The crème de la crème of the travel industry gathered at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco recently to honor individuals and companies for their distinctive contribution to international hospitality at the acclaimed Grand Final of World Travel Awards 2015. Guests of honor at the event included Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Dr Lahcen Haddad and Maldives Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer. Renowned as an industry hallmark of excellence, the awards celebrate the personalities and commercial successes of the travel industry. At the 2015 Gala Ceremony, the World Travel Awards Academy presented a unique and celebrated honor to Hussein Hatata, Vice President, Hospitality Division - Al Khozama Management Company, whom they considered to be one of the industry's most influential characters. Named as the ‘World's Leading Exemplary Hotel Personality', Hatata has been formally recognized for his distinctive contribution to hospitality excellence over the past years. A holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management, after studying at Lausanne Hotel Management School, Hatata has completed management programs at Cornell University, US, and the American Hotel & Motel Association hotel operations program. Hatata is a seasoned hospitality professional with almost four decades of experience. Over the last 10 years, Hatata has been instrumental in developing and activating the Al Khozama's expansion strategy at a domestic and international level. Hatata said: "It is with great honor that I receive the award bestowed on me by the World Travel Awards Academy. I have long admired the World Travel Awards as an institution and recognize the value and accreditation it brings to the industry. Throughout my career I have been privileged to work within an excellent team and witness the great strides and developments within the hospitality industry. With strong backing from the company's board of directors, chairman and the president, and a diversification of the hospitality products on offer, we look forward to further expanding our presence regionally and internationally." President of the World Travel Awards Graham Cooke said: "This special award recognizes Hatata's contribution as ‘equal to a company'. His visionary approach has made it possible for the group to have 10 properties under its hotel management portfolio. In April this year, he seamlessly integrated the company's three owned properties into the management portfolio after negotiating a successful transition. His continuous contributions to hospitality excellence have transformed the hospitality offerings in general in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region. Although he has completed 37 years with the same organization, he continues to play a strategic role with a clear vision in driving Al Khozama's ambitious expansion strategy into key cities across the Kingdom and beyond."
