Bahrain Unshaken is a series of conversations with people living and working on the island during the ongoing conflict in the region. A mixed bag of reflections, lessons, and messages of hope – the stories we share here highlight how life and circumstances changed for citizens and residents, business leaders, marketing professionals, creators, homemakers, and others. What connects them is that they are all still here, still showing up, and willing to talk honestly about what that looks like.
The aim is not to offer commentary or analysis; the series is trying to make space for real voices. To hear how people are coping, what trust and faith look like, what has changed in their daily lives, and what, if anything, has surprised them about themselves or the community around them during a period of uncertainty.
There is a version of this story that is entirely about a hospitality leader at the helm of one of Bahrain’s first five-star properties: the contingency plans, the guest communications, the operational pivot. Philipp Economou, General Manager of InterContinental Bahrain, can narrate that version fluently. There is also a version about a father of two teenagers and a dog owner navigating family life in the middle of circumstances none of them planned for.
The conflict began on a Saturday, and Philipp was not on site yet. His first move was to check in with his team and make sure they were safe. After that, he drove to the hotel.
“In moments like these, you instinctively go into human mode before leadership mode,” he says. “Once I knew they were okay, I was able to shift my full focus to the hotel, our guests, and our colleagues.“
Once there, the priorities were straightforward. Safety, then communication, then making sure every department had what it needed. Contingency plans were activated, messaging was tightened, and the focus was on keeping staff and guests informed and secure.
“Clarity and calm decision-making are essential,” he says. “My immediate priority was to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests and colleagues.“
Disruptions and navigating uncertainties aren’t new to this hospitality leader. The past few weeks, however, have taught Philipp some important lessons.
“You learn that in times of uncertainty, people don’t just look for direction. They look for reassurance,” he says. “Presence matters more than process.“
In practice, that has meant being visible in the lobby, listening to colleagues who are unsettled, and paying attention to the mood of a room before the contents of a report. He describes leadership during this period as being less about the decisions and more about how people feel while those decisions are being made.
At home, a different version of the same work continues. He has two teenage kids who quietly seek parental presence to process the shifts.
“You’re not only processing things yourself but also helping them [the kids] make sense of what is happening around them,” he says. “It’s about keeping conversations open, staying calm, and creating a sense of normalcy despite the circumstances.“
The family dog, he adds, has been more sensitive to the sudden noises. It is the kind of detail that paints an honest picture of how a conflict filters into a household.
“Those small, grounding moments bring perspective and remind you of what truly matters,” he says. Outside of work, he keeps things simple. Boxing clears his head. Family time recharges him.
For Philipp, staying was not a difficult decision.
“My role is to support my team, our guests, and the wider community,” he says. “This is when leadership matters most, not just in moments of success, but in moments that require stability, reassurance, and commitment.“
Bahrain, he says, is home. The professional responsibility is one part of it. The personal attachment is the other.
What has surprised him is how the community has responded. The support for local businesses, the way residents have looked out for one another, and how proactive the Kingdom has been in protecting and defending its people.
“It’s a reminder of the spirit that defines Bahrain. Calm, connected, and resilient in the face of uncertainty.“
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