The Hotelier Middle East Awards 2013 named recently Wael Maatouk of the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh as Hotel Manager of the Year.

“Our team members are our biggest asset and our success can be attributed to the high quality and standards they champion,” Maatouk said while receiving the award.

The category was judged on the strong leadership skills exhibited by the candidates over the past year as well as the potential to be a GM in the future through understanding of operations, team and guests.

Maatouk was adjudged the best among 600 nominees, representing the brightest hospitality talents in the Middle East. He was awarded for his innovative, intelligent and committed leadership of the hotel and for ensuring a motivated team and smooth hotel operations.

He stood out from the crowd for driving Ritz-Carlton Riyadh's high customer satisfaction score and for securing the hotel's leading position in the MEA for full guest engagement.

Maatouk said that the hotel's guest engagement is always led by the hotel's team, so it is very important for every member to be trained and driven, committed and engaged with the guest at every single step and every single service.

Maatouk joined the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh in December 2010 as part of the pre-opening team. He has been instrumental in turning the 493-room and suites hotel with 745 staff.

With over 15 years of experience in the hotel industry, Maatouk graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hotel Management from the University of Quebec and is currently pursuing an MBA in leadership and management degree from Ecole Superieure des Affairs-ESA.