Dr. Essa Faqeeh
Chief Executive Officer
Al Areen Investment Co.
What’s next for Al Areen Palace & Spa?
Al Areen Palace and Spa is a unique luxurious place where we focus on the guests to experience the blend of relaxation and pleasure. It features 78 luxuriously appointed pool villas that impressively showcase mesmerizing Arabian charm and offers the travel connoisseur complete privacy in an alluring, peaceful haven that is rich in both spirituality and culture. We have recently upgraded our Spa and Wellness with a concept called “Live Your Life” where you get exclusive treatment and unique products under one roof. ‘Live Your Life’ is one of the world’s most extensive and awarded wellness centers in the Middle East spread over 10,000 square meter featuring single and couple treatment rooms, hydrothermal garden, vitality pool, ice igloo, foot spa and garden Hammam. Our focus is not only entertaining the guests but also caring for their healthy living and wellbeing.
What are your plans for the upcoming Formula 1?
We have created special deal and packages to attract regional and international F1 guests with many added values. Every year, we are expecting to achieve 100% Occupancy during this important event, and we have scheduled a few entertainment plans for our guest for the upcoming F1 event. Our guests will enjoy free transfers to and from BIC along with many added benefits.
What advice do you have for people who are about to venture into this field today?
Opportunities are big in this sector. Bahrainisation is at 21%, which means there is a 79% opportunity for job seekers. Tourism and Hospitality are a growing sector especially in Bahrain and opportunities are widely open for those with vision, enthusiasm and those who are ready to learn and accept changes. With good interest in the sector coupled with educational knowledge leading to experience will definitely find the right opportunity and future. We always encourage Bahrainis to take interest in what they do and with a clear development plan they can easily reach to their goal.
Tell us something personal, what have you always enjoyed about the hospitality industry?
I am thoroughly enjoying being committed to tourism and hospitality sector. Hospitality and tourism management is all about what we do every day, the passion about energy, excitement, updates and upgrades, changes, and satisfaction. I indeed enjoy myself and the happiness of others.
Upgrading the quality in Tourism and Hospitality sector in Bahrain to a remarkable level is my first priority. My team and I are really working on to make it happen and we are already implementing at present.
The reason why I love hospitality so much is simple: it’s fun and enjoyable. All the dynamics, all the shifting with different responsibilities and the feeling you have when you start involving in action and ending up with success, it’s more than satisfactory at the end.
In conclusion, the hotel industry is a pretty interesting and pleasant domain to get involved in. As any other job, it has its ups and downs, and that’s the greatest part of it: there is always a place for innovation and there will always be innovators.