Walid Bassiouny
Aseer,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Hotel Operations | Asset Performance | Pre-Opening Leadership
Saudi-based hospitality executive with 20+ years of leadership experience across full-service hospitality assets in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, spanning hotel operations, pre-opening, commercial performance, regulatory governance, and owner-facing leadership.
Directed comprehensive compliance governance across Rooms, F&B, and guest experience departments, achieving 100% audit pass rates and mitigating all operational risks.
Experienced in aligning operating performance with financial objectives, asset readiness, service standards, and long-term value creation.
Commercially disciplined and operationally strategic leader with strong exposure to owner reporting, stakeholder alignment, regulatory engagement, and cross-functional execution in complex hospitality environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
1
1
CHA - Certified Hotel Administrator by AHLEI
Work history
Hotel General Manager | Pre-Opening
Nivel Hotel (5-Star)
Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
08 2022 - current
- Directed full pre-opening execution, including operational setup, departmental structuring, policy development, staffing, training, and service readiness which led to occupancy increase up to 90 %
- Led cross-functional hotel operations across Rooms Division, Food & Beverage, Engineering, Housekeeping, Front Office, and Guest Services to ensure operational efficiency and service excellence.
- Oversaw budgeting, resource planning, departmental cost control, and operational expenditure alignment in coordination with ownership and department heads.
- Supported commercial positioning through operational readiness, service delivery optimization, and alignment with revenue-driving guest experience standards.
- Led hotel licensing and regulatory compliance, including Ministry of Tourism requirements, Civil Defence coordination, audit preparation, and operational approvals.
- Established operational governance frameworks, SOPs, performance controls, and service standards across departments.
Reported operational performance, business priorities, compliance status, and asset readiness directly to ownership. - Led multicultural workforce performance through structured leadership, coaching, accountability, and service culture development.
- Oversaw HACCP implementation, food safety controls, health & safety compliance, and quality assurance systems across hotel operations.
- Prepared hotel for inspections, audits, and classification requirements through full operational readiness and documentation control.
Front Office Manager | Pre-Opening Team
Braria Hotels & Resorts
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
04 2017 - 12 2019
- Supported pre-opening and operational launch of branded hospitality assets in Riyadh, with leadership responsibility across front office operations, service delivery, guest experience, and operational coordination.
- Participated in pre-opening setup and operational launch for hotel assets in Riyadh.
- Led front office operations, guest service standards, and interdepartmental coordination during launch and stabilization phases.
Supported operational planning, team readiness, service procedures, and front office controls. - Coordinated closely with Rooms Division and operating departments to ensure seamless guest journey and service delivery.
- Contributed to operational structure, process consistency, and service performance during pre-opening and post-opening phases.
- Cultivated professional environment through effective staff management.
- Assisted guests during their stay, creating positive experience.
- Streamlined front office operations for improved efficiency.
- Managed inventories of office supplies-ensured availability of necessary items at all times.
- Identified skills gaps and arranged relevant training to upskill clerical team.
Front Office Manager
Island View Resort
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2015.10 - 2016.04
- Directed front office operations for 550-key resort with high-volume international guest mix.
- Improved guest satisfaction through service quality control, complaint resolution, and operational responsiveness.
Coordinated closely with Rooms Division to improve room readiness and operational flow. - Supported rooms optimization initiatives and service delivery consistency across peak occupancy periods.
Front Office Manager | In Charge of Rooms Division
Sharm Grand Plaza Resort
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2010.01 - 2014.12
- Led Front Office and Rooms Division operations for large-scale resort property and participated in operational opening activities.
- Oversaw Front Office and Rooms Division operations for 547-room full-service resort.
- Participated in hotel opening execution, operational planning, and guest readiness.
- Managed high-volume international guest flow while maintaining service standards and operational discipline.
- Coordinated cross-functional room operations to support guest satisfaction and occupancy performance.
Front Office Manager | Dual Property Oversight
Jaz Resorts – Jaz Solaya & Jaz Dar El Madina
Marsa Alam, Egypt
2009.01 - 2009.11
- Led Front Office and Rooms Division operations for large-scale resort property and participated in operational opening activities.
- Oversaw Front Office and Rooms Division operations for 547-room full-service resort.
- Participated in hotel opening execution, operational planning, and guest readiness.
- Managed high-volume international guest flow while maintaining service standards and operational discipline.
- Coordinated cross-functional room operations to support guest satisfaction and occupancy performance.
