efforts in executing new strategies to generate revenue and plans logistics to host large scale events with over 7,000 attendees and multitude high-profile royal events.
Made vital contribution in recruiting, training, and mentoring high performance employees.
Improved brand reputation through promoting excellent customer service.
Bay La Sun Hotel and Marina, KAEC, Saudi Arabia, (Mar 2013 – Mar 2017) Cluster General Manager, Pre-Opening
Contributed to obtaining necessary licenses and approvals and the related process associated with regards to opening a resort by driving effective engagement with relevant authorities.
Delivered continuous operational & process improvements, conceptualized short term strategies, and built, created value to resort operations as well as to its owner by growing and improving the profitability, performance, and value of resort operations.
Spearheaded budgetary requirements and developed cost module to ensure effective utilization of funds in running the operations, ensuring quick response to guest complaints for service recovery.
Conceptualized and executed unique concepts related to experiences and dining’s at the resort which resulted in achieving highest standards of customer service norms and increase in brand value.
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
Sunrise Grand Select Arabian Beach Luxury Resort, Sharm Elsheikh, EGYPT (Nov 2011–Mar 2013) General Manager-opening
Sharm El Sheikh Marriott Red Sea Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (Aug 2007 – Nov 2011) Cluster General Manager
Cairo Marriott Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino, Cairo, EGYPT, 1250 rooms (Apr 2006 – Aug 2007) Hotel Manager
Intercontinental Hotel Group, Jeddah, KSA (Jan 2005 – Apr 2006) Regional Director of Food and Beverage
Riviera Marriott La Port De Monaco (Sep 2004 – Dec 2004) Hotel Management Expert Trainer and Concept Developer
Dar Al Tawhid InterContinental Hotel Makkah KSA (Aug 2002 – Aug 2004) Director of Food & Beverage
Crowne Plaza Jeddah KSA (Mar 2000 – Aug 2002) Director of Food & Beverage
Radisson Hotel O’Hare Chicago Illinois (Apr 1999 – Mar 2000) Executive Assistant
Radisson Mart Plaza Complex Miami Florida (Dec 1993 – Apr 1999) Complex Director of Operations and Executive Assistant
The Dearborn Inn by Marriott Michigan (Jun 1991 – Dec 1993) Director of Food & Beverage
J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa California (Aug 1990 – Jun 1991) Food & Beverage Manager
Jeddah Marriott Hotel KSA (Jul 1986 – Aug 1990) Director of Food & Beverage
Marriott Marco Island Resort, Marco Island, FL (Oct 1984 – Jul 1986) Manager – Restaurant Complex
Dayton Marriott Hotel, Dayton, OH – opening (Jan 1982 – Feb 1983)
Banquet Maître D’ (Nov 1982 – Feb 1983)
Manager – Beverage & Specialty Restaurant Complex (Jan 1982 – Oct 1982)
Des Moines Marriott, Des Moines, IA –opening (Jan 1981 – Dec 1981) Assistant Manager – Specialty Restaurant
Chicago Marriott Downtown, Chicago, IL (Jan 1980 – Dec 1980) Lounge Manager
Marriott’s Tan-Tar-A Resort & Golf Club, Osage Beach, MO (Jun 1979 – Dec 1979) Assistant Manager/Trainee
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CREDENTIALS
Ph.D. in Philosophy of Hotel/Restaurant Management & Tourism, LA Salle University, LA, May 2002
Master of Hotel/Restaurant Management & Tourism, LA Salle University, LA
Bachelor of Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management, Miami, FL
Seminars
Hotel Food Preparation/Service; Loss Prevention Training; Train the Trainer; Conflict Management; Introduction to Management; Effective Counseling; Management by Objective; Budget Preparations; Marriott Quality Improvement Process Phase I/II/III; Marriott Leadership Skills; Six Continents leadership workshop, Winning Edge Radisson Sales Foundation/Advance: 7 Habits – Steven Covey; Yes, I Can, Radisson; Room’s Training Crowne Plaza Jeddah
Attended the Marriott General Managers Aspen Institute program that targeted primarily at full-service hotel general managers property senior Executives of the Marriott focus on The Challenge of competition
Awards:
Recipient of several distinguished awards from Haute Grandeur and International World Travels including Best Family Resort in the Kingdom, Best Corporate Resort Award in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia’s Leading Luxury Resort. Haute Grandeur Award – 2017, Best Corporate Resort in Saudi Arabia Haute Grandeur Award – 2017, Best Family Resort in the Middle East World Travel Award – 2015, Saudi Arabia Leading Destination Hotel RevMax Cairo Certificate – 2010, Revenue Maximization Workshop-JW Marriott Gold Award – 2008, Best 5 Star Hotel-MENA-Marriott Inspiring Performance Award – 2008, UKIMEA – Marriott Mustang Award – 2008, UKIMEA-Marriott Most Improved Brand Standard Audit – 2008, UKIMEA – Marriott United States Southern Command Certificate of Appreciation – 1997 Pursuit of Excellence Certification – 1989
Technical Skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, House Computer Operation: Opera, Hotel Key, Night vision, and House Accounting: Sun
ORGANIZATIONS:
Hotel Sales Management Association (HSMA). Le Chaine De Rotisseurs, American Businessman of Jeddah – served on the Hospitality Industry Committee for 4 years.
Founder/Treasure of Food & Beverage Directors Association of Florida; appointed chairperson of hospitality schools to provide part & full scholarship to Florida International and Johnson & Wales Universities.
Served on the College Board of Henry Ford Community College and as the Chairman of the Mentor Advisory Sub-Committee 92-93.
Served as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Deaf Service Bureau of Miami, 3 years, 95-97.
Served as the Chairman of the Board of trustees of American School of Jeddah for three years.