When you love what you do, success is never far behind

For Walid El Haddad - General Manager, InterContinental Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia - a driving force in his career journey in the luxury hospitality industry has been passion.

“If you love what you do and you have a vision for what you want to achieve - that’s an ideal recipe for success” says Walid.

With a career spanning 25 years, Walid’s hands-on experience, education and training has helped him implement new initiatives, bring creative ideas to life and introduce the InterContinental brand to a whole new generation of guests.

A dynamic combination of education and experience

“When deciding which career path to take, something that stood out to me is that I’ve always enjoyed interacting with people. 

I decided to study for a BA in hospitality at university, while also working part time in a restaurant to gain experience in the industry. During this time, I realised that providing exceptional experiences, bringing customers joy and making them smile was my true calling.

Following the completion of my degree, I then went on to study for an MBA - which was focused on hospitality marketing and management - as well as gain a Project Management certificate. These accreditations broadened my skillset, to help me to pursue a leadership role in the industry.

I began my full time career in luxury hospitality as a Director of Food and Beverage in 2006, before taking on my first General Manager role in 2016. 

My first involvement with IHG was in 2022, while I was working as owner representative for the conversion of the first Vignette Collection hotel in the Middle East. This was a key moment in my career and a big achievement, establishing a new brand in a dynamic location.”

Growth, training and implementing new ideas 

“After completing the Vignette project, I decided to join IHG in my current role as General Manager, InterContinental Al Ahsa. 

Having already worked alongside the company, I was familiar with IHG’s reputation for innovation and admired its focus on providing exceptional guest experiences and creating a supportive work environment.

Right from the outset, including the recruitment experience itself, IHG’s commitment to employee growth was very clear. This ethos is embodied in its ‘Room to Grow’ initiative, which prioritises training and career development.

Structured development plans, mentoring opportunities, extensive training and clear pathways for internal mobility are all provided. As someone who values growth and moving forward, as well as the ability to mentor and develop my team, this greatly appealed to me.

Since joining, the training given has supported me in implementing changes, making creative decisions and bringing overarching visions to fruition.

One of our ambitions has been to introduce a new generation of guests to the InterContinental brand in Saudi Arabia, including both international and local visitors. 

The tourism landscape in the region is continually evolving, so it’s important that our property and services maintain the highest standards, while also catering to emerging trends and demographics.

This includes young, affluent travellers who may not have considered visiting an InterContinental before. By focusing on their needs and interests, we’ve been able to implement a number of upgrades to ensure our property is a destination of choice for these guests.

One example is the food and beverage ‘landscape’ the property offers. When our chef creates a menu for example, he will include details from local cuisine and culture, while also maintaining a fresh and modern influence.

As well as this, we’ve opened an entertainment space showcasing sport and live music, which serves as a social hub and we have also established a retail experience, where guests can purchase gifts to take home, including local produce.”

Working together to make a difference

“My team and I have also been focusing on sustainability, in line with IHG's mission to implement more planet-friendly solutions globally and as part of its ‘Room to Make a Difference’ ethos.

This is also in keeping with wider local and international goals, such as Saudi and the Middle East’s Vision 2030 - which aims to unite stakeholders in the fight against climate change.

Some of the improvements we’ve made include: switching to LED lighting; upgrading our taps to more water efficient models; and cutting down on plastic and paper usage in the process of preparing the property for Green Key Certification.

All of these upgrades not only benefit the environment but have a positive impact on the property’s operational efficiency and reputation. It’s both a practical choice and a crucial component of long term success in the luxury hospitality sector. 

We have also forged partnerships with local food banks to help reduce waste and support community welfare, reflecting our commitment to social responsibility. 

My team and I also take part in IHG’s ‘Giving for Good’ month in September, which is a wonderful chance to contribute to charity initiatives. Last year, we worked with local children’s charities and the experience was an extremely rewarding one.”

Inclusivity and a sense of belonging

“It’s inspiring to work for an organisation with a clear vision and I see my General Manager role as a pivotal one, in terms of helping to bring this to life. It’s achieved through the positive changes and initiatives we implement, as well as fulfilling day to day tasks with a sense of pride.

Everything my team and I do, we do with passion - working together towards a shared goal and supporting each other on that journey. Whether that’s becoming more sustainable and socially minded, or providing guests with a best-in-class experience.

IHG’s ‘Room to Belong’ ethos summarises this perfectly - the company provides an inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued on the path to achieving both individual and company-wide ambitions.

The future will always bring unpredictable challenges and opportunities, but I can be certain that whatever my next steps are with IHG, I will always feel that sense of belonging and an unwavering passion for what I do.”