BUSINESS
Managing Resources Looking at the world of hotel and hospitality through the Eyes of CONSULTANT Aziz Awlya Serving pilgrims was not only Aziz Awlya’s family heritage but it’s the only job that makes him truly happy. After working in banks for many years, Aziz Awlya followed his heart and worked in the hotel and hospitality industry. This was when he fulfilled and continues to fulfill his dreams. He recently sat down with Destination magazine editor Jala Mohamed to discuss the hospitality industry’s future. Can you give us a brief insight into your background?
main services, hotel consultancy, strategic studies for international brands that I’m a sales manager at the would like to operate in the Hilton Hotel. I also run my Saudi market and thirdly, own business “Rubaiyat” real estate development. with two other partners. I Speaking of real estate carry a Bachelor’s degree in development I actually have English from Umm Al Qura a big surprise coming up. University. And I’m currently We are now working on a studying for my MBA in residential fenced compound Prince Sultan College for in Makkah. The main aim of Tourism and Business. I this compound is to provide spent my childhood traveling its residents with a friendly a lot with my parents. So I and clean community. We attended many international will provide more details schools in different countries about it very soon. including Bahrain, Italy, the UK, Turkey and most of the What inspired you to work GCC countries. in the hospitality industry? Can you provide us with a description of your business? Rubaiyat provides three 28 DESTINATION JEDDAH
Coming from a family that worked as Motawifs (religious tourism) for centuries, I wanted to follow their route and carry on this
family heritage. I had the urge and need to do what my ancestors did as in feeding, sheltering and guiding the pilgrimage. Through my experience in the hotel and hospitality business, I took the international standards and tweaked it into the local market to improve the services given to pilgrimages today. What makes you different from other businesses that provide your same service? The knowledge we have is what makes us truly unique. We see the hotel and hospitality market crystal clear. We don’t promise our clients success, we guarantee them success. We reached this level of confidence