Assistant Front Office Manager
Grand Plaza
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
08 2006 - 01 2009
Front Desk Supervisor
Coral Beach Tiran Resort (Rotana)
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2002.03 - 2006.06
Telephone Operator
Pyramisa Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2001.03 - 2002.03
Telephone Operator
Conrad International
Hurghada, Egypt
2000.03 - 2001.03
Education
Bachelor’s Degree English Language - Arts & Languages
Tanta University
EgyptSkills
- Profit & Loss (P&L) Management
Full financial responsibility, budgeting, forecasting, profitability, and cost control - Revenue Management & Commercial Strategy
ADR, Rev PAR, occupancy optimization, pricing strategy, business development, and market positioning - Hotel Operations Leadership
Multi-department management (Front Office, Housekeeping, F&B, Engineering, Finance, Sales & Marketing, HR, Security) - Guest Experience & Service Excellence
Guest satisfaction, online reputation management, service recovery, and luxury hospitality standards
- Strategic Business Development
Corporate accounts, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions), sports hospitality, partnerships, and revenue growth - Leadership & Team Development
Recruiting, coaching, performance management, succession planning, employee engagement, and organizational culture - Quality, Compliance & Risk Management
HACCP, Health & Safety, Ministry of Tourism compliance, food safety standards, SOP implementation, and audit readiness - Owner Relations & Asset Management
Working with hotel owners and investors, financial reporting, capital planning, operational improvements, and long-term asset value
Certification
- Certified Professional Hotel Manager by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia)
- Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) – AHLEI / AHLA
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor by IQCA
- ISO 22000 Food Safety lead Auditor by CQI-IRCA
- HACCP Level 2&3 – Highfield Institute
- Training of Trainers (TOT) – Saudi TVTC
- OSHA 30-Hour Health & Safety by OUSHA
- Diploma in Operations Management – Alison / CPD London
- Cornell University – Managing People More Effectively COURSE
- Irish Development Institute – Professional Development Program for Hospitality Managers
Languages
Arabic – Native
English – Fluent
Italian – Intermediate
Russian – Beginner
Quote
There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream, or desire a reality.
Tony Robbins
Timeline
Front Office Manager
Island View Resort
2015.10 - 2016.04
Front Office Manager | In Charge of Rooms Division
Sharm Grand Plaza Resort
2010.01 - 2014.12
Front Office Manager | Dual Property Oversight
Jaz Resorts – Jaz Solaya & Jaz Dar El Madina
2009.01 - 2009.11
Front Desk Supervisor
Coral Beach Tiran Resort (Rotana)
2002.03 - 2006.06
Telephone Operator
Pyramisa Sharm El Sheikh
2001.03 - 2002.03
Telephone Operator
Conrad International
2000.03 - 2001.03
Hotel General Manager | Pre-Opening
Nivel Hotel (5-Star)
08 2022 - current
Front Office Manager | Pre-Opening Team
Braria Hotels & Resorts
04 2017 - 12 2019
Assistant Front Office Manager
Grand Plaza
08 2006 - 01 2009
Bachelor’s Degree English Language - Arts & Languages
Tanta University
References
References available upon request.
Executive Career Highlights
- Successfully led the pre-opening and operational launch of a 96-room full-service hotel.
- Managed 112 employees across 8 operational departments.
- Held full responsibility for P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance.
- Increased hotel revenue by 30% through conferences, corporate events, and strategic business development.
- Reduced operating costs by 20% while maintaining exceptional service standards.
- Achieved the highest ADR in the Aseer Region through effective commercial and revenue strategies.
- Maintained consistently strong occupancy performance for the regional market.
- Ranked No. 1 in Southern Saudi Arabia for Food Safety, Water Safety, Health & Safety, and Brand Standards based on Cristal International audit results.
- Achieved No. 1 guest satisfaction across Booking.com, Google Maps, and other online travel platforms.
- Successfully hosted approximately 40 professional sports teams and national delegations, establishing the hotel as a preferred destination for sports training camps.
- Received multiple awards and recognitions from government entities, Booking.com, and sports organizations, including recognition from the Saudi Football Federation.
- Successfully obtained Ministry of Tourism licensing and Civil Defense approvals while ensuring full regulatory compliance.
Recognitions
- Government recognition
- Booking.com awards
- Saudi Football Federation Shield
- Additional hospitality and quality recognitions
- Ministry of Interior – Civil Defense Sector
- King Khalid University
- King Saud University – Abha Office
- Aseer Health Cluster
- Intimaa Charitable Endowment
- General Presidency of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
- Ministry / Regulatory Liaison
- Team Leadership & Performance Culture
- Guest Experience & Brand Standards
- Audit Readiness & Quality Systems