Hussein Hatata, a seasoned hospitality professional with more than 35 years of experience, currently holds the position of Vice President – Hotels Division for Al Khozama Management Company, a property development, management and investment company owned by King Faisal Foundation (KFF).
Hatata joined Hotel Al Khozama, Riyadh in 1978, assuming a number of operational and managerial roles. In 1997, he led the launch of the 5-star Abha Palace Hotel on behalf of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, simultaneously acting as Rooms Division Manager for Hotel Al Khozama.
Promoted to Hotel Manager in 1999, he became an integral member of the team responsible for launching the 5-star luxury Al Faisaliah Hotel, a Rosewood Hotel. Hatata was equally instrumental in introducing the famed butler service concept to the Middle East. In 2003, he led the opening of Al Faisaliah Residence, a prestigious apartment development in Riyadh, converted to an exclusive 5-star facility in 2011 – Al Faisaliah Suites – featuring 106 contemporary suites, a ladies spa, and the fashionable modern Italian restaurant La Cucina.
As Vice President – Hotels Division for Al Khozama Management Company since 2005, Hatata has helped implement the organization’s ambitious expansion strategy into key cities across the Kingdom. In addition to managing Al Khozama-owned facilities in Riyadh, he has successfully enlarged Al Khozama’s hotel management portfolio to include Al Shohada Hotel in Makkah, Al Faisaliah Hotel in Madinah, and Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina in King Abdullah Economic City, north of Jeddah. Most recently, he has overseen the signing of management agreements for two new luxury hotel properties in Al Khobar, scheduled to open in 2015.
Hatata’s expertise, leadership, and foresight regarding the future of the hospitality industry in the region contributed to the success of Al Khozama’s Initial Public Offering in 2006, as well as its subsequent private placement round.
In 2009, he won the Arabian Business Achievement Award, Leadership in Hospitality, from ITP Dubai. He has also been annually recognized by Hotelier Middle East, since 2010, among the “Power 50” most influential people in the Middle East’s hospitality sector and among the “Arab Power 20” most influential people in the global hospitality sector.
A graduate of Lausanne Hotel Management School, and holder of a Bachelor Degree in Hotel Management, Hatata has completed management programs at Cornell University, USA in addition to the American Hotel & Motel Association hotel operations program.
Abdulaziz S. Al-Habib currently holds the positions of Managing Director and Acting CEO for Al Khozama Management Company, a property management and investment company owned by King Faisal Foundation (KFF).
KFF is a philanthropic organization in which Al-Habib has assumed the dual role of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Investment Officer since April 2003.
Responsible for driving Al Khozama’s expansion strategy across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Al-Habib most recently facilitated two new properties scheduled to open in Al Khobar, Eastern Province in 2015, and the recent opening of the first hotel in King Abdullah Economic City in the Western Province, the Bay La Sun Hotel.
A highly regarded leader in business, finance, and operations across a range of industries, Al-Habib is a valued member of several committees, and holds chairmanship and board directorship positions at more than six organizations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These include Alfa International, Zajoul Communications, Sale Co. International, Arab Printing & Publishing House and Sharat Co. Al-Habib is currently Managing Director of Al Khozama Trading Co. and Metal, Silver & Golden Industries Co. Ltd. in Riyadh.
From 2009 to 2011, Al-Habib held the position of Acting Vice President for Finance, Administration, and Advancement at Alfaisal University in Riyadh.
A Bachelor of Science graduate in Accountancy from California State University, Sacramento, USA, Al-Habib has attained his Certified Public Account (CPA) qualification from the State of Illinois, USA, and is a member of the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA). In addition, he is a certified facilitator and examiner of Six Sigma Quality Management (Black Belt).