IHG Hotels & Resorts appoints Haitham Mattar as Managing Director for India, Middle East & Africa

Leadership update at IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Haitham Mattar as Managing Director for the India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA) region. The appointment, effective from 18 April 2021, highlights the company’s focus on strengthening leadership as it continues expanding its presence across emerging and established travel markets.

In his new role, Mattar will oversee both operations and development across IHG’s regional portfolio, guiding strategic growth initiatives and enhancing partnerships with hotel owners and stakeholders.

Extensive experience in hospitality and tourism

Mattar brings more than 25 years of experience across hospitality, tourism development, and destination marketing. His career has included senior leadership positions across both the private and public sectors in the Middle East tourism ecosystem.

Before returning to IHG, Mattar served as Senior Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, where he contributed to the development of the country’s long-term tourism strategy aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a global travel destination.

Driving tourism strategy in Ras Al Khaimah

Prior to his advisory role in Saudi Arabia, Mattar served as Chief Executive Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. During this period, he helped shape the emirate’s tourism strategy and positioned Ras Al Khaimah as an international adventure tourism destination.

Working under the vision of Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Mattar led initiatives that promoted the emirate’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and outdoor experiences to international travellers.

A return to IHG leadership

Mattar is also returning to a company where he previously spent more than a decade. Between 2000 and 2011, he held several leadership roles within IHG across operations, commercial strategy, and sales and marketing in the IMEA region.

In his new position, Mattar will be based in Dubai and will report to Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA).

IHG’s expanding presence across IMEA

IHG Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its portfolio across India, the Middle East, and Africa. The company currently operates 165 hotels across eight brands in the region and has a development pipeline of more than 100 additional properties scheduled to open over the coming years.

IHG’s brand portfolio in the IMEA region includes:

• InterContinental

• Crowne Plaza

• Hotel Indigo

• Holiday Inn

• Holiday Inn Express

• Staybridge Suites

• voco

• Six Senses

These brands collectively cover multiple hospitality segments including luxury, lifestyle, premium, essentials, and extended stay.

Leading the next chapter of growth

As Managing Director for the IMEA region, Mattar will focus on driving IHG’s growth strategy across development and operations while supporting recovery and expansion in the travel and tourism sector.

With strong demand for hospitality across India, the Middle East and Africa, IHG aims to continue strengthening its brand presence and delivering world-class hospitality experiences to travellers across the region.