Page 18 - MARRIOTT BUZZ NO. 3 - 2015

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I N T E R V I EW
How did you feel being part of the US Business
Mission to Egypt?
First of all, it gave me a great sense of pleasure to
see so many people representing diverse industries
and businesses in the US, all of them committed to
supporting the economic development of Egypt.
Where does Marriott International fit in the
context of the most recent political and social
developments in Egypt?
Since January 2011, Egypt has had some tough years,
especially in the travel and tourism sector. Tourism
slowed down, hotels closed, people lost their jobs,
times were challenging, but throughout all of that,
Marriott International never stopped supporting our
properties in Egypt, whether through our regional
resources or through our global operations.
We believed, and still believe, in Egypt; in its
competitive edge over other major touristic and
investment destinations, and we are proud to be
contributors to the future of this nation and its
people. We employ 5,000 people in Egypt, who work
WE ARE COMMITTED TO
#activ8egypt
Alex Kyriakidis is President and Managing
Director, Middle East & Africa, for Marriott
International, Inc., with responsibility for all
business activities in the Middle East & Africa
Region (MEA), including operations, sales and
marketing, finance and hotel development.
Mr. Kyriakidis joined Marriott in 2012 and has 38
years’ experience providing strategic, financial,
operational, asset management and integration
services to the travel, hospitality and leisure
sectors. He has served clients in 25 countries,
mainly in the EMEA and Asia/Pacific regions.
Mr. Kyriakidis is a fellow of the Arab Society of
Certified Accountants, the British Association
of Hotel Accountants and the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
He holds a BSc degree in computer science and
mathematics from Leeds University in the UK
and is based in Dubai, UAE.
Mr. Kyriakidis spoke to ‘Buzz’ magazine on his
recent visit to Cairo on a U.S. Business Mission.