Bani Haddad (IMHI 2000) is currently Managing Director at Aleph Hospitality,  and he kindly agreed to share his experience with us.

AAIMHI: What is your fondest memory of your time at IMHI?

Bani: My two years on campus were filled with amazing moments. As for most of us, many aspects of my journey at IMHI are unforgettable and it’s difficult to select one. But I guess my best memories are all linked to time spent with classmates and the administration team. From working throughout the night on a group project to partying at one of the legendary events organised at ESSEC, we had great moments of laughter and camaraderie. I am very nostalgic of these times.

AAIMHI: Tell us about your journey after IMHI?

Bani: Right after graduation, I was lucky enough to join Disneyland Paris where I spent a year in the corporate office, following which I took over operational responsibilities and got involved in the opening of the Walt Disney Studios – Paris and then as an opening General Manager for one the Disney managed hotels.

In 2005, I left France to join an IMHI alumni in Dubai, Thierry Loue, who was setting up a hotel management company to develop and run budget hotels in the Gulf. It was an amazing learning curve with regards to fund raising and structuring but most importantly setting up and growing a company. It helped me move to my next journey with Wyndham Hotel Group. In 2008, I opened and ran the regional office for the Middle East & Africa and remained with the company for eight years. During this period, we grew the portfolio from 12 to 49 operating hotels and expanded our footprint to Africa. I got to discover and learn a great deal about this amazing continent.

In 2015, I finally took the decision to go the entrepreneurial route and established Aleph Hospitality as the first independent hotel management company in the Middle East & Africa. Since then, I was joined by Neil George, another Cornell Alumni and early 2022, following a strong growth period, we managed to secure additional funding from a strategic institutional investor which helped us take the company to the next level. I am proud to say that today Aleph Hospitality is the regional market leader.

AAIMHI: Which subject/skill that taught at college has proven to be the most important in your career?

Bani: I’d like to think they were all helpful and useful in many ways. There are however three areas which proved to be very important, especially in the last seven years in my journey as an entrepreneur: accounting, business law and marketing.

AAIMHI: What have been your biggest high and low to date?

Bani: I have recently heard some of our General Managers and other colleagues expressing their desire to retire with Aleph. This made me very proud; it means that we managed to build a great organisation.

On the other hand, having to deal with the pandemic’s effect earned me some sleepless nights…these were surely the most difficult years in my professional life.

AAIMHI: What is your outlook for the industry for the next 40 years?

Bani: I strongly believe the hospitality industry will look very different in two main areas: Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability. There is no escape from being ethically sound when it comes to travel and tourism. For the upcoming generation of travellers, technology, AI and Sustainability will be key decision factors when it comes to where they travel, stay and who do they work with.

AAIMHI: Which advice you would give your younger self and future graduates?

Bani: To my younger self: Travel more and build a wider international network.

To the future graduates: I hope you will find a job that you can be passionate about and remember that the key to success is perseverance.