Waleed Al Malki has been newly promoted to Director of Sales for Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. With his rich experience of the local market and as the property’s Director of Sales – Government Affairs and Protocol, Waleed will help the property find new market niches, improve performance, expand into new feeder areas, generate higher profits and solidify the brand’s position in the fierce business market of Riyadh.
Waleed joined the hospitality industry in 2003 as a Front Office Agent. He quickly moved up the ladder to the position of Front Office Supervisor in 2006, then as Front Office Manager from 2012 until 2018. He gained experience working at different hospitality chains; namely, Marriott Riyadh, Al Faisalliah, The Ritz Carlton and Nobu Riyadh (pre-opening), before making the move to Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya in 2016 as the Front Office Manager.
After demonstrating his interest and showcasing his talent in sales, Waleed had the opportunity to join the Hyatt cross-training program to expand his skills, after which he joined the department as the Director of Sales – Government Affairs and Protocol in 2018. In 2022, after consecutively exceeding budget goals, strengthening client relations and retaining their loyalty, and expanding the hotel’s business, he was promoted to the position of Director of Sales.
Syed Wali Shah, Commercial Leader for the property, said, “Waleed continually developed strategic action plans and explored new markets and segments that resulted in phenomenal results for the hotel. His hard work, dedication and talent broadened his skillset in-line with the Hyatt focus on KSA market. In addition, Waleed has played a key role in recruiting and training a team of young Saudi talent within the team, in alignment with the Vision 2030’s theme of building a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. We have immense confidence in him to reach new heights with all that Kingdom has to offer with its ever-changing landscape of tourism.”
